TRUTH OR TRADITION? – Why Be A Christian? #2 #179
Out Of.
In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he speaks of the persecutions and afflictions he had endured at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, and then he writes: “But out of them all the Lord delivered me.” (2 Tim. 3:11) . Notice the Lord didn’t deliver him FROM the trials, but OUT OF them. Paul had to suffer the trials for a time. Daniel was delivered OUT OF the lion’s den, not FROM it. He had to spend the night with the lions. His three friends were delivered OUT OF the fiery furnace, not FROM it. If Christian people must endure the same trials as everybody else, then Why Be A Christian?
Purpose In Life.
Being a Christian gives some meaning and purpose to life. What is your purpose in life? What do you hope to accomplish before, in the words of William Cullen Bryant, “you wrap the draperies of your couch about you and lie down to pleasant dreams”?
The Need For A Purpose.
Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where will I be when I get to where I am going? Everybody needs a purpose in life…a reason for being. Purpose gives meaning and significance to life. Purpose gives some direction in life. Life with no purpose is like a football game with no goal posts. No aim…no goal…just endless circles, but doesn’t that describe the lives of a lot of people?
A Purpose For Every Life.
Every life is a plan of God. None of us came into this world when we chose, nor where we chose. Why did God give me life in the United States of America. I could have been given life in the jungles of Brazil, or the snow swept plains of the arctic tundra. Why did He give me life in the 20th and 21st centuries? He could have given me life during the Civil War, or the Great Depression. Why this particular country, and this particular century? One of the greatest challenges in my life is to discover what God’s purpose was in giving me life, and then set about to fulfill that purpose.
A Noble Purpose.
There are many great and noble purposes in life: doctors, lawyers, scientists, humanitarians, philanthropists, to name just a few. But all of those deal with the material, with the things that pertain to this life. There is nothing more noble, more beneficial than the spiritual, because that extends beyond this life. Helping a soul get to heaven is the greatest of all causes.
A Step Down.
When James A Garfield was elected president of the United States, he was president of Hiram College, a Christian school in Hiram, Ohio, southeast of Cleveland, and also an elder in the church across the street from the campus. Before moving to Washington to assume his duties as president, he had to resign as president of the college, and elder of the church. In his resignation as elder, he said he was taking a step down to become president of the United States. Garfield had it right. The president, as important as his job is, deals with the material, with things of this life. The elder deals with souls, with that which is spiritual, and that which extends into eternity. A noble purpose indeed!
A Living Hope.
Why be a Christian? 1. It gives true meaning and purpose to life. More to come.
Steer Creek Church of Christ, 3466 Rosedale Road, Stumptown WV 25267
Minister: Gene H Miller, 3281 Rosedale Road, Shock WV 26638-8410.
Phone: 304.462.0384 E-Mail: “ghmiller@rtol.net” Web Site: steercreekchurchofchrist.org
Community • Gilmer County • Shock • Stumptown • Religion | G-MM™ •
Congratulations to Hunter Ashley for getting a 2nd place in the Discus throw. He may be a Freshman, but he can definately out throw a lot of sophmores, Juniors and seniors. Way to go Hunter. Practice always pays off. Proud of you.