Why I Am Still A Christian

[Meditation Moment]

Meditation Moment #96
Aug-15-2002
http://www.bbc-cortland.org/medmoment/

I realize that the title of this meditation may be somewhat misleading. Therefore, let me begin by saying that I firmly believe that the security of each believer rests in the person and work of Jesus Christ and not in the strength of faith or character of works of the Christian. However, looking at life from the perspective of day to day issues, there are times when many Christians find themselves wondering if they can "keep on keeping on" or even if they want to "keep on." As the middle of August arrives I am celebrating forty-two years in the faith. It has been that long since a Sunday School teacher talked me into learning verses I did not want to learn so that I could go to a camp to which I did not want to go in order to hear a message I did not care to hear. By Tuesday night of that camp week I knew I needed Jesus Christ as my Savior. By the time I walked out of the meeting that night I knew that my sins were forgiven and that I was a child of God. I was fifteen. Now, at fifty-seven, I am still a Christian. I want to explain why.

Let me begin by telling you a few things that are not factors. First, my remaining a Christian has not been because of Christian people. I have known some great men and women of the faith. I have also known some who were considerably less than great. In fact, I have witnessed many who having given the appearance of being Christians, have since abandoned their profession (1 John 2:18-19). Beyond that, I have watched good people for the best of reasons do the worst of things. I have watched professing Christians pursue the same things the world pursues and often with the same attitudes and strategies. Often I have thought to myself at a game or a business meeting or in a conversation that I was glad I was already a Christian, because the character of that particular situation would not have induced me to become one. Well does Psalm 118:8 advise us that it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.

Nor does my remaining a Christian have anything to do with my having become a tremendous person since trusting Christ. I have not. I find that there are times when for the best of reasons I do the worst of things. I have often pursued the things of the world and, not infrequently, with the same attitudes and strategies that the world would use. Over the years some spiritual battles have been won and put behind me. Others have persisted to this day and make it necessary for me constantly to be on guard. The older I become the more I realize why, after a long and successful ministry, Paul wrote, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief," (1 Timothy 1:15). Did you notice the "am?" He did not speak of himself as having once been the chief of sinners. He understood the character of his heart. While I may give testimony to things having been learned in my walk with Jesus Christ, I cannot rise up and say that I have arrived. Sometimes it still seems as though I have just started.

Finally, my being a Christian after forty-two years is not based on the "success" of Christianity in transforming the world. It has not. In fact, some pretty nasty stuff has been done in the name of Christ and without His sanction. After reports of thousands of "conversions" in evangelistic rallies, and after scores of movements and issues around which professing believers have rallied, this world is still no closer to the Kingdom in character than it was the day Adam and Eve walked out of the garden of Eden. That fact is a surprise only to those who have not taken time to take Jesus at His word. He did not say that we would have tribulation in the world until after the apostolic era. He frankly said that in the world we would have ongoing troubles (John 16:33). He told us that there is a natural antipathy that arises in the heart of someone committed to the world when he meets someone committed to Jesus Christ (John 15:18). From Genesis to Revelation the message is clear that the world is on a collision course with the Great White Throne judgment day (Revelation 20:11). There is nothing in Scripture to encourage me to evaluate the success of the Gospel on the reformation of any society or culture.

No, when people have driven me to the point where I want to run a motel in the country (Jeremiah 9:2); when my own foibles and failures have brought me to the point of saying, "it is enough, take my life," (1 Kings 19:4); when biblical Christianity continues to show up low in the polls (Matthew 7:13-14) – there is one thing and only one thing that keeps me keeping on. It is the same thing that kept Peter going when Jesus' popularity took a major plunge in the sixth chapter of John. Looking at Peter and the others Jesus asked, "Will you also go away?" Peter's reply was classic. He said, "Lord, to whom shall we go. You have the words of eternal life."

The reason I am still a Christian after forty-two years is, in a word, Jesus. The revelation of his character confirms Him over and over as the only friend that sticks closer than a brother. It is that which keeps me going through times of strained interpersonal relationships. His death on my behalf and His revealed promises to me with the full knowledge of who I am (Romans 5:8) gives me a freedom of interaction with Him that takes me through the times of self doubt. His constant direction of my thoughts toward eternal goals keeps my boat afloat in the dark storms of worldly confusion. Some years after Peter's confession of faith, Paul put the focus in these words: "I know whom I have believe, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep what I have committed into His care until the day when it is all over and the books are closed," (2 Timothy 1:12b – Comings paraphrase). Jesus, not people! Jesus, not me! Jesus, not man-made paradigms of success! Jesus is the reason I am still a Christian today. 

Are you a Christian? If not, is it people or your own concept of your sinfulness or your confusion about a crazy world that is keeping you from Him? Look to Jesus as He has revealed Himself in the Scriptures. Like the woman at the well you can discover personal hope (John 4).

Are you a Christian? If you are, may I ask, Why? The question is a valid one. Over the years I have met too many bitter and disillusioned once-upon-a-time professors of faith in Christ. In almost every case it was other people, personal struggles and/or frustration over the success of evil that took its toll. If you would avoid such snares it is imperative that you answer my question and, more importantly, that you be able to answer it by saying simply – because of Jesus.

May we interact with you about these things? 


Pastor Comings
pastor@bbc-cortland.org