Why are you a Christian?
Why are you a Christian?
Have you ever asked yourself the question why? More specifically, “Why am I a Christian?” It does us good from time to time to ask ourselves this question. Do you know the answer? Maybe another question you can ask yourself is, “Is Jesus entrusting Himself to me?”
John 2:23 says, “Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was doing.” Jesus performed great signs and miracles. These signs characterized His ministry. People were being healed and fed throughout the region in which His ministry took place. John 2:23 says that people believed in His name. This is a good thing, right?
What also characterized the ministry of Jesus is the fact that people were attracted to His gifts. They were attracted to what Jesus could do for them. They believed that Jesus could heal them and feed them. These are not bad things or evil desires even, but there is a fundamental problem with this kind of faith.
We have the same fundamental problem in the church today. There may be more people attracted to how Jesus can make them feel, fix their marriage, help them parent, fix their money issues, be a good person, good health, or to get out of hell. Again, these are not evil things to desire and can be the things that God uses to bring someone to true saving faith. However, the world wants these things as well. I am sure people will say yes if you ask anyone who is not a Christian if this stuff is desirable.
It comes down to this. Why are you a Christian? You can ask yourself the question and then ask yourself what gives me the most trouble in life? Am I more troubled about my marriage, parenting, money, being a good person, health, or getting out of hell rather than how can I get the most out of my relationship with God through Jesus Christ? Ask yourself, “Why do I read, pray, give, serve and fast?” Is it to feel good about self or to get to know your Creator more intimately?
John 2:24 says that Jesus did not trust the people who were trusting in Him. Why, because they wanted the things He could do rather than wanting to be with Him. The goal of this post is to change your thinking from wanting the gifts of Jesus Christ to wanting to be with Him. Look at all those things as secondary to being with Jesus. Look at all those things as ways God uses to bring you into a right relationship with Himself and to know Him more intimately. We cannot stop at the gifts, or we miss the ultimate goal of God, and that is to be with us.
The challenge for you and me is to ask ourselves this question, “Why am I a Christian?” We may be trusting God for His things but is He entrusting Himself to us? My desire for you and me is not to fall short of this. Let’s pursue the best gift we can get and that is God Himself. God has promised to be with us forever regardless of our sinfulness through the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ. Let’s focus on being with Him first and all else will fall into place!
