I am a Christian. That is fairly easy to write and say. It is more difficult to fully appreciate what that means, and is even more challenging to live like one.
What does being a Christian entail? Does it indicate only that you believe Jesus taught beautiful lessons? Or that he died for your sins in exchange for eternal life? Maybe it suggests that Jesus, the savior, our blessed benefactor, loves us so much that he – and God – wants us to enjoy a close and ongoing personal relationship with him.
What does a close relationship signify, what does that look like, and what may it actually represent?
If a personal relationship is the goal, perhaps one standard answer or description is neither possible nor adequate. By personal, this implies unique and self-contained. My relationship, by definition, cannot be precisely the same as yours.
Yet the most challenging and troubling aspect to me of being a Christian and developing a personal relationship with Christ is envisioning how I would behave in my average earthly existence. This is discouraging because my actions convict me of my sinfulness daily, if not hourly. If I were a Christian and my relationship with Jesus were strong and ongoing, I would not be so quick to anger with those around me.
For example, I recently returned from a family vacation abroad where we missed our connecting flight because one airline arrived too late and the other departed too early. The result was an unenjoyable and involuntary stay at an airport hotel. I was not pleased and I let several people know that. I was not as calm and collected as I probably should have been. I certainly was not as composed as I would expect if I were full of the spirit and a personal relationship with God.
Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers…If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish [like a timely flight home] and it will be given you.” (John 15:5–7)
James, Jesus’ brother, told us: “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.” (James 1:26)
Wow! I am 0 for 2.
Because of one mere travel inconvenience – not a tragedy – I demonstrate boorish behavior, clearly antithetical to the precepts of my religion. Can one be a Christian but not a good person? Are there gradations of Christianity? Is the phrase a “good Christian” supposed to be redundant, or does it merely indicate a maturity in one’s relationship with God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit?
In Ten Secrets for the Man in the Mirror, Patrick Morley says “becoming a believer [emphasis added] will give you a ticket to heaven, but it won’t make you a good Christian.” (p. 82)
Jerry Bridges emphasizes the point by writing in The Pursuit of Holiness: “If there is not…at least a yearning in our hearts to live a holy life pleasing to God, we need to seriously question whether our faith in Christ is genuine.” (p. 33)
Ouch! Where does this leave me? In a quandary at the very least. Many Christian writers have made it clear that by believing in Christ we are granted eternal life through God’s grace and Jesus’ sacrifice. So far, so good. However, “walking” with God, abiding in him, and having a true, deep personal relationship, which would be apparent through our actions, requires a great deal of sacrifice, persistence, and maturity. It does not happen overnight. This must be what the expression “to carry our Cross daily” represents.
Perhaps all these setbacks I exhibit are merely additional learning opportunities given by God to help me grow in my faith, become more holy, and develop a better relationship with him. Perhaps I can learn to abandon my pride when things do not go exactly the way I wish. Perhaps I can recognize that the world does not revolve around me. It revolves around God. He is the Creator. I am not, and I need to learn to sit around his table.
When I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I experience pure joy and contentment. Unfortunately, such moments seem so fleeting. Maybe the more trials I face the greater my Christian stature will become. That nettlesome James also wrote: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)
Yes, I am a Christian. It is easy to write and say. Yet it is very difficult to live like a person who is unquestionably walking hand-in-hand with his close friend, Jesus.
+++
YETMO: “You’re Entitled To My Opinion,” A Balanced Point of View
"To stimulate thought, debate, and introspection”
Fred W. Apelquist, M.Ed.
Approximately 840 words.
© July 2007