I am a Christ-follwer because...

my life has been transformed by the saving grace of Jesus Christ!

Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are. 1 Peter 3:15 (The Message)

In small group last week, I asked my girls how they would finish this sentence. I shared with them that when I was their age, I was just beginning to understand what it meant to follow Christ and I was just starting to know what I believed and why. I told them that I wish that when I was there age that I had been able to say clearly what I believed and I wish that it was something that I had thought more about. I then challenged them to answer this question for themselves and to begin to think about why they are a Christian. It was an interesting assignment for them. I knew going into it that it was something that they would not like because when I was there age, I know I would have hated it. But it was a good challenge for them and a good reminder for me. We had some good discussions about what it means to be a Christian and follow Christ and how important it to know what we believe. The Bible tells us that we need to be ready to share the reasons for the hope that we have. My girls are still learning what it means to follow Christ and I love being able to walk this journey of faith with them and to be able to pray for them as they choose for themselves to follow Christ.

I was listening to a sermon the other week and it talked about how as Christians we are good at being the hands and feet of Jesus but that we are not very good at being the voice of Christ and proclaiming the gospel. He goes on to say that we need to be bold enough to make the truth claim that “I am a follower of Christ.” To proclaim that I am a Christ follower means that I am not ashamed to testify to the fact that I believe Christ is God and I’ve encountered Him and I believe the Gospel is true and that it has transformed my life.

This is my truth claim...this is why I am a Christ-follower...

I am a Christ-follower because I am loved, forgiven and accepted, and because He alone can bring me peace and joy. I believe He died for my sins and I have hope in His future glory. There is evil in the world, but I believe that God has given me freedom and has redeemed me. I believe because He has called me His child and I am created in the image of God and am continually seeking to be more like Him. I believe because God is faithful and His promises are true yesterday, today and forever. I believe that God has a perfect plan for my life and that He longs for me to draw closer to Him. I believe that fullness can only come through Him. I believe God gave me the truth in the Bible to lead and guide me on this journey. I believe that God is compassionate and that His mercies are new every morning. I believe that God’s grace is sufficient for me and I stand on this promise. I choose to follow Jesus because He helps me make sense of the world and give me hope. I choose to follow him because he has the power to heal me and won’t send anything beyond what I can bear. I believe because the world around me reveals his love and beauty and I can stand in awe of all he has done for me. I believe because I have encountered Christ and have been transformed.

Just as important as being able to say what we believe, is the action that follows from your belief. I asked my girls how their life is different because they are a Christ-follower, how are they different than someone who does not know Christ? It is my prayer for them (and for me) that their beliefs are mirrored in their actions and that they have the boldness to proclaim that they follow Christ.

My pastor once said that we should ask ourselves two questions every morning: Who do I serve? How then should I act? I serve Christ and I will live my life seeking to be like Him.

Am I being the voice of Christ? Are you?

I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. Romans 1:16