"Entering into the riches of Christ, by grace through faith"
Why Christianity ?
We live today in a world where we are taught to equate happiness with wealth. All around we are bombarded with adverts, media articles and gossip of how the answer to life is some how wrapped up in the possession of money. Television programs like "Who Wants to be a Millionaire", for most people are the highlight of their evening's viewing. We all buy lottery tickets in the hope that one day the winner will be us. The original adverts for the lottery even seemed to make it "God like", it was the finger from heaven choosing a lucky person. But who is to say that by becoming a millionaire it will make us happy ? The same media who sell us the dream. Also contain heartbreaking stories of celebrities crippled by addiction to drugs and alcohol in an effort to find happiness in their lives. If happiness was in wealth why are so many rich people still searching for something more ?
Everything around us is designed to be instant, we are sold: instant access, instant coffee and instant success. We want to save every precious second and live life to the full. "Road rage" has become a common occurrence as we try to get to our destination in the quickest time without wasting a minute. Fitness centres have become the flavour of the day. We try to get in shape, build a better physique as we try to impress our peers, add years to our life and feel better about ourselves.
So why in this new, bright world do we need Christianity?
The desire in peoples hearts still seems to be to want more. Whether its reading the horoscopes or visiting a fortune teller to help reveal the answers to the future, or buying the latest P.C. or car to impress the people around us. We all feel the need to fit in and know our place in this world. You may say that there are people who are totally self sufficient and independent. This on the outside may be true, but their persona is the way they want people to accept and react towards them. We all have a need to fit in and make our mark on society and the people around us. We are all looking for that 15 minutes of fame. If only it could be us ? Why is life so unfair ?
But this is not a problem that has just raised its head in the 21st Century. Blaise Pascal (1623-62) a French mathematician and philosopher, made these observations "All men seek happiness, without exception; they all aim at this goal, however different the means they use to attain it.... The will never makes the smallest move but with this as its goal. It is the motive of the actions of all men, even those who contemplate suicide. And yet, for centuries past, never has anyone, lacking faith, reached the mark at which all continually aim.
What is it then that this eager desire, and this incapacity, cry aloud to us but that man once possessed true happiness, of which nothing now remains save the mark and empty outline, which he vainly tries to fill in with his circumstances, seeking from things (in the future) the help which he fails to find in things present, all of them incapable of giving (happiness), because the infinite abyss can only be filled by one infinite and steadfast object , i.e. by God himself ?"
So here we have it from Pascal the truth that is applicable to all centuries, to all generations. We may try to find happiness in all different circumstances of life, but the void in our hearts can only be filled by an infinite God. Fame, wealth,success and praise from our peers cannot and do not satisfy the longing in the heart of man.
But, you may say, I am happy, I have all I need, I don't need anything in my life to complicate and take the focus off the happiness I already have. At this point in time it may be so, and to you I say I wish you all the best. But I can assure you that one day you will wake up wondering where the years have gone and wondering if it could have been better ! You may not admit it, but it will be there somewhere deep in your heart.
In an excellent sermon on Ephesians 1 v 3-6 (March 8 1992) John Piper says this " If you are trusting in Jesus Christ this morning the roots of your life were planted in the eternal counsels of God, and the branches of your life are growing into an absolutely sure and glorious future with God. There are no unimportant days in your life. You don’t ever have to go to bed at night feeling your life is going nowhere. You don’t ever have to give in to the lie that you are not connected to an awesome purpose."
There is only one way to have the confidence that there are NO unimportant days in your life and that your future is sure and glorious, no matter what, and that is to put your faith and trust in God, by recognizing and accepting the sacrifice of his son Jesus Christ for you. There is no other way. All other religions will leave you short because they cannot offer a personal connection with the awesome purposes of God, which will include you!
If you want to go forward and find out just what it means to be a Christian today go to The Answer of the Void of our Hearts
If not enjoy the rest of the site
Cheers
Alan