Christianity is not a crutch weak people rely on in order to provide an explanation for the confusion of the world or to fulfill a “false” sense of security or comfort. Some evangelicals work very hard “selling” Christianity as an instant band-aid that heals all a person’s problems and deceives the world into thinking Christianity is “the good life.”

It’s time to stop underestimating the intelligence and maturity of the unbelieving population by delivering a spoonful of sugar to make the Gospel medicine go down. People don’t like being fooled.

This kind of falsely advertised, romanticized Christianity doesn’t last. Numerous new “converts” often immediately fall away from Christianity because their faith is based on an emotional experience rather than a disciplined personal commitment. There is no get rich quick Christianity and it is a bad thing to invest in.

 Spiritual rebirth as a follower of Christ requires a personal investment, an investment in the spiritual stock market. A person accepting Christ as Savior is graciously deposited with the Holy Spirit of God. When cared for properly, the investment of Christianity can result in a portfolio of spiritual gifts. Upon the return of Christ this investment will fully mature and be ready for withdrawal as an eternal and perfect life with God.

But the Christian life, at times, can be just as treacherous as the stock market. You see, when a person accepts Christ as savior and Lord they will continue to face hardships and problems and have also accepting Satan as an adversary. Think of Satan as the greedy and corrupt CEO’s of our time. He’s wants what he can’t have. If your investment is vulnerable he will try to destroy your investment. He cannot just take it, you have to give it to him. He will do whatever sneaky and decietful things he has to do to build your trust or distract you from protecting your investment. You must persevere when the “market” of life seems down and falling; it will go up again.

So, until Christ returns, the investment must be protected, watched and maintained. 2 Peter 1:5-8 helps a person understand how to do this: “For this very reason, make EVERY EFFORT to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self control; and to self control, perseverance; and to perserverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in INCREASING MEASURE, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive…” (emphasis added)

It will take EVERY EFFORT to protect and maintain the investment and will TAKE TIME for it to INCREASE IN MEASURE. You must always keep watch (not to be confused with paranoia, okay) and be diligient in the matters of your Christian faith. Eagerly await the day when the labor of your investment is fulfilled. Encourage others to do the same.

IF YOU INVEST IN GOD, HE WILL INVEST IN YOU!

 

This has had me thining lately about my life and I’d like to ask some questions I have to ask myself each day?

What are you investing in?

How am I continually protecting my investment?

How am I continually maintaining my investment?

How do others see my investment as a Christian?