Siler City 4/15/2025

What is the goal of a Christian?

I would suggest that a Christian has 3 goals:

1. A Christian is someone who worships God truly, honestly and personally. The how isn’t that important, as long as we realize that worship is much more than a certain style of music. It also doesn’t have to be very emotional or dramatic. However, it must be authentic and a personal response from your heart to what God has done in your life and for who He has shown Himself to be. If God really does exist, although invisibly, how do you relate to that fact?

2. A Christian is someone who loves God with their whole being. However, this love is not so much an emotion as it is a choice. It is less roses and rainbows and more a like a “yes” to God’s constant invitation to share in His life. For sure, to love God does involve emotions but they are not the cord that binds you together with God. Jesus said that we love Him when we obey His commands. Further, we are commanded to love, not only God but our neighbor. This clearly indicates that our love isn’t primarily emotional (you can’t command an emotion) but volitional. Whom do you serve this day?

3. A Christian is someone who loves their “neighbor” like themselves. This is a little difficult to explain in our age of rampant anxiety and “remember to take time for yourself”. Simply put, it means what John wrote in his 1st letter when he said that our love shouldn’t be just words and thoughts but actions. Everything in the Christian faith is both an inward transformation, a mental and emotional renewal and an outward outpouring of what God has done in you.

Then, at the end of our time on earth I hope that all of us one day will be able to say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” and to hear those amazing words from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, “-Well done, faithful servant”.