I’m going to say this as clearly as I know how.
Christianity makes people better.
“What?!! Are you saying Christians are better than other people?!!!”
Yes.
Emphatically, explicitly, and unwaveringly – YES.
As you’re lining-up to scold me for being conceited, I’ll explain myself.
The last thing Jesus said to his disciples was, “Get out there and make some more disciples.”
Because Jesus was an egomaniac who wanted everybody to worship Him.
Does that make sense?
No. It doesn’t.
Jesus was leaving the planet as he gave the Great Commission.
What good are millions of worshippers when you’re not around to watch them genuflect?
As you’re typing your angry comment reminding me to be humble and loving, consider this:
Jesus said stuff like, “I’m the way, the truth, and the life. Nobody gets to heaven except by me.”
And stuff like, “I am the vine and y’all are branches. Without me, you can do nothing.”
Jesus taught that you will die without Him – Literally.
In my opinion, it’s better to not die.
Since Christians do not die, we’re better than everyone else.
As you’re hitting the caps-lock button to type the word “arrogant”, I’ll add this:
For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (Romans 5:11)
I’m not God’s enemy anymore.
Because of Jesus, Christians are adopted into God’s family.
That is WAAAAAAAAAAY better than being a Trump, an Obama, a Gates or a Rockefeller…
…in my opinion.
Jesus told us to make disciples because disciples live forever as God’s children.
That’s better than anything anybody else has going on.
Before you hit “send” on your declaration that my boasting is offensive and un-Christlike, let me ask you a question.
If you don’t believe Christianity makes you a better person, then why did you become a Christian?
6 Responses
We don’t become a Christian to be better. That’s arrogance. That’s like pottery boasting to other pottery. No piece of pottery can decide the value of another. We become a follower of Christ to be with Christ. Jesus is the Way (to, of, and with God), the Truth (to, of, and with God), and the Life (to, of, and with God). John 14:6. The focus should be on the constituents and wholeness of the Trinity, not our mortal selves. This is not a leaderboard or competition. This is a relationship.
People hate this kind of talk because we now know (because Christopher Hitchens told us) that following Jesus and genuinely walking in other-centered, self-giving love poisons everything.
I think Hitch was just jealous because Christians are better than him.
True. And now he knows. 🙂
If a young woman’s car breaks down & she is alone. If she sees a group of young men walking towards her would she become less anxious seeing their bibles and hearing them discussing the Bible study they just departed ?
I’ll start the discussion…
Many people “become Christians” because church distracts them from their suffering for awhile. I’ve heard testimonies where the individual listed one, self-focused, physical improvement after another and claimed Jesus fixed it.
Two weeks after coming to church:
“My kids are talking to me again, I got a surprise check to cover my electric bill, and I’m not even tempted to drink anymore because Jesus is a miracle-worker.”
I always wonder what happens to these people when they realize that Jesus doesn’t take all our problems away? What happens when they fight with the kids again and their electricity gets shut off again and they really REALLY want a drink to take the edge off?
There’s a fine line between telling people it’s “better” to be a Christian and accidentally telling them that Jesus is a Genie with infinite wishes. Being a Christian is better because arguing with family and struggling with temptation will be a thing of the past SOMEDAY… but most importantly, Christianity gives meaning and purpose to our suffering. Right now, all of those troubles serve to draw us even closer to Truth and Goodness himself.
That’s why Christians are better.