By Chia Jing Lyn

The journey of being a Christian started since I was 14 years old. I was enrolled in the Sunday school programme for about a year before progressing to a fundamental class as I would call it. Ultimately, the lessons point you to the direction of becoming a Christian. When the fundamental class was coming to an end, pressure starts to kick in as your classmates have decided to follow Christ and expectation was set upon you to do the same. Therefore, more often than not brethren would come up to me asking, “Are you ready?” Usually I just shook my head gently and gave a sheepish smile. Some urged me to make up my mind the sooner the better as “Right now is a good time and we are not sure what tomorrow holds.” To be honest, while I do believe in the gospel, a part of me just didn’t want to be different from the rest.

Throughout the years, many brethren helped me acquire a deeper understanding about the bible whether it be the new converts’ class, sermons, or bible classes. Slowly and surely, I became convinced that salvation is only possible through Christ alone and we are provided with no alternatives (Acts 4:12), and that Jesus is the only way we can be saved (John 14:6).

Even from logical reasoning, facts cannot deny that there is an existence of God and He is none other than the God of the bible. People tend to ask what will they benefit if they become Christians. Well, there are many answers to that but an illustration would be that of your earthly father. Picture your dad and how he always manages to provide to the best of his ability, and make time for his children even though he barely has any time to spare due to work. And his love for his children is sacrificial and unconditional. Therefore, imagine how much more your Heavenly Father will give you if you ask Him? (Luke 11:13). I think a better question is why wouldn’t one want to be a child of God? 

 After giving it some thoughts, it is God’s love that compels me to follow Him because I am moved by His sacrifice for us (John 3:16, Romans 5:8). There is little we can do to repay His love but we can lead our lives in a manner that pleases Him and glorify Him as our Saviour. To love God is to keep His commandments (John 14:15). We ought to love in words and in deeds. James 2:19 “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe and tremble!” Our belief should be accompanied by obedience to the word of God. 

While other religions teach good as well, the bible has a higher standard of living. It includes loving our enemies (Matthew 5:44), repaying evil with good (Romans 12:21) and so on. We will know how to conduct ourselves in our daily lives as it is stated in Psalms 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Not only does it focus on spirituality but there is a balance as it teaches you how to lead your life while you are here on earth. With all that said, what hinders you to be a Christian?