I’m in a Christian
organization at Indiana University called Cru. This week was our Perspectives
Week, where we sought to hear people’s viewpoints about Jesus as well as their
life desires. After reflecting about the conversations I had with others, I
would like to share my perspective with you about why I’m a Christian.
I am a Christian
because I’m pursuing my lifelong dream of obtaining freedom. I believe it is a
simple human desire that everyone wants. It’s why I think so many people
immigrate to the United States, why so many people have smartphones, and why
earning large sums of money is so craved by society. In my quest, I have found
only one answer that will guarantee me complete freedom. It is having a relationship
with Jesus. If I know Jesus, I have the power to ask for forgiveness. It says
in 1 John 1:9:
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and
just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Being purified is
my only chance of getting into Heaven and gaining my freedom. Also, praying for
mercy releases my stress in life. It frees me of my worries and brings me
peace. Being a Christian frees me.
I am a Christian
because it brings me complete satisfaction. No matter how good a steak dinner
is, it doesn’t result in the same peace and good feeling that an answered
prayer brings. No matter how many encouraging quotes I read from famous
celebrities, there is nothing that satisfies my doubting mind more than the
hope that comes from John 3:16:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave
his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have
eternal life.”
I’m willing to
take that chance of committing to a God who might not exist in hopes of
inheriting eternal life. Furthermore, the happiness that comes from watching the
top 50 most hilarious youtube videos of the year doesn’t even compare to the
joy I feel when laughing with a friend during a conversation; a friend that God
himself created. Being a Christian satisfies me.
Most importantly,
I’m a Christian because of the fact that Jesus at one time existed. Therefore,
I can have the confidence that the Bible’s teachings reflect the life of a real
person. Whether or not the teachings are accurate is the whole mystery of the
religion. The Christian principles state that Jesus lived for me, died for me,
and will save me. If I’m trying to gain complete freedom and satisfaction from
life, betting on Jesus is the best shot I have. Only it’s not a bet. It’s a
contract. Christianity says that if I commit to loving Jesus, he will be my
ticket into Heaven. Done deal. If I disregard that contract, I will be locked
out of Heaven forever. No exceptions.
Hopefully one day
when I die, Jesus will be my defense lawyer at the gates of Heaven. God will be
the Judge, and Jesus will try to be the great convincer. After reviewing my
case (my life), Jesus will realize I have no chance to make it into Heaven
after all the sins I committed on earth. So he, knowing that God fully loves
him, will decide to make a deal with God. Jesus will ask if he can replace my life’s
sin-filled resume with his perfect one. Since God loves Jesus, he will accept
and sacrifice Jesus’s life for mine. However, God will only do this if he is
convinced that Jesus personally knows me and I know Jesus. That is why building
a relationship with Jesus while I’m on earth is so important to me. What other
defense lawyer will plead guilty and face the punishment (death) so that his
client (me) may enter into eternal paradise? There is no better deal than that.
Jesus saves. That is why I am a Christian.
