Christian? The Author C.S. Lewis Once Wrote

¶ … Christian?

The author C.S. Lewis once wrote that, "We are told that Christ was killed for us, that His death has washed out our sins and that by dying He has disabled death itself. That is the formula. That is Christianity." Though I agree with the truth of this statement, on reflection I believe that each Christian must establish their own reasons for their faith. The most important principles in my understanding of Christianity are the power of personal testimonies, how individuals live their lives and the power of local churches to influence their communities in positive directions. It is through these three core concepts that not only can one's faith be enhanced but as Christians we can grow our congregation and strengthen both the people in our lives and even total strangers.

Personal Testimonies (Topic 7)

God is always at work in the world around us. By reading Christian testimonies, we can learn about God's love, amazing grace, salvation, and His work in the lives of those that have come to faith in Him. Personal testimonies of faith are also critical to sharing the Gospels with others. Another person's testimony provides proper perspective, motivation and a solid foundation on which to build a life of purpose and personal growth. It is a source of confidence in our decision and a companion during times of doubting. A testimony provides us with a reason for hope and gladness. It helps us cultivate a spirit of optimism and happiness and enables us to rejoice in the beauties of nature. A testimony motivates us to choose the right at all times and in all circumstances. It motivates us to draw nearer to God, allowing Him to draw nearer to us. Often when speaking with new Christians the subject they want to share more than anything is how they came to believe in Jesus Christ. These stories shared by all of us, allow people of wildly different life experiences, lines of work and cultural backgrounds to connect over something we have all shared in coming to the truth. This fact also allows believers to reach out to those who are still uncertain regarding Christianity by offering a pathway and a lesson about how others have made the leap from disbelief to belief. In short, personal testimonies are a powerful resource both in order to strengthen one's own commitment to Christ but also to guide others.

Section 2: Living Life as an Example to Others (Topic 8)

Gandhi once said, "You must be the change you want to see in the world." If one wants to see a world of brotherhood and harmony, one must take active steps in one's life to achieve this goal. One way to do that is by living your life to the fullest and in accordance with the Gospel. Simply by living with a pure mind (what Christians call grace), you will attract those people who are ready to ask "what are you doing that gives you this calm and joy in your life?" A scattered and distracted mind is careless and unable to see the results of its actions. It has no patience or tolerance for those it encounters from day-to-day. With a belief in Christ and the Gospel one can cultivate better insight and awareness. There is no way to push your friends and family members towards greater belief in Christianity. The journey must be theirs alone but by refraining from judgment and living a life in accordance with belief one can in a way be a lighthouse in a storm to them and aid them in finding the one truth that can be relied on in the world and that is Jesus Christ. Furthermore, much sociological research has been done on the power of role models to influence children. By leading a virtuous Christian life, one can not only help save your friends but also stop younger people from going through the difficulties and dark times that many adults face who are devoid of a relationship with Jesus Christ. It is not easy to lead a Christian life but the rewards of such a lifelong effort are undeniable both for the blessings they will bestow on you in this life and in heaven but also in their effect on those people who surround you in life.

Section 3: Christianity and the Community (Topic 9)

All Christians know the image of Christ's agony dying for our sins. Christianity is much more than this macabre image. Because all humans matter equally to Jesus, the arms of Jesus stretched out on the Cross are extended to all who wish to be embraced by that love. His desire is that those who respond may be drawn into one worldwide community of loving equals despite ethnicity, material wealth or worldly power. Christianity's core values are acceptance, charity and compassion which should motivate every church to be involved in community outreach by clothing and feeding the less fortunate, helping to care for the sick and by providing social services. In doing so Christians are able to help others while reaffirming the central tenets of our faith. Beyond the religious foundations of charity, such activities build stronger healthier communities which can be appreciated by believers and non-believers alike. By engaging in community outreach, we can follow the path of Christ in struggling to repair the world and prepare for a better future. Also, as I wrote about it the last section, the message encoded in how a Christian leads his life can be a powerful advertisement of faith to those on the fence about believing in Jesus Christ. Another avenue for Christian community outreach is through evangelism. Man does not live on bread alone and by spreading the message of the Gospel, Christians whether they be important figures or mere college students can enrich their lives and the lives of other by knowing that one more person has accepted Christ into their hearts. Community involvement whether through charities or missionary work can be a rewarding experience which can reaffirm one's own belief.