“Why should I become a Christian? Won’t it just mean no more fun?!” It’s an often repeated allegation. People see Christians saying ‘no’ to what the world calls fun stuff and assume that the title Christian basically means ‘Kill-joy’! Is it true? Yet they have misunderstood what it means to be a Christian:
- If by ‘Christian’ they mean someone who seeks to strictly conform to a morality that is found in the ‘You shall not’ lists in the Bible, then of course it sounds dreadfully dull and negative. Yet when you put those ‘lists’ in context, it becomes clear that knowing the Lord produces a much greater, deeper, lasting joy than anything the world can offer.
Last Sunday morning we heard Moses warning the people of God that as they entered the promised land that they must be ruthless with all forms of idolatry and the ‘furniture’ of pagan worship. Instead they were to recognise the privilege and opportunity of being a people reserved for God, indeed that they are His…
“…treasured possession” (Deut 7:6)
Being one of God’s people – His ‘treasured possession’ – in New Testament terms, a Christian, brings with it a whole host of wonderful blessings that the world can barely imagine:
- The confidence of Jesus promise “…surely I am with you always” (Matt 28:20)
- The reality of being a part of God’s family, the church…
- The gifts that He has given to each of us…
- The certainty of glory ahead…
And so much more!
As one of God’s people – a member of the Kingdom of God – I have not been absorbed into a sad and miserable kill-joy club, but adopted into the most dynamic, well equipped and only everlasting family there is! Praise God for His promises to us in Christ!
Spencer Shaw