Answers
By Billy Graham • May 5, 2015 • Topics: Church
Q:
I went to church this Easter, and the pastor made a remark about people who are just Christmas-and-Easter Christians. He was probably trying to be funny, but I don't think he should've put people like me down or made us feel unwelcome, do you?
A:
I’m very sorry you were made to feel unwelcome, although I seriously doubt if that was the pastor’s intention. We’ve all said things we later regretted, and hopefully this will be true of him. The Bible says, “Let your conversation be always full of grace” (Colossians 4:6).
Although you don’t attend church regularly, I’m thankful you wanted to attend this Easter. On Easter, we celebrate the most important event in human history: the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ almost 2,000 years ago. On the cross, Jesus Christ (who was without sin) took upon Himself all our sins, and by His resurrection He conquered our greatest enemy — which is death. Because of this, we can have hope — hope for God’s transforming power in our lives right now, and hope for eternal life in heaven.
I hope you sensed something of these powerful truths during this church service (in spite of the pastor’s unfortunate comment). But I hope also that you’ll stop and ask yourself what place God should have in your life. Have you been keeping Him at arm’s length (so to speak) because you want to run your own life and don’t want Him to interfere?
Whatever your reason, I pray you will face honestly your own need for a closer relationship with God and open your heart and life to Jesus Christ. Easter boldly tells us that God loves us and knows what is best for us. Why not respond to His love by committing your life to Christ today?
