Why be a Christian?

There are times when I wonder why anyone is a Christian; the world is such a tough place, life doesn't seem to make sense, and the church doesn't help either...a dying out breed of tradition that shuts itself away in its ivory towers.

But such times are nowhere near as many as the times when I wonder why everybody isn't a Christian! The message of Jesus, God with us, God for us, God giving life to us, and God in us, is just what we need. It's nothing to do with tradition or church institution, but everything to do with being God's people together, vibrant, alive, joyful and hopeful.

So here are my top 8 reasons why you should not be a Christian....followed by my eight top reasons why you should!

8 Reasons not to be a Christian:

1. You have to get up on Sunday morning (that's if you want to be at the main meeting of the Christians!)
2. You have to listen to me (or somebody else which may be better or worse) preaching at you every week.
3. You have to sing, and if that's not bad enough, they change the songs every week!
4. You are supposed to talk to a God you cannot see who gives you answers you don't always want to hear.
5. You are associated with, whether you like it or not, all sorts of other Christians, weird and not so wonderful, and what's more you are supposed to love them all!
6. You may well find that so called friends turn against you.
7. You may find you lose your job or your conscience may not let you carry on with it.
8. You may even get arrested and put in prison, (especially if you live in the middle east, or part of Asia)

I could add more.....but that's enough for now.....because actually these reasons NOT to be a Christian carry very little weight with me. If you think about it Jesus experienced all of these things.... he got up early, listened to His father, shared in the worship of the believers, and prayed, sometimes all night. He had a group of oddballs with him, one of whom turned traitor against him, he gave up his carpentry to be a travelling minister, and ended up arrested and crucified!

OK, but that in itself doesn't mean I have to follow!! Sounds a very stupid idea.

But wait, listen to my reason why you SHOULD be a Christian.

8 reasons to be a Christian

1. A Christian lives IN Christ which means INCLUDED IN GOD'S FAMILY, where there is no condemnation that can keep us OUT.
2. A Christian lives with the Spirit in them, who brings life and peace to our minds.
3. A Christian knows God as his or her Heavenly Dad, always the best Dad ever, to whom we can come running anytime, anyplace, and who will always bless us.
4. A Christian lives knowing that life now, with it's tough stuff, is nothing compared to the life to come which is going to be simply GLORIOUS
5. A Christian can been in touch with God all the time, talking and listening.
6. A Christian knows that whatever happens God is going to work in it for our good.
7. A Christian is on the receiving end of never ending generosity of love from God
8. A Christian is forever tied to God, nothing can ever split us up!

Now don't take my word for it, take God's!

Every one of those reasons is found in the book in the Bible called Romans, chapter 8.

Here are the eight verses, all from Romans Chapter 8!

I am looking forward to talking a bit more about this on some Sundays. If you're around why not come and see what you think.