Friday, March 13, 2009

Don't you have to "do certain things" to be a Christian?

I was recently asked the question, "but being a christian you have to do all these certain things don't you? Like reading your bible, going to church, not drinking, swearing, and praying. I want a christian life that doesn't have all these rules. But I'm glad I have my whole life to make the decision on whether I trust Christianity or not."

My response to that is, "no. Christianity is not about rules - and anyone who tries that is trying to 'earn' salvation by doing a certain amount of supposedly 'proper' things and trying to do less 'bad' things.
That's wrong thinking.
Christianity is all about a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus, the person who loved you so much that He gave His life for you! His death and resurrection allows you and I to have a personal love relationship with God! God just wants you to love him sincerely and completely. What does that mean? Jesus wants the same thing at your boyfriend would want. He'd want you to spend time with him, loving him (worship at church), talk to him (pray), listen to him (read the Bible) on a regular basis. Those aren't 'rules', they're part of a love relationship with someone who loves you so very much!
And yes, you do have all your life to make that decision. But if you love someone, why would you wait until your deathbed to tell them that you love them? You'd miss out on all the joy, fun, love, passion, etc. that you could've enjoyed all your life!
Plus, I don't want to sound negative, but we never know long "our whole life" will be. You or I could die even today, and then it will be too late to 'decide'. And by 'not deciding' you've actually made a decision. You're waiting to decide to tell God 'yes', but until you do so, you've already told God 'no.' I'm praying you'll change that decision to 'yes' and continue to learn from there for a lifetime!!!