Episode 7 - Why Am I a Christian? Authentic faith is not something you inherit. Every person must make the choice for themselves.

John gives the single most compelling reason that was the tipping point for my own decision to invite Christ into my own heart (1John 4:9-11)

His act of self-sacrifice was undeniable. The love that motivated it, was unimaginable. His invitation to follow was irresistible. Why am I a Christian? Two words: The Cross.

Four big concerns I had about life.

The cross inspired my trust in God
What kind of a God runs the universe? The evidence from nature and history is ambiguous.

The cross gives us the unambiguous evidence we need about God’s character. God has not watched the world from the sidelines as we suffer. The cross speaks most eloquently about God’s solidarity with the world in its suffering.

The cross makes Jesus’ invitation to follow irresistible
How to decide which religion, if any, to choose? Jesus is incomparable. First my head was convinced, then my heart surrendered. There are good reasons to believe.

Jesus has unique credentials - Prophecies he fulfilled made 100’s of years before.

Jesus claimed to have a unique nature - C.S. Lewis: Liar, Lunatic or Lord?

Jesus exercised unique authority - In addition to his miracles, he overcame the power of death as demonstrated by his resurrection.

Jesus’ unique mission - Jesus glory was, paradoxically, the glory of unimaginable, breath-taking humility. The throne of the Servant-King was the cross. This was the kind of King I wanted to serve.

The cross answers my questions about my own destiny “The atoning sacrifice for our sins” - This tells me that somehow...at the cross, the damage I’ve done as a result of my sin has been fixed. This helps me with: What happens when I die?

Story of the barge full of garbage - the Khian Sea. Nobody wants our garbage, but it has to go somewhere or we’re going to be forced to carry it ourselves forever. We will be held accountable. The cross tells me that I don’t need to worry. My garbage has been carried away. Isaiah 53:4-6

The “atoning sacrifice” takes care of the past. “Living through him” points us to the future. Too often we only get half the message. The cross is not just about being forgiven it’s about starting a new life here and now which will last forever.

We’ve been restored to our original “career path” to “bear his image.” Our original job description: to look like God, act like God and rule the cosmos on his behalf - vassal kings and queens over planet earth. Jesus death on the cross leads us back to all this. We are now his apprentices. This helps me with: What is the purpose of my life?

The cross simplifies the way I approach my life in the world God’s action in Christ sets the precedent for us.

The cross simplifies a lot for me. In a world that offers us an overwhelming number of choices, the cross gives me a filter that works. Whatever I choose to do, I must do it out of love for others.

The pecking order should not shape my behavior. “No man is worthless for whom Christ died.” (Story of Muretus)

I am motivated by the need to pay it forward. “I owe it from a long time ago.” (Story of V.P. Menon)

A confession: Like everyone of us...I have not arrived. “If I know the way home and am walking along it drunkenly, is it any less the right way because I am staggering from side to side!” (Tolstoy) I do stagger, but I am convinced that this is the way home.

We can take no credit for ourselves. All we need to do is say “yes” Jesus.