If someone asked you, “Why are you a Christian?” how would you respond? Would you say you’re a Christian because you’ve never considered anything else? Would you say you’re a Christian because your parents were Christians? In no particular order, here are seven of my reasons:

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1. I’m a Christian Because of My Parents

If this were the only reason, it would be completely inadequate. However, it cannot be dismissed that I’m a Christian today because my parents instilled in me a love for God and His word (Proverbs 22:6). Christianity is a taught religion (Romans 10:17) and I happen to have been taught by my parents (2 Timothy 1:5). If you have children, and you want them to be Christians, then teach them to be Christians (Ephesians 6:4).

2. I’m a Christian Because of the Evidence

The evidence for God’s existence is overwhelming (Romans 1:20) and the evidence that the Bible is God’s word (2 Timothy 3:16-17) is equally convincing. We have, unfortunately, been told that faith and evidence have nothing to do with one another. God disagrees, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

3. I’m a Christian Because I Don’t Want to Go to Hell

When I was baptized into Christ, my primary motivation was fear. I was terrified at the prospect of spending an eternity in hell. Many might say that’s an improper motivation. However, the Psalmist says that “fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10). Fear shouldn’t remain our primary motivation, but when a person learns he has sinned and deserves to spend eternity in hell (Romans 3:23; 6:23), he ought to be afraid. A non-Christian ought to be terrified when he reads, “…when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus” (2 Thessalonians 1:7b-8).

4. I’m a Christian Because I Want to go to Heaven

Salvation is one of the greatest motivations. Not just salvation from hell, but salvation to heaven. Jesus Christ is “the way” to heaven (John 14:6). He is the ONLY way. I want to spend eternity in heaven. Not because of what will be there, but because of Who will be there. I want to go to heaven because that’s where my Lord is.

5. I’m a Christian Because I Love God

Over the years, my love for God grows stronger and stronger, but it has always been at the core of why I’m a Christian. How could you not love a God who would send His Son to die so you could live (John 3:16)? 1 John 4:10 says, “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

6. I’m a Christian Because Christianity Works

The Christian life is the only life that works. When I see non-Christians, stuck in a cycle of self-destructive behavior, I want to ask, “How’s that life working for ya?” When a person actually lives out the principles of Christianity, they have an abundant life (John 10:10). That doesn’t mean it is a life free of storms. But, it is the only life that gives you peace in the midst of the storm (Matthew 7:24-27).

7. I’m a Christian Because it Gives Me Purpose

People in the world are always asking, “What’s my purpose?” I feel so sorry for anyone who has to ask that question. I have found my purpose. My purpose is to bring glory to my heavenly Father (1 Corinthians 10:31). Being a child of God gives me a reason to get out of bed in the morning. It gives me a mission. If God did not exist, if heaven were a fairytale, and if Jesus hadn’t died for our sins there would be absolutely no purpose in life. As it is, there’s something inside each of us that longs for significance, purpose, and meaning (evidence that there is more to the world than just the physical). Being a Christian is the only thing that gives this life any meaning at all!

Maybe you have other reasons for being a Christian. If so, I’d love to hear about them in the comment section.

I love you and God loves you,

Wes McAdams

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