Why I Remain A Christian – Part 2

I believe we were made with a purpose which gives meaning to our lives. Hence what we do every day whether consciously or not is part of the process of searching for harmony between decisions and actions we take, and the grand purpose of our lives. In that case, I reflectively submit that to define life we need to satisfy our understanding of our existence, actions (including decisions) and purpose. My view is hinged on this scripture, “For in Him we live and move and have our being” [Act 17:28].

In expressing my understand of the three elements mentioned afore, I wish to use a scriptural context to which I will explain my understanding of my Christian view of life.

In the book of Luke the chapter 4, we read the account of Jesus’ encounter with Satan; a dialogue that has come to be known as the temptation of Jesus. Let’s pay a visit to the discussion or debate and see how it sits within the modern day view about life.

1. Existence

The Oxford online dictionary offers a definition for the word existence as “the fact or state of living or having objective reality” and “continued survival”. For the purpose of this discussion I will admit both definitions and use then interchangeably when suitable. However, my biggest challenge begins with the first definition – on the issues of reality. How do we measure reality? How do we prove reality? And is reality a universal concept?

Let me put it this ways… how do we measure reality with a Dutch when I say to him it is disrespectful not to say “hi” to people in an elevator when you join but take the time to say “bye” when he is disembarking. You see, in my culture saying “hi” comes more important than “bye”. Once you don’t say anything to me, I am closed to any further discussion with you — that is reality for me but not for him. Those familiar with this will remember what happens when you do not greet people you meet and you later have to come back and ask for some help or information. Another example is, to the Chinese time is 24hrs in a day’s work. Work can be done at anytime and delivered as long as it is within the 24hr cycle (a more stereotypical view though). Meanwhile the German sees time as 8hrs for his work and the rest for other appointment. Even though they may agree on a universal time, the meaning of time is given a different sense of reality. Well, it therefore stands to say the there are grey areas in discussing reality; nevertheless, there are well established fields as well which are universally verifiable. For instance, no human can exist without oxygen, or water for a certain number of hours or days. I can tell the difference between liquid and solids… this is universal and we can verify it. Having tried to deal with the issue of reality, I can now get more indepth.

So Jesus’ first temptation was “if you are the son of God turn this stone into bread”. We realize that existence is placed in both contexts of reality (relative and objective); as well as survival instinct. First of all, the issue about the existence of God and our relationship with Him is conditional in the statement by the mention of “if”. As if to say, if it is reality to Jesus to claim there is God then he should turn stone into bread; where the stone and bread reflect the survive aspect of existence. To rephrase the statement made, we shall have it like this, “if God is reality, and you claim you are his son then show me how you survive by turning this stone into bread”.

Jesus’ response, “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the father”. My first reason why I remain a Christian is that, my friendship with God sets me apart from mere material search for meaning. My scope of life is broader; I search for meaning not only for survival but also to prove reality. My reality is that I was once a sinner; condemned to eternal death – then Jesus comes my way and offers me life. It is not for earthly survival, but the reality that when I die, I want to be in heaven. I live with the gift of salvation – no matter how much I have tried to study about salvations, it still beats my reasoning, that God will love me that much and send His son to die in my place. It beats my thoughts, that when I am depressed and bound in the chains of fear, there on my knees with those quibbling lips and often meaningless and selfish words out of my mouth – my heart and mind can still find rest with Christ. I still don’t know how it happens, yet years after my father use to hold my feet in bed and pray for, that I find God ordering my steps in life no matter how far I drift sometimes.

I remain a Christian because, even though eating makes me strong to conquer my daily schedules, fasting makes me stronger to defeat spiritual battles. I am a Christian because, I have felt Christ closer than any other relationship I have had with any flesh here on earth. I am a Christian because beyond my ability to show my certificates, payroll, cash in the bank, number of friends in high places, and all that I may call success… there is always a avoid which lust, pleasure, and imagination have not filled except for the knowledge of His word and the love of Christ.

I use to worry about how well I can convince people about how reality plays in my world fused with my daily actions of survival to define the meaning of life. But I have news for you – I no more do. Rather I have kept this code for years, “to live is Christ, to die is gain”. Forgive me if you don’t see Christ in me because I don’t meet your standard, and this is the more reason why I am a Christian. Bible said, I love Him because He first loved me.

For this reason I still remain a Christian.

Written by Nathan Lee-Winans Annobi