Saturday, 14 April 2012
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What Does it Mean to Be a Christian? (Part Three)
I grew up in a very heavily Christian home, and I went to a private Christian school. I became a Christian at age 5. No joke, I gave my life to God on my 5th birthday. And even though I was young, I understood what it meant, and I made the choice with the same commitment I have now.I've been a Christian all my life, and I grew up with the knowledge that my life was not my own, but that doesn't make the thought of giving myself up any easier. It's something I always knew I had to do, and I will admit it definitely influenced some of the choices I made in life. Had I thought my life was 'mine' and my own responsibility, I would have done things to become more financially successful, for instance.
But even though I grew up developing a personal relationship with God, and even though I have a lot of text book knowledge about the Bible, this is something I still struggle with. I'm struggling with it right now, in fact. It is front-and-center my biggest struggle, something God keeps bringing me back to.I'm realizing I don't know how to 'give my whole life over' to following God. I don't really know what that means. I'm willing to give up everything for God. My home, my spouse, the town I've always lived in. Any part of my sense of identity. But is it something I have to physically do? Or is it enough to loosen my grip and allow God to take what He will?
I don't think things are standard or everyone. We're all different people on different paths, and one person's cross is not necessarily any easier than any other's. What is easy for one person is hard, or even impossible, for another, and it's not because one person is strong and another is weak.
I grew up with a skewed sense of self, and I am now struggling with an ambiguous sense of identity. I could never lay claim to myself, and now I don't know what 'self' there is to give up. Because nothing is mine. Nothing has ever been mine. So I don't know how to give my life to God.
The choice to take up one's cross and follow God is the choice to die to self, and each person has their own choice to make. No matter what their background is, the choice to give your life fully to Christ and be His disciple, no longer a person in your own right, is always monumental. That's why it's a choice so few make, even Christians.I'm seeing more and more that there is something different besides just being saved and living a relatively sinless life. There is discipleship, which goes steps further and stops living life. Discipleship is to take oneself out of the regular world -- or perhaps more correctly, to allow God to take you out -- and live differently; to step away from the machine of job-marriage-kids-house regularity; to become separate from the world.
Jesus tells us this in Mark 8:34-38 and Matthew 16:24-28. Also of note to read are Matthew 20:1-16, Matthew 10:16-23 & Matthew 10:24-39. We also see this in the life of the 12 disciples, both during the life of Jesus and after, as they are called to follow Jesus, as they do follow Him as His students and after His death and resurrection, as they continue their work, now no longer students but masters.
If you've accepted Christ, when did it happen, and do you think you really understood what it meant to "give your life over" to God? Do you think there is more to your relationship with God than your salvation? How has discipleship played a role in your Christian life?
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About the Author
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- From: DreamPet@xanga
- Name: James
- Location: Ohio, United States
- About Me: I am a young man without much to say. Ok, maybe that's a lie. I chose my name for a story I wrote called Killing Pet about a boy who has nightmares. I am living with a man I love, and am also a Christian. Is everyone a paradox, or is it just me?
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Comments (6)
For starters I would say that the terminology is part of the problem: "I gave my life over to God," "I accepted Christ." I know those are common terms that many believers use to describe the beginning of their life in Christ - that it was something that they initiated and something that they maintain
The truth is that if God Himself did not create that new life, then it is only a human decision based on human desires and wrought by human effort. But, on the other hand, if we were actually born of the Spirit, then our "decision"was only prompted by the Holy Spirit and the life that we now live, we live by the faith of the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us. We are "given" to Christ by the Father. We are drawn by the Spirit and kept by His power. None of His will be lost. Jesus is the Good Shepherd.
The works that God has designed and planned to be our way of life in our walk with Him are also of His choice for our particular mission and for our personal growth in the relationship we have wtih Him. And likewise the "fruit" we bear is something that is endemic to the life of God. We cannot decide to grow another fruit, but God is able to produce that good fruit because He is God - He does that just the same way that He produces fruit in the natural world...however we can cultivate and water (with His Word) the venue and the plant (ourselves) for greater growth of the fruit.
I really appreciate this post and the comment from quest4god. Thank you & T&PBTG!
"If you've accepted Christ, when did it happen, and do you think
you really understood what it meant to "give your life over" to God? Do
you think there is more to your relationship with God than your
salvation? How has discipleship played a role in your Christian life?"
GREAT QUESTIONS!
I was very young when I said to God: "...if you really have a plan for my life, don't let me miss it." I've been amazed at how many times God has since then pulled the rug out from under whatever plans I was working on to steer me onto His plan for my life! And in those times He drew me in closer to Him, leaving me with nothing to rely upon but Him. But He also spoke clearly to me then, leaving me in no doubt what He was expecting me to do or say, knowing this would attract the persecution of the world, some of which actually calls itself "Christian." Discipleship, in the end, comes down to obeying the Spirit of God no matter what. And in having been obedient, chips having fallen where they did, I feel so richly blessed!
...
I'm really feeling for you right now. Because I know what it feels like to wonder exactly who or what I am, separate from doing or giving for others. I'm wondering what role your parents played in this grand scheme. Because we all have gifts and talents that are uniquely ours, can and are to be used for our benefit, along with others. I think others might see you and find things they really think are good and useful about you, and your mention of financial aspects really hit the mark as well. We are supposed to use our talents and aptitudes to gain financially and provide for ourselves and our families, and not wind up in our 60's proclaiming God will take care of us. My husband actually used that one on me once. That was before getting two more Master's Degrees, that have benefited the family, and whatever church we've attended. Take a step back, think about something you might enjoy just for yourself. God meant for you to have joy. And you are still a perfect creation! And, if you are feeling a bit more than just a little down, please find someone to talk to.
We need to keep a balanced view of what it means to follow Christ. We've all heard the comment: " the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world". There is a lot to be said for following Christ right where we are and being and doing the best for Him right there.
Those ' claiming to ' ' follow this mythical Story book person
1. Have you strictly obeyed e.g. Luke 14:33?