I became a Christian, in the true sense of the word, in my first year at the University in 2008. Much as I had grown up in a Christian home, gone to Christian schools and owned a Bible, I had never accepted Christ as both Lord and Saviour. I made that decision once and for all after reading The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. If you have not read the book, it is life changing and I highly recommend it.
When I became a Christian, there are things that I believed about being a believer in Christ that were not accurate. I would like to share three myths I had about the Christian life.
MYTH 1: I WOULD NEVER HAVE PROBLEMS IN MY LIFE
Here I was walking with God who promised in His word that never would He leave me nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5) and so where would hardships come from? WRONG! The fact that God would be with me did not mean that I would face no difficulties but that He would be with me right through them all. Several scriptures back this up. My favourite of them is John 16:33 that says… “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Indeed I have had many troubles as a Christian but God has walked with me through them all and has always made a way out.
MYTH 2: I WOULD NEVER SIN AGAIN.
I could not understand why now that I was a Christian, I still battled with pride, anger, worry, fear… Soon I found that 1 John 1:8 says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” Wow! So God expects that I will sin and to expect perfection this side of heaven is a long shot. This is not to say that sin is acceptable. I definitely have matured a lot through the years and the stronghold of sin over me was broken that I do not sin as often as I used to, PRAISE THE LORD.
MYTH 3: EVERYONE WOULD BE HAPPY ABOUT MY DECISION TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN
I quickly realized that the straight and narrow way is not appealing to many. Subsequently I had to let go of many friendships. I could no longer accept to be used as an ally of deception and this did not go down well with a few people. Once someone even told me that they liked me better before I got saved. This was shocking but I later understood that it was because I was not willing to participate in a lie and this did not work in their favour. Over the years I have seen my choice to walk with Christ cause strife with some relationships but also bring lots of joy. I am reminded of Matthew 5:10 that says “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”.
Do you identify with these? Please share in the comments below any myths you had about the Christian life.
Indeed, we all fall short and none of us is immune to sinning. It is by God’s grace alone that we are still here.
I believed every Christian was holy and righteous and that no one ever sinned again. I would judge harshly. But I’ve come to realise that we all have sinned and fallen short. Its by grace and grace alone that we get up and walk the straight and narrow road. Otherwise as human beings, its in our nature to sin over and over again.