Infinitely Important or Insignificant

“One must keep on pointing out that Christianity is a statement which, if false, is of no importance, and, if true, of infinite importance. The one thing it cannot be is moderately important.” – C.S. Lewis

Before you read any further, know that this blog is mainly a rant at me that I am posting for others to read. If it can hit home and change a little part of your heart or inspire you in any way, then that credit goes to God alone because this is my attempt at putting into words what He is doing in my life. On to my ramblings…Earlier this year, my boyfriend, Josh, got a job as the high school youth pastor at Agoura Bible Fellowship. Since about May, I have been very involved with the youth group there. God has done some incredible things through this already.

We have been going through the book of Acts. In the past few weeks, we have just started talking about Saul/Paul. It is so interesting looking at his life and how he lived, completely sold out for spreading the message of Christ. Last week, the question Josh drove home in his message was “How worth it is your faith to you?”  Paul’s faith was everything to him. It inspired him to live every single breath for Christ. He endured harsh persecution and was beaten physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually all for his faith. He fought the good fight with no obvious earthly reward.

Following the message, in our small group, I asked the girls, “Why was Paul’s faith so worth it to him?” One of the girls answered “because he was broken.” I asked her to expand “his sin was so bad and he had been forgiven so he really appreciated God’s forgiveness.” I thought this was a very good answer. It’s true. Saul/Paul went through such an incredible conversion and experienced God’s forgiveness in such abundance, that he had no choice but to live in such a way that reflected that. Her answer also pointed out to me that maybe we don’t all fully appreciate God’s forgiveness. Whether that is entirely possible or not is a completely different conversation.

Aren't we all sinners saved by grace? Sin separates us from God. Whether you have murdered someone or just had one evil thought, you are a sinner and therefore separated from God. As Christians, we have received God’s forgiveness and committed our lives to Him, bridging that gap and entering into an intimate relationship with God. If you call yourself a Christian and have accepted God’s free gift, haven’t we all experienced that forgiveness in abundance?

I love the C.S. Lewis quote above. The one thing Christianity cannot be is moderately important. When you receive that forgiveness as a result of God’s love and grace, shouldn't everything about your life change? This decision effects your eternity. What could possibly be more important than that? Your faith should not be another aspect of your life that you occasionally resort to in time of need. It should be every part of your life. To the more mature, "seasoned" Christians, this may seem juvenile or basic. On the contrary, I think this is a point often forgotten. The importance of our relationship with Christ in our every day life is often over-stepped as we get caught up in the details and commitments of that life. The commitments that can often distract us most are those that are by common definition interwoven with our Christian walk, our church commitments. I know I am guilty of convincing myself that my relationship with God is of utmost importance in my life simply because of the fact that I spend so much time at church. That means nothing if my heart is not in serving Him and bringing glory and honor to him through what I am doing there. Do not let your "works" get in the way of your "walk."

In Christianity, you're either all in or you're out. Go big or go home. This is not a half-hearted decision. This is a decision that is all about the heart and where your motivations are in your actions. I'm sure most people have heard what the bible has to say about lukewarm Christians. "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth." (Revelation 3:15-16 NIV).

So the challenge (which was also Josh’s challenge to the youth group this week)- Evaluate the importance of your faith in your life? Is it of infinite importance? If so, act on that and live accordingly. Is it not? Figure out why not and what is getting in the way of your faith being the solitary most important thing in your life. He is the most important relationship. Investing in that relationship should be where all of your effort is going. I am so not perfect at this, but each day, I want to try a little bit harder. There is nothing in the world of such infinite importance as this.

Come back soon for a list of the practical things I have been working on to stop being so overwhelmed with the details and schedule of daily life and instead, prioritize my relationship with Christ.

Scriptures:

"These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." 1 Peter 1:7

"I have been crucified with Christ. Is is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. This life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20

"We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians 1:3

"What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ" Philippians 3:8