Everywhere I Go: Learning to See JesusSample

IT'S EASY AND IT'S HARD I don't know about you, but when I became a Christian I said, "This is the easiest thing in the world. What a deal!" I walked down the aisle of our country church, said "I believe in Jesus," was baptized, and hence, my Christian life began. I somehow had the idea that I could live just as I had been living, and when (not if!) I did something wrong, I could ask God to forgive me, and all would be well. If I died prematurely, as a member of God's family, I would most certainly go right to heaven. I had this Christianity thing licked! But then a Bible study teacher named Mr. Alexander exploded my ease. He taught the Bible to us straight and clear. He ran a shoe store, but he was an anointed teacher who made me realize that receiving Christ was easy, but living the Christian life was not. In fact, many times it was downright hard. Finally, as I began to study the word on my own, I came to the conclusion that the Christian life was not hard - it was impossible! I could completely identify with Paul when he said he did what he did not wish to do, and did not do what he wished to do! If Paul struggled, what hope was there for me? Then I discovered I could not live the Christian life under my own power any more than I could get right with God on my own merit. I began to understand the work of the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. As He fills my life, He enables me to live and walk in victory. So I came full circle. The Christian life is easy. The Christian life is hard. The Christian life is impossible. The empowered Christian life is exciting - and that power comes from the Holy Spirit Himself.