There is a common misconception that the Christian life is easy and is for weak people who need a crutch. The reality is far from this. Many Christians worldwide and throughout history have been persecuted and sometimes killed for their beliefs. Also living the Christian life is not easy as it is counter cultural and at times radical. It challenges the notion that it’s ok if it makes you happy and doesn’t intrinsically hurt anyone else. It instead presents a better way of life – God’s way. Christianity is all about a relationship with Jesus, recognising Him as God and allowing Him to be God in our lives.
The only real reason to become a Christian, or as some say, to convert to Christianity, is because you believe with all of your heart that God exists, that his Word—the Bible—is true, and that Jesus Christ is who he says he is: “I am the way and the truth and the life.” (John 14:6 NIV)
Becoming a Christian won’t make your life easier but it will make it better and much more fulfilling. The Bible does present several very convincing reasons to become a Christian. Here are six life-changing experiences worth considering as reasons to become a follower of Jesus.
There is no greater demonstration of devotion, no greater sacrifice of love, than to lay down your life for another. John 10:11 says, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (NIV) The Christian faith is built upon this kind of love. Jesus gave his life for us: “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 NIV).
And just as we freely receive Christ’s love, as his followers, we learn to love like him and spread this love to others.
Similar to knowing God’s love, absolutely nothing compares to the freedom a child of God experiences when released from the heaviness, guilt and shame caused by sin.
Romans 8:2 says, “And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.” (NLT) At the moment of salvation, our sins are forgiven, or “washed away.” As we read God’s Word and allow his Holy Spirit to work in our hearts, we are increasingly set free from sin’s power.
And not only do we experience freedom through forgiveness of sin, and freedom from sin’s power over us, we also begin to learn how to forgive others. As we let go of anger, bitterness and resentment, the chains that held us captive are broken through our own acts of forgiveness. Simply put, John 8:36expresses it this way, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (NIV)
The freedom we experience in Christ gives birth to lasting joy and abiding peace. 1 Peter 1:8-9 says, “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (NIV)
When we experience God’s love and forgiveness, Christ becomes the center of our joy.
It doesn’t seem possible, but even in the midst of great trials, the joy of the Lord bubbles deep within us and his peace settles over us: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7 NIV)
God sent Jesus, his only Son, so that we could have relationship with him. 1 John 4:9 says, “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” (NIV) God wants to connect with us in intimate friendship. He is ever present in our lives, to comfort us, to strengthen us, to listen and to teach. He speaks to us through his Word, he leads us by his Spirit. Jesus wants to be our closest friend.
We were created by God and for God. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (NIV) We were created for worship. Louie Giglio, in his book, The Air I Breathe, writes, “Worship is the activity of the human soul.” The deepest cry of our hearts is to know and worship God. As we develop our relationship with God, he transforms us through his Holy Spirit into the person we were created to be. And as we are changed through his Word, we begin to exercise and develop the gifts God has placed within us. We discover our fullest potential and true spiritual fulfillment as we walk in the purposes and plans that God not only designed for us, but designed us for. No earthly accomplishment compares to this experience.
A great verse in the Bible, Ecclesiastes 3:11 says that God has “set eternity in the hearts of men.” I believe this is the reason we experience an inner longing, or emptiness, until our spirits are made alive in Christ. Then, as God’s children, we receive eternal life as a gift (Romans 6:23). Eternity with God will far exceed any earthly expectation we can begin to imagine about heaven: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT)
(Based on https://www.thoughtco.com/why-become-a-christian-701021)