There has always been this idea in the world that being a Christian is boring. Teenagers are always confronted with this ideology that Christianity is no fun because you have to be good all the time. Even adults still carry this mindset. Yet, as I have become older and looked at the lives of so many different people, what I have determined is that Christianity is the most fun of all! Living your life fully for Jesus is where you truly experience the real joy of life.
Jesus said, “I have come that they might have life and have it to the full.” John 10:10. Jesus wants us to have a great life! A full life. We are the ones who thwart that life with our own worry, fear, and poor decisions. But, true life is found in Christ alone. Living God’s way is always better than what the world has to offer, so why do we keep settling for the cheap imitation of the world?
The other day I was with my mom in her rehab center. We were talking with one of her nurses. She was younger, yet so kind and reassuring to my mom. I asked her about a particular tattoo she had on her forearm (I like hearing the story behind people’s tattoos because they are obviously very important to them). However, this nurse responded, “Well, actually I was drunk and it was a terrible decision. I have been sober ever since.” You could hear the regret and shame in her voice. Now, not all tattoos are bad, but this obviously a bad decision in her life that she lives with every day. However, this did open the door for a great conversation with her and affirmed to see her change. Yet, think about how many bad decisions have been made when it comes to the world and the regret, shame, and guilt that so many carry throughout their life. We have all done things that we regret. We have all made bad decisions. But, why?
Satan, our enemy, loves to play this tactic. “Come on, everyone is doing it. You will be cool. You will be popular.” From our teenage years and through the rest of our life, satan’s tactic does not change. “Get drunk. This is where the fun is.” “Have sex outside of marriage. It’s the ultimate pleasure.” “Spend money you don’t have, you deserve it! Who cares about debt, everyone is doing it.” “YOLO – You only live once.” And, yet all of this is about the world and about the desires of the flesh. And, every day people run after it, and end up with regret, shame, guilt, and debt (And, you actually live twice – in this life and in the life to come, and the decisions you make here impact your life in eternity). We all face temptations every day, and we are all one dumb decision away from ruining our lives.
Solomon, this extremely wealthy king in the Old Testament, did this. He grew up in church. He grew up with a dad who taught him the things of God. Then, he thought it would be boring to just follow God all his life, so he began to run after everything the world had to offer. He went from pleasure to pleasure. He had over 700 wives and 300 concubines. Women, parties, the finest clothes, the bigger the better. You imagine it, he did it. All the money, the celebrity status, everything the world has to offer – every pleasure imaginable. Yet, at the end of his life, he was filled with remorse and regret. He abandons the One true God, and his kingdom is split in two. In his old age, he comes to this conclusion, “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13-14. You can hear the regret in his voice. He missed it, but he is trying to warn those of us who come behind him. Live for God and do what He says.
I talked to a guy recently who said, “I have been consumed with pleasure.” He went on to articulate how his life has been chasing pleasure – it was always the next sporting event, the next concert, the next party, the next house, boat, car, or event our world of pleasure has to offer. While none of it is bad in and of itself (like a tattoo or drinks in moderation), this had become his god (and the god of so many today). The quest for more pleasure never quenched his thirst, but only stole his time, money, and attention from what he really wanted his life to be about. He was investing his life in things that did not matter. How many of us can say the same thing?
GK Chesterton wrote, “Joy is the small publicity of the world is the gigantic secret of the Christian life.” Jesus wants us to have a great life! A life filled with joy, love, and peace. A life without regret, shame, and guilt. God is not some Cosmic killjoy; in fact, He is the ultimate in joy and pleasure – He created it all! He just wants you to do it the right way. Every decision matters. If we will only trust Him and follow Him. We all make mistakes, but in the Christian Life, there is grace and forgiveness in Christ. We all mess up, but we can’t let this become a pattern. We must not become slaves to sin. Are you truly following Jesus and living fully for Him?
In the Christian life, think about all God has done for you. It is incredible! He truly is doing immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine – salvation in Christ (when we were dead in our transgressions and sins), eternal security (heaven awaits), family, friends, food, health, community, church, purpose and so much more! I love following Jesus! I love living my life for Him! What about you? The Christian life is the best life. We are forgiven, redeemed, restored, and made new. Are you living your life for Him or for the things of this world? Are you chasing after pleasure or chasing after Jesus? Is there anything in your life that you need to evaluate or change?
Make the rest of your life, the best of your life. Fully embrace God’s goodness and His grace. Don’t settle for this world when you can invest in the life that really matters. Experience the joy and fun that Jesus has to offer, and nothing in this world will ever satisfy. This is your best life!