If life is one thing, it is always full of choices: Starbucks or It's a Grind, Graduate School or straight to the workforce, Seahawks or Broncos (for you Super Bowl watchers!), Verizon or AT&T or Sprint iPhone, or Mac or PC (just to name a few).
Which brings us to a question: is there an alternative to Christianity?
To ask for an alternative to Christianity is not asking for an alternative religion (i.e. Buddhism, Islam, Shintoism, etc.). It is asking for an alternative to a relationship with Jesus. It is asking for an alternative to eternal life. It is asking for an alternative to salvation through other means except grace. It is asking for the ultimate unhappiness in life and beyond.
I can't sometimes think of some clear display of alternatives to life in Jesus than in American pop culture. Pop culture icons in America, such as Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Kanye West, and Jay-Z with Beyonce. Most of us know who they are. So how are they an example of alternatives to Jesus?
Kanye made an album called Yeezus with a song called "I am God." He also said:
"I made that song because I am a god…"
Jay-Z and Beyonce in the Grammys performed something explicitly sexual.
Justin Bieber got arrested after getting drunk and found drag racing.
Katy Perry's performance in the grammy's was thought to be a satanic ritual.
Those are only a sample of an alternative to a life in Christ. The alternative to Christ is plentiful in example, and they all ultimately lead to a life of failure and gradual defeat, a gradual loss of your inner beauty and of what you are. The life without Christ is simply put: self-destruction.
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envies, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21).
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls (Hebrews 10:39).
What is the life with Christ then?
Life with Christ is:
1. One with purpose
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will (Ephesians 1:11)
2. HumilityBut he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6)
3. Eternal reward
...for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him (Hebrews 11:6).
4. Self-completion
and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority (Colossians 2:10).
Do you see yourself needing to turn your life around? Do you see yourself thinking that your life can be better than this? Do you think your life has no purpose?
No. I do not. God does not. The Almighty God who made you do not wish you to be dead. He sees you as valuable. The world may accept you only after you do what they want and be who they want you to be. The world accepts you only after you led yourself into destruction, only to demand you destroy yourself again to be accepted again. Jesus accepts you so that you are complete. Jesus accepts you because you are you.
Have you accepted Jesus today? Pray this with me.
Father in Heaven we thank you for giving us life. You are the one who gives us purpose. You love us and you speak to us. You are the one who leads us to greatness. Give us faith to trust you, that you will reward us in the end. Let us trust you to change us and live a purposeful life. In Jesus' name, amen.
If you prayed for the first time, click here. If you prayed that prayer as a believer, click here.
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).
Which brings us to a question: is there an alternative to Christianity?
To ask for an alternative to Christianity is not asking for an alternative religion (i.e. Buddhism, Islam, Shintoism, etc.). It is asking for an alternative to a relationship with Jesus. It is asking for an alternative to eternal life. It is asking for an alternative to salvation through other means except grace. It is asking for the ultimate unhappiness in life and beyond.
I can't sometimes think of some clear display of alternatives to life in Jesus than in American pop culture. Pop culture icons in America, such as Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Kanye West, and Jay-Z with Beyonce. Most of us know who they are. So how are they an example of alternatives to Jesus?
Kanye made an album called Yeezus with a song called "I am God." He also said:
"I made that song because I am a god…"
Jay-Z and Beyonce in the Grammys performed something explicitly sexual.
Justin Bieber got arrested after getting drunk and found drag racing.
Katy Perry's performance in the grammy's was thought to be a satanic ritual.
Those are only a sample of an alternative to a life in Christ. The alternative to Christ is plentiful in example, and they all ultimately lead to a life of failure and gradual defeat, a gradual loss of your inner beauty and of what you are. The life without Christ is simply put: self-destruction.
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envies, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21).
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls (Hebrews 10:39).
What is the life with Christ then?
Life with Christ is:
1. One with purpose
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will (Ephesians 1:11)
2. HumilityBut he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6)
3. Eternal reward
...for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him (Hebrews 11:6).
4. Self-completion
and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority (Colossians 2:10).
Do you see yourself needing to turn your life around? Do you see yourself thinking that your life can be better than this? Do you think your life has no purpose?
No. I do not. God does not. The Almighty God who made you do not wish you to be dead. He sees you as valuable. The world may accept you only after you do what they want and be who they want you to be. The world accepts you only after you led yourself into destruction, only to demand you destroy yourself again to be accepted again. Jesus accepts you so that you are complete. Jesus accepts you because you are you.
Have you accepted Jesus today? Pray this with me.
Father in Heaven we thank you for giving us life. You are the one who gives us purpose. You love us and you speak to us. You are the one who leads us to greatness. Give us faith to trust you, that you will reward us in the end. Let us trust you to change us and live a purposeful life. In Jesus' name, amen.
If you prayed for the first time, click here. If you prayed that prayer as a believer, click here.
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).