[Contributor: L. R.]
(in less than 500 words; to be exact, 443 words)
The Christian
life is centered on the believer’s faith in Jesus Christ. It is an act of trust
in Him. The Christian life is meant to be lived by faith. It is through faith
that we enter the Christian life, and it is by faith that we live it out. When
we begin the Christian life by coming to Christ for the forgiveness of our
sins, we begin to experience the goodness and providence of God in all things.
As we grow in our relationship with God, the Holy Spirit works within us, and
we begin to see how our lives have been changed because of Him.
However,
being a Christian comes with its challenges (costs). We are often hated and
persecuted for our faith. Many believers face insults, humiliation,
discrimination, arrest, beatings, torture, burning, or even death for their
beliefs. This is happening all around the world. Only Christians with deep
faith can endure such suffering. As I write, this persecution is ongoing in
India too.
Despite these
hardships, being a Christian makes us blessed. There is abundant life in
Christ. As Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.” If we believe in Him, we
have eternal life in His name. If we remain in Him, He remains in us. By
believing in Jesus Christ, we can be assured that even if we die one day, we
will rise again and be with Him in the Kingdom He has prepared for all believers.
Being a
Christian means fully believing in Christ, placing all our faith in Him, and
committing our entire lives to Him. In return, He blesses our lives. He is our
God and also a faithful friend who listens to us and never leaves us, whether
in times of need, despair, or trouble.
The life of
Jesus Christ is the perfect example of goodness. He lived selflessly, healed
the sick, fed the hungry, and taught us to love one another. Ultimately, He
died on the cross for the sins of humanity to give us the gift of eternal life.
His ministry and sacrifice exemplify God’s goodness toward mankind. After all,
the term “gospel” means “good news.” We are called to follow in the footsteps
of Christ, doing good deeds as He did, showing love, compassion, and kindness
to others, especially in times of difficulty.
As we follow
Jesus, we are not just followers but also participants in the good news He
brings. This means living out our faith in practical ways and sharing His love
with the world, just as He demonstrated for us.