I Don't Want To Be A Good Christian

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
(2 Peter 1:3 NIV)

One afternoon, I heard some commotion in the back of the house and went to see what was going on. Seven-year-old Chancey was trying to wrestle his G.I. Joe toy from his younger brother. Tanner had been playing with it, but older brother suddenly wanted it back. I said to Chancey, “Remember what you learned in church about sharing? Don’t you want to be a good Christian?” With a frown on his face, he responded, “No! I don’t want to be a good Christian.” Well, I certainly didn’t expect that answer. And, we had our own church meeting right then and there.
Later that evening, when I was praying that my second son not end up in hell, it occurred to me there was truth in what he had said. And, geez, I might be headed for hell with him. For when I thought about his words, I realized I didn’t want to be just a good Christian, either. The word good is defined as “satisfactory in quality, quantity, or degree.” Never do I want to be content with only a satisfactory quality and quantity of my life as Christian. Never do I want to be just a “good” student of God’s Word, satisfied with hasty readings of it. Never do I want to be just a “good” church attender, comfortable with what fits with my schedule. Never do I want to be just a “good” disciple, quietly pursuing my faith, but never sharing it with others.

No, I realized I did not want to just be a good Christian. For Jesus does not call us to simply be good. He calls us to be godly. For all the wrong reasons, Chancey had it right that day. My hope for you in 2015 is that you would not be satisfied with being a good Christian, but seek to be a godly Christian.
Holy God,
Thank you for the life you have given us. As we enter into this new year, may we each strive to be the godly people you desire us to be. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

In His Word,
Reverend Dee Dee