Isn’t Christianity just a list of do’s and don’ts?
When a couple marry, they agree to ‘forsake all others’ and live only with the chosen life-partner. There ought to be love, life and lasting pleasure in that relationship as it grows with passing years.
In a similar way, when a person enters by faith into a personal relationship with God through Christ, there will be a forsaking of all other claims on the life. Because Christians love their Lord, they will want to please Christ. There are certain places to which Christians will not go and certain things Christians will not do, simply because they would hurt the Christ who laid down His life to save them. The Christian has been bought with a price and therefore belongs to Christ.
The Christian life is not an easy one. It involves swimming against the tide of society. Sometimes it seems to be one long uphill struggle against the evil attractions of the world, remaining evil inward desires in the heart, and the troubles that come because others are opposed to Christ and Christians. However, fullness of joy becomes the present experience of the person who is made right with God. Things that once seemed so appealing lose some of their attraction, because Christ and His Word become so precious. God by His Holy Spirit comes to live within the Christian, and He changes desires and delights. True pleasure is found in being the people we were created to be, in fellowship with God.
As a Christian, I have begun to experience the fullness of joy and do not need nor desire to chase around looking for quick-fix happiness. Christ satisfies those who know Him. Rather than rules and regulations, God’s life in the heart of the Christian is based upon a living relationship with God Himself.
Jesus said, ‘If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.’ – Luke 9:23
Grill a Christian by Roger Carswell - request your free copy!
Wouldn't you just love to grab a Christian, sit them down in the hot seat and grill them mercilessly on the tough questions about God, the Bible and the world? If you have ever wished you could have your question about God answered, then this book is for you!
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