Those who have not experienced the benefits and joys of faith in Jesus Christ may wonder why believers spend time with their faith. I used to think that I didn’t have time to go to church, read the Bible, or pray more than briefly. This was even after retirement with more discretionary time. What changed my mind? Some people no doubt believe that if they don’t do such things they will go to hell after they die. Yes this could be a powerful motive. But if that is the only reason for faith, it would be pretty shallow. Living in fear is negative and counterproductive. There are many reasons to spend time with faith, and all of them are positive and enjoyable.
Having faith is something like swimming. You can’t swim unless you get in the water and it has to be deep enough. Faith in Christ can be as deep as you want, and you can get as much value out of it as you want. It depends on your desire. I paid no attention to Jesus until 2004. Once I realized how much I was missing, I jumped in with both feet. I spend time with God every day, and it has really paid off. -- How?
Jesus is my friend, source of contentment, happiness and I get real help from Him. Through the Holy Spirit whom is available to everyone, these benefits come. It seems so simple to me now, but before knowing Jesus I struggled with many daily problems. None were earth-shaking or terribly worrisome, but they took unnecessary time. Now when stuck with something, when the answer just doesn’t seem to come to me, I stop and pray about it. At first I was hesitant to bother God with mundane problems, but then I found that He wants us to share all our concerns no matter how trivial they seem to us. Often the answer comes instantly; it just pops into my head. Sometimes I have to sleep on it and it comes the next day. I asked and received help in writing this message about faith.
Another real benefit and the greatest is peace of mind. I never did fear dying, but this had to be out of ignorance. At one time I thought that death was the end. Later I did not believe that I would go to hell because of my “good” living. How wrong I would have been! Then I was unaware of the biblical truth that the only path to Heaven is through belief in Jesus Christ and accepting Him as our Lord and Savior. Now I have the wonderful peace beyond understanding that I know where I will spend eternity. I feel sorrow each time I think of where so many people will live forever. It is a terrible tragedy of life that something so wonderful and so readily available to everyone is ignored. Everyone is a sinner if only in putting love of things, busyness with their way of life, or even love of another person above love of Christ and spending time with Him. But the wonderful truth is that Jesus will forgive all sin no matter how deep and terrible, if only we ask.
I have been cured of many health problems that plagued me for years. Suddenly they disappeared after deciding to pray about them. No, the Lord does not promise to cure all our ailments and not on our impatient time table, but I am grateful for what He has done.
I receive real joy in talking to others about their faith. Sometimes this is with a non-believer, and other times with someone I have discovered shares the same strong belief in Christ. Talking with others of faith reinforces our own faith. Before discovering this I can say that the circle of people I really loved was fairly small. I never told even old friends that I loved them and I don’t really know whether I did really love them or not. It was fun to be with them and share good times but that alone does not signify love. Now many of the friends that have been made in the last several years, a love for one another is readily shared. Also when talking to old friends now I am able to express genuine love for them. This may be because I feel the bond of faith that we share. I do love others whom do not share this faith; but it is just that it comes almost automatically when we each have faith.
The second greatest of the Commandments is to “Love your neighbor as yourself”. That does not come easily; we have to work at it. Sometimes we harbor grudges for reasons we may have forgotten, but they get in the way of love for the other person. Often we simply cannot agree with the other, and this especially applies to politicians. I had a hard time putting aside my disdain for what some in political office harp about. In reading the Bible I came to know that this was like a grudge and God hates this. Once deciding that I could love the person without agreeing with him/her, it changed my whole outlook on many people. Now if I met with a politician that I used to “hate”, I could shake hands and even hug them if permitted. Worst case, I bear no grudge toward them as I know their beliefs have different foundlings than mine.
The greatest of the Commandments is “Thou shall have no other gods before me”. Jesus emphasized this with His words: - “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Once you know God, this becomes the easiest to follow. Even then though, we have to spend time with Him and He loves to have us talk to Him about anything and everything. This is not babbles, but things that are really on your mind. You don’t have to be on your knees to talk to God. More powerful than all the computers of the world strung together, God can be everywhere at once, and has time for everyone on earth.
I used to judge others. This could be because of the way they dress, their appearance, their speech, race or country of origin. It is still something that I have to work at, and look hard to see the real person. There is great reward in doing this as everyone has value and we can learn from all.
If this sounds as if I think I am pretty good, that is not true. My faith has caused me to recall all the good happenings in my life and to know that they came from the Grace of God. I would be nothing without the help that He has given over my lifetime. Further, I now realize that nothing He gave me was really deserved. Of course I did some nice things for others during my long life, but was this out of the goodness of my heart or for other reasons? Thinking this way made me very humble. I love God and am so happy that I finally found a real faith.
I hope that those reading this have long ago committed their lives to Jesus as their Lord and Savior. If not, DO NOT WAIT another day if you want to have salvation through Jesus Christ. Life and death are always uncertain. Confess to Christ that you are a sinner, ask for forgiveness, and accept Him as your Lord and Savior. Then live your life as the Holy Spirit prompts.