Is the Christian Faith Easy?

Others have said...

"Many people have considered the Christian faith an easy thing. They do this because they have not experienced it."

Martin Luther

"For the good that I would I do not; but the evil which I would not, that I do.. . . O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Apostle Paul

"Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Jesus

We are tempted to say, Yes!

Everyone wants an easy religion, a religion that tells him he is basically good; a religion that tells him God loves everyone and therefore overlooks anything an individual does wrong. Everyone wants a religion that gives ways for man to better himself and his society to make life easier and more pleasurable.

Almost anyone would go along with that kind of religion.

But that is not Christianity.

It is not easy to be a Christian. To make it sound easy, or to change it so that it is easy, is deception. Christianity gives proper recognition to God's greatness and man's sinfulness. There is no easy way to bring harmony between the Holy God and the sinner. However the things that are impossible with men, are possible with God (Luke 18:27).

WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN?

1. A Christian believes in God Who reveals Himself in the Bible.

The Bible is God's own Word and therefore authoritative for all of life.

"No prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (II Peter 1:20, 21).

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (II Timothy 3:16).The Triune God is the Creator.

"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him." (Colossians 1:16).

God is Holy and hates all sin.

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness" (Romans 1:18).

God sees and knows all things.

"Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do" (Hebrews 4:13).

2. A Christian sees himself or herself as a sinner.

Sin is the result of man's disobedience against God.

"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Romans 5:12).

God's law for us is that we love Him.

"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind" (Matthew 22:37).

God judges us in the light of His holy law.

"Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one" (Psalm 53:3).

3. A Christian is one who stands before God in Christ.

Self justification is not the way of salvation.

"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away" (Isaiah 64:6).

Christ died on the cross to pay for the sins of His people.

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).

Christ alone guarantees the Christian's acceptance with God.

"And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith" (Philippians 3:9).

4. A Christian desires to obey God's will, as revealed by God in His Word.

A Christian struggles against personal sin.

"Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness..." (Colossians 3:5).

A Christian finds his freedom in obeying God.

"But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life" (Romans 6:22).

A Christian confesses his hope of salvation to be in Jesus Christ alone.

"If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt he saved" (Romans 10:9).

A Christian worships God and enjoys the fellowship with His people.

"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another" (Hebrews 10:24, 25).

ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN?

If so, we rejoice that God has given you to confess the Christian faith.

Perhaps you believe you are a Christian, but feel confused with Christian teaching and life and want a deeper understanding of the truth or more direction in your life.

Maybe you are not a Christian, but are interested in learning more about the Christian faith and the need that we all have of salvation in Jesus Christ.