If You Became a Christian…..What Would Change?

Today’s post is for commited atheists and secular humanists. If you are a Christian…….and a sinner……this is not for you.

I know many really good people……..who are not Christians. And I am puzzled by what it is that is holding them back. The benefits are vast…….paradise, eternal life, and most of all the joy and fulfillment of being who you were created to be and of doing what you were created to do.

I ask myself……what would they have to change……what would they have to give up to become a Christian?

They must sense a downside.

So……what is the downside to Christianity?

Today I will explore the downside…..the cost of Christianity…….because there must be something in that list of costs that is stopping good people……not perfect people……from signing up.

So………what is it that Christianity asks of us…….that we resist?

Stop hurting people….(love your neighbor). If you are a drug dealer or a gang member, this could be it. But, the non-Christians that I know are not evil criminals…….in many cases they are better human beings than I am. This isn’t it.

Support the church with your time and money. We are all very busy and many of us are strapped for cash. Still, it’s hard to believe that a few bucks and an hour of two a week is the problem. This isn’t it either.

Sex……..this is a bit tougher. Sex is for husbands and wives. If recreational sex is a big part of your life or if you are committed to the LGBT agenda, this could be it. Still, passing up eternal paradise for a decade or two of sex seems a bit shortsighted.

Stuff……..we are a consumer culture. It is possible that we put so much energy into accumulating stuff that we have no emotional enegy left…..no room left……..for God. Again, this seems a bit shortsighted.

Politics………there was a time when, if you asked someone, “what are you?” ……..they would reply with their occupation…..or perhaps their faith. Today, the usual reply is Republican or Democrat. We have come to choose our political party as our identity……..or we have come to choose our identity as our party. That is the only reason that I can see that explains why most of us refuse to criticise “our” political party when they sell a policy that is clearly wrong…….and both sides sell policies that are wrong. I think that many people reject all…….or part……..of Christianity because it conflicts with their politics…….with their assumed identity. We follow Trump…..or Biden first……and only then do we follow God. Don’t get me wrong…..Trump and Biden will probably be in paradise……..but they will probably have an “obstructed view” seat……on the third balcony.

Subordination……this is getting closer. Christianity teaches us that we are not the boss here. Christianity teaches that whatever our desires are, whatever our appetites are, we are not the ultimate arbiter. We are not in charge. So……..we stand on our little piece of ground and shout at God…..”you are not the boss of me!” We are terrified that if we accept God as our master, our Lord……..that he will someday say to us….”sell everything that you own, go to Africa, and wait for further instructions.”

And I think……that when push comes to shove……that is the problem. We cannot humble ourselves. We want to be in charge. We want to be at the top of the “chain of command”. And we are willing to forego paradise……..and to risk hell…….so that we can be in charge.

So what would change for my friends? ………they would have to humble themselves…….I will have to humble myself.

“YOU ARE NOT THE BOSS OF ME!”

a six year old I once had to deal with, PSV. (pediatric standard version)……btw, she grew up into a fine woman

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

God, ESV