The Truth About Being a Good Christian: Lessons Learned

Another Zinger

I feel as if today what I’m about to write is, in part, a forerunner of my last Out Of The Wild Blue Yonder. Another part of PERMISSION GRANTED. You can read it here Permission Granted

Again, this is the second of my new newsletters OUT OF THE WILD BLUE YONDER. It’s kinda like a sub stack within my web page. (I don’t have time to keep up with lots of platforms, like a real sub stack page. I’m too busy writing and working on the farmstead.)

JUST A WARNING THOUGH: If you’re not into my Christian themed opt-in newsletters, you might want to opt-out. But, even if you aren’t into Christianity you could be interested in this post.

The question is: Do you think you are a good person?

I used to think I was. Maybe you do too. If you do, it is okay. But what I’m about to share with you is something that I went through trying to become a that “good“ person. I found that being a good person is not quite so black and white. There is a lot of different doors you could open and go down many rabbit holes of intellectual debate.

For this narrative that I want to share, and not everyone will agree, is this: Does Jesus require me, as a Christian, to be a good person?

We will go to the Bible in a little bit. But first let us go to what the modern day church–now don’t get me wrong, I love the church and going to church–puts out there for us. There is a lot of information being published and publicized. What I’m about to share, I know, will only scratch the surface. But let me ask you this, “How many books from famous authors, or not, have you read to teach you how to be a better, or good Christian? To grow into your Christianity to be gooder (better)? Become a ‘gooder’ follower of Christ?

I’ve read and listened to a lot. If you’re like me, you have too.

I’ve followed many pastors and evangelists that seemed to be doing the right, “good works.” There is a lot in the Bible about doing “good” works. Those kinds of “good works” is one of the rabbit holes I was talking about. We’re not going down there!

In search of becoming “that good person,” I kept going and going, reading and reading, listening and listening and trying and trying to measure up. I didn’t feel as if I was that ‘good’ Christian as I watched others with the books, sermons and platforms telling me, “Do this and you will become a good, and prosperous Christian.”

I did some of it. I didn’t feel better or “gooder.” I didn’t get more prosperous. And because I didn’t, I felt I was somehow “wrong,” not good enough. I felt I was still missing the mark of being that good person, that good Christian.

Listen, while I was doing all that, I was working a job, being a homemaker, a wife, a mother and trying to follow Christ. My life was full, but I forgot to appreciate it in the midst of trying to also become that “gooder” person, aka Christian. I was trying to find my place in the Lord, in the body of Christ. I was making mistakes. I was not becoming that perfect Christian that was put before me by the modern day pastors, evangelists and teachers. It was an ongoing battle of do this, do that, give here and give there.

I’m wondering if any of y’all have been through this, or are going through it now? It is so confusing. Then one day, I felt the Lord telling me, “Della, stop reading all those books. Just read your Bible.” I was a little heart broken because I love books and I love to read.

But I did what the Lord said. I was obedient. Didn’t feel any “gooder.” But I did begin to learn a whole world of things that none of the pastors, preachers, teachers and evangelist were teaching. It took awhile because I was still sometimes doing things that I knew was wrong. I would say some bad words, or act uncharitable, or not give enough, which was wrong according to most of the information I was hearing from the modern day pulpits. I felt bad, guilty even.

I wasn’t measuring up to all the good works I saw others doing, and seemed to be requiring of me. There was always another person put in front of me as an example of what I should be, rather than what I was. In short, I still felt anguished and troubled by my actions of not doing enough or giving enough. Another preacher, another take on Biblical understanding left me in confusion. How could I ever be ‘good enough‘ to be a real Christian?

I didn’t grow up going to church. It was something I started doing after I was married.

Navigating and understanding the world of “CHURCH” took a long time for me. Fitting in was hard. But I tried. In my journey, I met a lot of church people that I still love today.

I don’t know if any of you can relate to what I’m sharing, but if you do, I hope I’m making sense to you. I’m not a preacher, evangelist, nor do I hold any title in that regard except that I’m a follower of Christ.

Did going to church make me a good person? Did reading my Bible cause me to become transformed into a good person? Did doing good works, according to my faith, make me a good person?

Now for the Bible!

A person came up to Jesus and called him good master. Jesus said, “Why do you call me good? Don’t you know there is none good but God?” (Mark 10:18)

So God is good, yes? Jesus said He was and he also said there was no one good BUT GOD!

What??? So I’ve been waisting my time trying to be good? Good according to who? Am I trying to be ‘good’ according to what the world of church says I should be, or what the world thinks a ‘good’ Christian should be? And if not, can they correctly call us out?

So here is the third question: Does Jesus require us to be ‘good’ or ‘obedient?’

Jesus said, “If you follow me, first go pick up YOUR CROSS, and then follow me.” Huh? (Matthew 16:24-26) So we’re supposed to be following Christ and no one else? not pastors? not preachers? not movements? not worship leaders? not secular movements? not media people? That’s pretty narrow way people. I get it. It ‘s called the narrow path, so narrow, in fact, that no one can follow in that path but you, and right behind Jesus. He’s creating that narrow path in front of you, making a way for you. It’s not glamorous, and most of the time not popular or exciting.

