Christ challenged the world. Never had there been one likened unto Him, and never will there be another like Him! His influence is upon every continent and is manifested in literature, architecture, music, art, and culture. Still, some have not dealt with the genuine issue of a personal commitment of their own life to the Lord Jesus Christ. They ask, "Why should I be a Christian?" To this question, we suggest three replies.

One's Past

"All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23).

Modern psychology attempts to deal with the inner emotional stress in mankind due to their former lives. They cannot get to the real root of the problem, for psychology cannot offer one complete escape from the convicted conscience.

Neither paganism nor Judiasm could find the remedy for sin. Their animal and human sacrifices were futile. Centuries were spent in vain attempts to find solutions to this problem. "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons" (Gal. 4:4-5). Now, there is a way out of sin!

The affirmation of the efficacy of the blood of Christ is revealed. When one understands the "shadow" sacrifices of the law bringing ceremonial cleansing, ". . . how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Heb. 9:14)

This is what I need; therefore, it is a reason for me to be a Christian!

One's Present

Life is short. Inspiration compares life to a vapor that appears for a while, then vanishes away (Jas. 4:13ff). Job said that man would fly away as a dream, and shall not be found (20:8).

Life is for living, enjoying, expecting! A.P. Gouthey said, "The most glorious thing in life is to be a Christian. The most exalted privilege in life is to have intimate daily, hourly fellowship with God."

Christianity is a new way of life, a transformed being living a God-accepted lifestyle. It is a life more than just a religion!

Alexis Carrel said, "Only religion proposes a complete solution to the human problem. Christianity, above all has given a clear-cut answer to the demands of the human soul.

For centuries it has calmed the restless curiosity which men have always felt concerning their destiny. Religious inspiration, divine revelation and faith brought certainty and peace to our forefathers."

The Apostle Paul, by inspiration, assures us, "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:6). Joy comes to one when he becomes a Christian (Acts 8:39; 16:34), and will abide with one as he walks the God-accepted course of life.

One's Future

Someone has said, "I do not know what the future will hold, but I do know who holds the future." That is very reassuring to the Christian. That confidence has permitted Christians to be faithful even unto death, because they had the promises of God.

David said, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me" (Psa. 23:4).

Jesus said, "I go and prepare a place for you" (Jn. 14:1ff). Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people, God's people. That is why I need Christianity.

Jesus is the Great Physician. Jesus is the remedy for sin. As with disease, many die who are not adequately treated. Without Jesus, one must face eternity with his own sin. But, Jesus died for me. His blood will completely wash away my sin (Acts 22:16). He is the propitiation for sin (1 Jn. 2:2). Not everyone will be saved, that is the reason I need Christ. He is the way, the truth, and the life. Without Him, I am doomed!

Patrick Henry, nearing the end of his physical life, said, "I have now disposed of all my property to my family. There is one thing more I wish I could give them, and that is the Christian religion. If they had that, and I had not given them one shilling, they would have been rich, and if they had not that, and I had given them all the world, they would be poor."

S.T. Coleridge also responded, "I have known what the enjoyments and advantages of this life are, and what are the more refined pleasures which learning and intellectual power can bestow; and with all the experience that more than threescore years can give, I now, on the eve of my departure, declare to you, that health is a great blessing; competence, obtained by honorable industry is a great blessing; and a great blessing it is, to have kind, faithful and loving friends and relatives; but that the greatest of all blessings, as it is the most enabling of all privileges, is to be indeed a Christian."

Isn't it time for us to give more serious consideration to this great question? Make a proper commitment to the Lord! Submit ourselves to Him! He is the potter, we are the clay!

Guardian of Truth XXX: 14, p. 431
July 17, 1986