All month long we have been trying to pinpoint what it means to be a Christian. And as usual with Don’s sermons I’ve been swimming along, riding the tide. But, just about the time I think I see where the current is taking me – he installs a flood gate that forces me into a different eddy.
Actionchurch stretches my preconceived Christian notions – and I LIKE it! The first Sunday of the series I was certain that I had the answer. Like a kid in class I had my hand waving wildly in the air (in my best Arnold Horshack imitation) “Oh, OH Mr. Kotter! – I know the answer.” But the more I think about this Christian stuff, the more I realize that there simply isn’t one answer. It’s not really a right or wrong; a true or false. It’s more like those dreaded essay questions in Philosophy class.
And I think the reason why the answer isn’t a “check YES or NO” – is because
BECOMING A CHRISTIAN ISN’T A ONE TIME EVENT
IT’S A JOURNEY
When you think about the people you know, those people that you would classify as Christian – it’s really impossible to put them in a category and define them with a check list because they are all so uniquely different. They are different because each Christian is in a different phase of their relationship with God.
Just like all relationships – marriages, friendships, family – a Christian’s relationship with Christ changes. He doesn’t change. His word never changes. WE change…..constantly….in the way we think, the way we act, the way we interact.
2nd Corinthians 5:15 tells us that “…anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun.” Did you catch that? a new life has BEGUN. Becoming a Christian isn’t instantaneous!
Just like when a brand new, tiny baby comes in to the world and their life begins- they aren’t instantly mature (or potty trained) – over time they grow and learn from their experiences. They see mom and dad and how they interact in society.
And as a Christian it’s exactly the same. We learn, we read, we observe other Christians – and sure, we make messes along the way – but it’s a journey….a new, incredible journey.
The beginning of a new life.