Where would I be today if I were not a Christian?

Perhaps you've seen the movie, "It's a Wonderful Life" with Jimmy Stewart in which a man gets to see how things would be if he'd never been born. All sorts of terrible things happen because it turned out he really has done some good in his life. And so, thinking along similar lines, what would your life be like if you weren't a Christian? You may have heard the phrase, "there, but for the grace of God go I." For those who choose to follow Christ, there is a change in their lives. They no longer have the same priorities. It's not all about them and their own needs. Their lives center around God and his greater purpose.

I want to take a look at this question. I think the answer can vary. Some of our lives in the physical sense may be much more difficult. Some of our lives in the physical sense may be much better. Whatever the case, I think that in a larger scheme of things, our lives are much better as Christians whether we are poorer or richer. We have faith and hope. This is missing in the lives of so many people who live for the moment. Life centers around themselves.

So as we think about the motives of Christians and those who don't believe in God. A Christian asks, "Is this right with God?" A non-believer may ask a lot of questions unrelated to God. "What feels good? Is this best for me? What can I get away with? Will I fit in with those I want to fit in with? Will it annoy my parents?" Now a Christian may ask himself, "what is best for me?" and come up with an entirely different answer than a non-Christian. A Christian thinks of would would be best in the eyes of God. What glorifies Christ? If someone does not believe in God, there is no absolute source of knowledge to draw from.

Job 28:28

And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

So, let's look at my life if I were not a Christian. (And I admit these are extremes I'm thinking of just for the sake of argument.) Where would I be?

Well, in the worst case, I might be a homeless drug addict. Perhaps around highschool I'd have started getting into drugs and alcohol. Why not? Why shouldn't I? It's very common to experiment with them. My grades go down because I'm not focused. What does it really matter anyway as long as I'm fitting in socially? I'm just exercising my freedom. Everything I do I excuse in the name of freedom...the freedom to do what I want with my body, freedom of speech, freedom of individuality. Perhaps I work my way into harder and more addictive substances. I live for pleasure because in the end, it really doesn't matter what I do anyway. Before you know it, I can't hold down a job and I'm homeless.

I think that many of God's commands for us are to protect us against ourselves.

Sexual immorality leads to deadly diseases. Alcoholism and drugs eventually destroy the mind. Criminal behavior leads to deadly consequences as criminals are often engulfed in violence or hurt or killed by police as they flee. And with many in the world, there is this constant search for the meaning of life. What's the point of it all anyway?

Galatians 5

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

As we read here, that if we are led by the Spirit, positive fruit results. Not only are we not being destructive and pulling down ourselves and others, but we are actually doing good. We are helping others in need...helping those who are down and poor. We reach out in love to build up rather than tear down. We look after the needs of others before our needs.

Now, on the other end of the spectrum, it could really end up quite well for me in this life. I'm sure some of you here have made decisions in your life that made things more difficult because you chose to follow God first. Perhaps it meant choosing a job that paid less or had fewer opportunities so that you could dedicate more time to God and your family. Or perhaps it meant making decisions about where you would live based on the congregation that you would find there. Maybe it means that I buy the software or CD instead of copying it. Maybe it means that I get up earlier in the morning so that I don't have to speed to work. It can be difficult to always make the decision to follow Christ. It can mean that you pass up opportunities. Perhaps it means that you chose the more difficult and honest path when there was a shortcut that would have been easier or cheaper even if it was dishonest.

[Verse about straight and narrow path]

Mat 7

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

So anyway, on this other end of the spectrum, let's say I chose to move where the money is, that I did what I could get away with, that I did what would make me popular with the groups I want to be in. I'm making good money but it's not enough. I'm looking for more. If some small legal hurtle is in my way, I rationalize my way through it claiming that the laws are unjust and constricting anyway. I surround myself with sexual immorality. I divorce and remarry several times. It just didn't work out the first few times but I'm sure I'll eventually find the perfect wife who won't mind me cheating on her. Perhaps nothing really bad ever really happens to me as a result and I get away with it all. But a day is coming in which I will pay for it.

[Lazarus the beggar and the rich man]

Luke 16

19 ¶ There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:

28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Even Godly people must be on their guard against things that would pull them down. We see an example of someone who was caught up in evil influences of others in Solomon.

Solomon at first seemed to be an undemanding man. When God asked him what he wanted, he said, "wisdom."

2 Chronicles 1

7 In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.

8 And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead.

9 Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.

10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?

11 And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:

12 Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.

God provided all of these things to Solmon. On top of wisdom, he gave him riches and power. But then we see Solomon become too wrapped up in these things as he forgets about God.

[Solomon's distractions from God lead to his downfall.]

1 Kings 11

1 ¶ But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;

2 Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.

3 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.

4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.

5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.

6 And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father.

7 Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.

8 And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.

9 ¶ And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice,

10 And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded.

11 Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.

12 Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father’s sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.

13 Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen.

So I'm not saying that we won't have any problems just because we are Christians. In fact, we read of many places in the new testament that warn about ridicule, persecution and problems we'll face. But I like to think of this as God's honesty. He doesn't promise that life will be a bed of roses.

Paul talks about his own suffering in 2 Timothy 3:10-17. He mentions that all who follow Christ will be persecuted.

10 ¶ But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Conclusion: Although in many cases, our lives may not be any different from those outside the church in any phsyically measurable sense, the comfort that comes from being saved is an immeasurable blessing to us. It's a fire inside that keeps us warm in this cold world. And we have Jesus Christ to thank for this hope. As His disciples, we seek to be a positive force in the world to do good as we serve a greater purpose than ourselves.