Christianity – A Lifestyle

Photo by Romina Farias (unsplash)

While talking with a friend the other day, she confided to me that she was in need of a change of lifestyle. She stated she wanted to change her “old lifestyle” into a “new lifestyle.” This “new transformation” she said would include a new wardrobe, a new hair style, a first-time pedicure, a new facial makeover, with the final touch of getting her nails done and a body massage. She continued by saying that she was going to start traveling, allowing her adventurous spirit to take her to places she dreamed about but was afraid to venture out and explore. My friend was tired of her “current lifestyle,” and thought her proposed solutions would bring her happiness and fill the emptiness in her heart she longed for!

When she finished speaking her heart, I said “I know actually how you feel! I too, years ago, needed a change. When I had my change in lifestyle, it didn’t cost me a cent! I exchanged my “old self for this new self” and I now have joy unspeakable!” My friend asked, “how did you do all that without costing you a cent?” Glad you asked I said. This was my opportunity to share the wealth of the Good News to my friend.

I began by sharing my testimony of how God wooed me into His Kingdom. I started by telling her, my old lifestyle had been similar to hers, with no purpose and fillings of emptiness in my heart. I kept feeling this tug at my heart longing for something more out of life, but I didn’t know what! Father God used my sister and a neighbor, who is now a very dear friend, to point me to Him. Father God’s tugging at my heart went on for several months until He finally showed me the best way I would understand Him, and that was through His Word. He showed me my empty heart needed Him to bring me fulfillment and purpose. The day I said “yes” to Jesus was my total makeover. A transformation took place in my life, I was changed from the inside, which reflected on the outside. I told my friend, “you see, I immediately experienced a changed lifestyle!” Ephesians 4:22‭-‬24 is what happened to me and it didn’t cost me a cent, however, my Lord Jesus paid the price. It reads as follows: “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” The day I said “yes” the old man of deception was replaced with the new man after God, which is His righteousness and holiness. You too, I told her, can exchange your “old lifestyle” for a “new lifestyle” in Jesus Christ – for Christianity is a “Lifestyle!” A lifestyle that teaches one how to produce good fruit for the Kingdom of God, instead of evil fruit for the Kingdom of satan. A lifestyle that teaches you a new way of thinking, by allowing the spirit of your mind to be renewed.

Photo by Chris Liu-Rao (unsplash)

When we say “yes” to Jesus we are no longer clothed in our old self-righteous, we become clothed in the righteous of God in Christ Jesus, which is more valuable than any garment in this world.

This Christian lifestyle comes with promises that we don’t have to work for to receive, but rather we work to serve others because the Christian lifestyle is that of love.

My friend was astonished at my response. She said she already knew I served God, but she didn’t realize that by asking Jesus into one’s heart could bring about such a transformation. I would love to say she said “yes,” but she didn’t.  My friend wanted more time to think and digest my testimony. I am still praying for her, and haven’t given up on her because I know God is tugging at her heart, but He will not force anyone. Her hesitations are old traditions and beliefs! But, Jesus tells us in Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

Is Jesus knocking at the door heart of your heart? Will you say “yes” for a Christian Lifestyle? It won’t cost you a cent, the price has already been paid for your redemption and transformation.