One of the dangers of Western Christianity is that faith is sometimes perceived to be a past event. A number of evangelical traditions make the so-called “sinner’s prayer” a critical part – if not the critical part – of experiencing salvation. People are invited to say a short prayer of repentance and faith, and, immediately afterward, pronounced to be Christians. One of the unintended consequences of this practice is that some people walk away from such experiences thinking that the Christian life is a one-time decision like getting a tattoo. Once the deal is done, life moves on. And for a lot of people, this means going back more or less to how they were living beforehand.
Given such misconceptions, it’s important to realise that faith in Jesus results in a whole new trajectory in life. Belief is not some highly touted landmark that one visits, takes a selfie, and then forgets. Belief is a road that one joins and then follows for the duration of life. This is why Christians have traditionally used pilgrimage as one of the central metaphors for understanding the life of faith. Once we profess trust in Jesus, the GPS coordinates of the heart are reprogrammed. The big question, where are you going? is answered in a new, hopeful way. Instead of death being the terminal destination of life, Jesus himself fills that place. The whole of life is lived with the expectation of one day appearing before the judgment seat of Christ. Being ready for that moment is the great intent that governs the day-to-day choices of a believer’s life.
Once this is understood, the question, “Who am I following?” takes on new significance. Much of the challenge of the Christian life stems from the difficulty of finding a way to follow Jesus in the midst of all of the distraction and temptation of the modern world. The indispensable guide for staying on track is the teaching of the Bible. A Christian holds the Bible like a traveller holds a map. It indicates the essential information we need to know in order to avoid hidden perils and to advance ever closer toward the end goal of life with God.
Here the church deserves special mention. Christians do not merely (or most importantly) read the Bible alone, but rather in community with others. This is why preaching holds such a central place in evangelical worship services. One of the main reasons we attend Sunday gatherings is to hear a faithful reading of the Bible that includes contemporary, personal application. The intention is for each believer to walk away from such sermons feeling a bit like a pilgrim who has just received instruction about a next stage of travel. We are more equipped to face imminent challenges because we have a better understanding of what it means to know Jesus and walk beside him through the struggles of life.
Now, perhaps someone is thinking, who would do this? Who would take on such a self-engrossing calling? The answer is anyone who appreciates what it means to be saved. There is a famous martyr of the last century who made the comment, “He is no fool who gives that which he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” The statement is true, but insufficient. The Christian life is not just about giving up a lesser life in order to receive a better one. The Christian life is about escaping judgment and recovering freedom. We might adjust the remark to the following: “He is no fool who trades misery and death for happiness and life.” Such is the offer that Jesus holds out to you right now. He says, “Give me your sin, shame, and death, and I will give you my righteousness, honour, and life.”
What person would agree to such terms? The answer is anyone who understands them.
By Joe Barnard
