Why Be A Christian Why Be A Christian

Why Be… …A Christian?

Why Be A Christian? • The world religionist is asking • The non-religionist is asking • The person opposed is asking • The children of brethren are asking • The Christian is asking

Inappropriate Reasons • It’s the thing to do • Pressured to please someone (parents, friend, preacher, spouse, etc. ) • Some selfish motive

To Have True Freedom • Not freedom from restraint, responsibility, etc. (2 Pet. 2: 19) • Free from sin (Jn. 8: 32 -36; Rom. 6: 20, 22) • Free from the fear of hell (Mt. 10: 28; 2 Thess. 1: 8 -9). Heaven will be your destination, not hell!

To Enjoy True Blessings • Not the “blessings” of more money, things, etc. (1 Tim. 6: 9 -10) • All spiritual blessings (Mk. 10: 29 -30; Eph. 1: 3) • Answered prayer (1 Pet. 3: 12) • Sure hope (1 Pet. 1: 3 -4; Tit. 1: 2)

To Enjoy Genuine Happiness • Not the “happiness” that many look for in pleasures of sin; more of this world (Eccl. 1: 12 ff) • Godliness is profitable for this life and the next life (1 Tim. 4: 8) • Joy unspeakable (Phil. 4: 4 -6; 1 Pet. 1: 8)

To Make A Real Difference • Not the difference of a career, politics, sports, invention, etc. • Your righteous influence makes a real difference to the world (Gen. 18: 32; Mt. 5: 14 -16; Phil. 2: 14 -15; 1 Pet. 2: 12) • Your message is the most important to the world (Lk. 15: 7)

To Be With the Best People • Not the kind of people that many have to be with - bad language, evil influence, etc. • Your “family” (local church and other brethren) can be a group of loving Christians (Mk. 3: 33 -35; Ac. 9: 31)

To Help Cope with Life • Not “coping” by using human wisdom, violence, suicide, drugs, alcohol, divorce, etc. • You can cope with life’s challenges and hardships the right way – with God’s eternal wisdom in the Bible (2 Tim. 3: 1617), with prayer (Heb. 4: 16; 13: 5 -6), and with brethren (1 Thess. 4: 14)

To Glorify God and Christ • Not by glorifying self or other men (Mt. 6: 2; Jn. 5: 44; 12: 43) • You glorify God as a “Christian” (1 Pet. 4: 16)

To Save Your Soul • Not putting a priority on cars, boats, homes, toys, technology, etc. • Your soul is the most valuable item you possess (Mt. 16: 26 -27)

Why Be A Christian? • All this and heaven too! • Are these not good reasons to become and remain a Christian today? • What hinders you from becoming a Christian today?