WHY SHOULD I BE A CHRISTIAN ?

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1142, 4 September 1913, Page 4

WHY SHOULD I BE A CHRISTIAN ?

How many of you, I wonder, have been struck by the reasonableness of Christianity. The Bible is essentially a commonsense Book. Hear what it says : “Come now, and let us reason together” ; “Prove all things, hold fast that which is good.” But first of all—What is a Christian ? There are some who imagine that if they dwell in a so-called Christian country they are Christians. Others think that it they do the best they can, if they “pay twenty shillings in the pound,” and believe certain doctrines, they are Christians. The New Testament does not teach this. A Christian, according to it, is one who has surrendered his heart and life to Christ, and who lives a life of faith in Him. Christian, then, is one who is linked to Christ by faith and trust. Why should 1 be a Christian ? r. —Because to be a Christian is the highest form of goodness. In the heart of nearly every man there is an admiration of goodness. Even wicked admit its beauty; and the true Christian becomes more and more like Jesus Christ, who is “the altogether lovely.” Sceptically-minded men like John Stuart Mill admit that it would not be easy even for an unbeliever to find a better rule of virtue than to live so that Christ would approve of his life. So to be a Christian means that you will ultimately be like Jesus Christ.

2. —Because to be a Christian is to receive the power that will enable you to achieve that goodness. Christianity sets before us the great ideal of Christ’s life, but what is the use of It unless we have the power to reproduce it ? I may hear great orators and musicians without being able to imitate them successfully ; and so I may see the Christ in all His sublime glory and holy beauty without having the power to be like Him. Sin grips meu in its power, and when they would do good evil is present in fheq. Y es >, but the great secret of Christianity is that Christ imparts the power to live the Christ-life. Our weak

life is re-inforced by the inflowing of new power from without. He makes bad men good, .and good men better, and he turns outcasts into saints. Christ is not only a pattern and an ideal, He is also a Saviour.

3. —To be a Christian is to be brought into sympathy and fellowship with the noblest spirits of all the centuries. In every century since Christ was here, the greatest and best men and women have been Christians. Age by age the choicest spirits have followed Him ; and to be a Christian it to be brought into fellowship and sympathy with these —with their aims and ideals. What a noble army they are ! It includes apostles, theologians, philanthropists, reformers, musicians, poets and missionaries—the noblest of earth’s sons ; and we are linked with them and serve in the same great array.

4. —I should be a Christian because I am a redeemed man. Every man in the world is a redeemed man. The ransom price has been paid. “Christ tasted death for every man.” Are you going to rob Christ of the fruit of His passion ? Your redemption has been purchased whether you accept the salvation or not. Christ has given His life lor you. 5. —Because we dare not face the great life beyond without the King of the larger life. Who would care to pass into the mysterious after-life without the help and friendship of Christ ? He knows the way. He has solved the mysteries. He can help us there. And it he is our Guide and our Helper, we can greet the unknown with a cheer, and calmly face the life beyond. But some say: If I give myself to Christ, shall I be able to keep to it ? No, you will not. But He is able to keep you. Yes, but there are some poor specimens of Christianity ! True, but we want you to be an example of the noblest type of Christian. Ah, but I should have to give up so many things ! Nay, you would have to give up but one thing, and that is, sin. Seek Him now, surrender to Him ; and then you shall receive the power that shall produce in you the highest goodness ; you shall live in sympathy with the noblest of all the ages ; your redemption will be a practical reality in your life ; and you may face death and thelile beyond without fear.