Okay. The Bible also says, “Obedience is better than sacrifice.” (1 Samuel 15:22) What have I/we been sacrificing? My life in Jesus for some path the world, or people, or popular church people tell me I should go down? You will have to answer that for yourself as I did.

Jesus also said, “If you love me, do what I SAY.” (John 14:15) Who are we listening to and becoming obedient to? Is it Jesus? Once again, you will have to be like me in that regard and answer it for yourself. No one can answer that question but you.

Jesus plainly said that there are no ‘GOOD’ people. None. Nobody is good except God. He said to follow him, and only him.

I began to unfollow everyone else in my life, even people I formally loved and trusted, and listened to Jesus so I could do what HE, Jesus said for me to do. From day to day, I began to find what I was looking for…peace in my heart. I began to fully understand what the scripture meant when it says, “…the joy of the Lord is my strength…” (Nehemiah 8:10)

You see, Jesus never said for me to keep trying to be a ‘good’ person. the Bible does say to do “good” so you could reap good. (Galatians 6:9) But becoming an ‘all time good person?’ That goal is impossible. You may do something good today, but tomorrow you may think a really bad thought, or say something terrible to someone, or may even lie to yourself, or someone else. You may even pass on false gossip.

I’ve did all these things while trying to be a ‘good’ person, a ‘good’ Christian, defined by the modern day church, and even the world’s standards for Christian life.

Where does all our ‘good’ go in these moments when we do bad stuff? Are we still good people in those moments? I wasn’t. Later I felt guilty. I felt terrible. I let myself down. I let God and Jesus down, too. There in lies the crux of the matter…confusion. Or should I lie to myself and say these moments of not being ‘good’ don’t really matter, because I’m a good person, right? I go to church. I read the Bible. I give to the church, to charities and to famous pastors. That makes me a good person, right?

Not according to Jesus. He said nobody was good except God.

Jesus knew that being a “good” person 100% of the time was an impossible goal. Only he could do that. We have the seeds of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil inside us. We are a mixture of both. Rather than good, He told us to be obedient to him and to God.

If you become obedient to God, to Jesus, our savior, our King of Kings and Lord of Lords, we will have to become his servants. To do that we will have to have a very personal relationship with Jesus, through Holy Spirit. This relationship will be forged through time, trial and error. (Doesn’t that sound like most relationships?) That is why it is very important for us to learn to forgive ourselves when we don’t get it right. I didn’t get it right all the time. But sometimes I did. I grew in the Lord during both of these times. But I didn’t always forgive myself when I got it wrong, and became disobedient instead of obedient. I beat myself up. Don’t do that to yourself. Asking the Lord’s forgiveness during these times of getting it wrong, missing the mark or sinning, being disobedient was a very great part of my journey. It will be a part of yours if you follow Christ down your own path.

When the Lord forgives us for getting it wrong, for whatever reasons, we have to learn to forgive ourselves and keep on listening for his WORD for us to follow. He grants us permission called GRACE to forgive ourselves. Learn how here: Permission Granted.

The question we should always be asking ourselves is not are we a “good” Christian or a “good” person. But rather, we should always be questioning, “Have I been an obedient follower of Christ Jesus, my King today?”

AS HIS SERVANTS WE SHOULD BE ASKING HIM EACH AND EVERY DAY, “WHAT ARE WE DOING TODAY, JESUS?” AND THEN LISTEN FOR HIS INSTRUCTIONS.

I stopped trying to be a good person. Rather, I kept God’s commandments in mind and tuned my ears and began listening to the Lord. My greatest desire that grew in my heart was to become his obedient servant. After all, we’re going to live forever in his kingdom with him, Jesus as our King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It’s better to start learning to be that faithful servant now and be ready.

But…I kid you not, my journey in this was not easy at first. But today, I consider myself a friend, follower, and sometimes fanatic, but all the time a family member of the body of Jesus Christ, son of the living God.

In this book, Inside Sarah Tent, a Handbook of Hope for the family, I shared some of my earlier struggles with triumphs and failures. It is the only non-fiction book I’ve written. It chronicles how I brought God into my home to save my marriage and family. Every word is true as I understood it at the time. I’ve grown a lot since then.

Inside Sarah’s Tent: A Handbook of Hope for the Home:https://a.co/d/aopu9fU

From Sarah’s promise for her home, to God’s promise for your home.

Hey y’all, let me know your thoughts!

Give me a comment, like and share this with your friends! Give me a follow to follow all my newsletters. Contact Hop on over and fill it out. Takes 3 seconds!

For more of my work, books, here is the place: Shop-For-Love where my series, Snowflakes, is, a series where you will find romance, love and characters that are a play on the word snowflakes. Because no two people are exactly alike. That’s the way God made us all, unique, one-of-a-kind people. There will never be another you, exactly like you. That’s the way God made all of us. And we should celebrate it! Yay! Glory to God!

Here are a few in the Snowflakes Series: These are wholesome, clean romances.

https://a.co/d/epIgJI4 Book #1 in the series. You’ll love it! Cowboys and girls falling in love.

https://a.co/d/2U4Xm5r Book #2 in the Snowflakes Series.

Okay y’all, see ya later! I hope you find some inspiration in this special newsletter! Let me know in the comments! Again, come on over and give me a follow. Contact Like and share.

I pray for love, hope and peace in your life,

From Romance & the Homestead,

Della

Homestead pictures: