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Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Why Am I A Christian?



         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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