One question that gives me pause is, how is my life different because of my relationship with Christ? Sounds like a soft-baller but you can ask most Christians for specifics as to how walking with Christ has transformed how they make decisions, respond to disappointment, determine their priorities, etc. and the average church-attending American will struggle to give clear examples.

In fact, most could be atheists and still be decent, hardworking folks that you could trust to watch your house while you are on vacation. I have even heard people speak of how much slower they are to cuss now that they attend church. Other spiritual feats include... I don’t mind helping folks if they really need it... I try to treat people the way I want them to treat me... or, I don’t mind giving to the poor if they act like they appreciate it. Well, we have established that you are not likely to steal my lawnmower but the Pharisees, whose righteousness Jesus condemned, are still ahead of you.

My point is that Christ did not die on the cross to make us good neighbors, to pay our bills on time, to keep our racial prejudices to a minimum, or stay out of jail. In Luke 6:27-32 Jesus resets the bar from civilized to love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, give to everyone who asks, and for those who just take it away from you, don’t ask for it back. Then He really deflates these spiritual giants by declaring “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. (NASB)

Don’t misunderstand, loving your enemies will not get you into the Kingdom of God, but if we are in His kingdom, we are able to love people who do not love us, live with that inner sufficiency called joy, and demonstrate meekness as we relinquish our rights.

Decent... we can do. But real transformation only Christ can do. But, He can only transform us fine upstanding sinners with good credit scores when we are willing to fall before Him and confess our hypocrisy and abandon our self-righteousness.

Then, when asked for specifics as to how Christ has changed your life... you won't shut up for a week.

Pastor Mike Snelgrove