Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

The Wonder Of Being A Christian

1 JOHN 1:1-4 – That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

THEME OF THE DAY. THE WONDER OF BEING A CHRISTIAN. If you haven’t done this recently, please take time soon and do so. Just pull off the fast lane of life and do this; take your Bible, open to today’s scripture and read it aloud. Then, pray something along these lines – “Father, please grant me three things; deepen within me the sense of awe that You would make me Your child; show me the wonders of Your Son taking on humanity; and fill me with the fullness of joy in realizing both these amazing truths.” The wonder of being a Christian. Does it grip us? Does it direct our lives? Does it shape our priorities? Does it wean us from the world? Does it enable us to live above circumstances? Does it help us make sense in this chaotic world?

In today’s scripture, the Apostle John reveals two truths helping us develop and maintain child-like wonder over God’s amazing grace making us Christians; beloved children of His.

First, there is the wonder of Christ’s incarnation – That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us (1 John 1:1-2). John purposefully starts out his letter with an emphasis on Christ’s deity and humanity. Why? To encourage his recipients to a full assurance of salvation. 1 John is written to Christians struggling with assurance. And the Apostle takes them to where the height of assurance is found; the living Christ, the literal Christ, the Christ who is just as real as them. I know. I know. We have no problem believing and confessing that Jesus is real; a real person – the Godman. But what happens when the flaming darts of doubt come? What happens when we lack assurance? Our belief is assaulted. And one sure way to quench those flaming darts is to remember the incarnation of Christ. This process of renewing our minds with the truth that Jesus is a real and present Savior will bring us to the victory side in the battle for assurance.

Then, there is the wonder that God calls us to know or fellowship with Him – that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. Friends, never allow the things of the world and the passions of our flesh to pull us way from the astounding privileges of being a Christian. They are the privilege to know and walk with God. Here is a certain way to ensure we maintain consistency in prayer and Bible. When tempted to neglect or ignore both due to the screaming demands from our temporal lives, pause and think what we are about to do – neglect communication and communion with God. If we constantly remind ourselves that the wonder of being a Christian is fellowshipping with God and the primary means of this experience occurring is through His Word and prayer, we won’t lack consistency. We will safe-guard daily time with Him because we are gripped with the wonder of being a Christian – the wonder of knowing and walking with God.

So, push the pause button on life today, and ponder the wonder of being a Christian. In doing so on a regular basis, the wonder of being a Christian will lead to the wonderful life of living as a Christian.

PRAYER: “Father, help me to avoid an indifferent spirit toward Your amazing grace.”

QUOTE: “Strive to maintain a child-like wonder over the privilege of being a Christian.”