I was
raised in a Christian home. Going to church on Sunday is as natural to me as
any other activity in my life. Some would say that the only reason I am a
Christian is because I was raised to be a Christian. It is true that my parents
are a huge factor in my spiritual life. I do not know if I would be a Christian
today without them. However, I know other people who were raised in a Christian
home, attended church, and are no longer an active Christian. I became a
Christian in 1987 when I was baptized into the Lord. I remained a Christian
because of what I have become convinced of through my growth as a Christian, my
research, and my personal study. Here are the reasons why I am still a
Christian.
1. A complicated world must
have a great Creator. I am amazed at some of the inventions of man that have
changed our lives. The automobile, cell phones, computers, and televisions are
amazing creations. When I see them I am amazed that someone could create such
inventions. I am more amazed at this world. This is a complicated creation. If
it were not in the right spot, then life would not be possible. If I told you
my house, which has complicated electricity and plumbing, was an accident and
was not the result of design, you would laugh in my face. Creation is evidence
for a Creator. To say that this world and universe is an accident is an insult
to the Creator and common sense.
2. Our current existence
proves the Creator is still active. My car is a complicated creation. I quickly
learned that my car only continues to work if someone maintains it. Deism
taught that God created the world then left it alone. This is not possible.
Created objects require maintenance or it ceases to work. Even if the world
were an accident the question must be asked, how does it continue to work as it
is supposed to? While some will cry natural law, how does natural law continue
to work correctly without assistance? For some, natural law is their god.
3. I have studied about the
Word of God. Many are making false accusations about the Bible. Most people
hear the accusations, accept them as fact, and do little or no research to
validate the claim. Even worse is the fact that the church has spent little
energy to teach people the truth about the Word of God. As a result of my
studies in college and in preparation for the pulpit, I have researched the
evidence. Though I do not have time in this article to address all the
accusations (I do discuss them in my Bible Basics podcasts found at
www.nhccfalmouth.com), I have found that these accusations are unfounded.
Actually, my faith increased when I examined archaeological discoveries, the
accuracy of the ancient manuscripts, the amazing ability of the Bible to
survive thousands of years of attack, and the influence the Bible has on this
world. When I have studied about the Word of God, I discovered the fact that
the book we call the Bible is different than any other book on the earth.
4. I have studied the Word
of God. I have spent nearly 20 years studying the Word of God for personal
devotion, preparation for sermons and lessons, and for my college studies. I
studied the Word of God for nearly 18 years at my home and church growing up.
What have I found in nearly 18 years of study: the principles and teachings of
the Word of God are true. Whether we are talking about the morals, ethics, or
personal living teachings of the Bible, when I put them into practice I found
that they were true. When I did not put them into practice, I regretted my
choices. There is wisdom and knowledge in the Word of God if we listen to it.
5. My personal prayer life.
I must admit; I have had personal moments of weakness in my life. However, God
sometimes works through our weakness. When I have submitted to Him in prayer, I
have seen Him move in both my life and in the lives of people around me. There
are things that have happened in my life that I could not explain except
through prayer and this has strengthened my life.
6. The impact of the church.
Yes I know that the church has hypocrites in it. Yes, I also know that the
church has done some things that I am ashamed of. Yes, churches and people in
the church have personally hurt me. However, I have also seen incredible love
in the church. I have seen incredible sacrifice. I have seen people minister to
others in a way that I do not see in the world. The testimony of the ministry
of the church has increased my faith that something or someone must be
motivating people to love in a way that no other group on the face of the earth
loves. Even with all of its flaws, there is no group on earth that loves the
way the church does.
7. It is a battle of
worldviews. I used to falsely believe that the argument between believers and
nonbelievers was one of evidence. In other words, the one who collected the
most evidence is the one who wins the argument. While examining the evidence
helps us see the truth, there is more to the discussion than the amount of
evidence. Our worldview impacts the way we examine the evidence. The truth is
that Christianity is in conflict with many of the popular worldviews of the day
(humanism, postmodernism, relativism, etc.). When you understand this, you can
begin to study what these popular worldview teaches as well as the results of
those worldviews. These worldviews are not new; they have a history. Examine
the teachings and the history and you will see why the Christian worldview is
superior. I am a Christian because I see the truth of its teaching.
8. I understand that I am
not good enough to save myself. Most people would not think that a minister
would say that he is not good enough to go to heaven. However, once you study
the Word of God you know the truth. One sin is all it takes to be sentenced to
hell. I have committed more sin than that. Most people would consider
themselves to be a good person if they only sinned once a week. However, if I
sinned once a week for 50 years then I have 2,600 violations against God's
moral and righteous law. If I appear before one of our judges with 2,600
violations of the law, I would expect to see the inside of a prison cell. No
amount of good deeds would cover over 2,600 violations of the law. I have to have those violations
forgiven. The Christian faith is unique in that it has a sin bearer who pays
the price of my mistakes. Other world religions have a "save
yourself" teaching, Christianity teaches that only Christ can save you. I
know I cannot save myself so I turn to the one religion that has the only cure.
These are just a few
of the reasons that I am a Christian today. Each individual has to make that
decision for himself or herself; no one else can make that decision for you.
What will you choose?
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