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[22Ματθαῖος37]

How to respond to: "Why should I be a Christian and what's in it for me?"

[jimwalton]

To be honest, the question itself reveals a bit of a problem. One doesn't become a Christian because of "what's in it for me". A person becomes a Christian because he or she believes that it's true, that God is real, and he/she desires to love God with their life. Jesus says that if you want to follow him you have to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow him (Mt. 16.24). Paul says, "What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him..." (Phil. 3.8-9a). So I hope you can see that the "what's in it for me" is an odd question from that standpoint.

At the same time, I can answer your question about why be a Christian, and what is to be gained from it.

1. I gain a relationship with God.
2. I am forgiven from my sins and my slavery to sin.
3. I am given new life in Christ. I am a new creation.
4. Christianity gives my life meaning and purpose.
5. I am a Christian because I find that the evidence for Christianity is convincing.
6. I am a Christian because Christianity squares with the way the world is and the way people are. It tells an honest and accurate story of humanity and life.
7. God changes lives. In Jesus my mind is transformed and renewed and my actions are focused to the direction of purpose and significance: the glory of God, the improvement of life, justice in the world, hope and help for the poor, and goodness toward humankind.
8. Christianity helps me understand history, science, philosophy, and psychology.
9. I am a Christian because Christianity makes logical sense and is reasonable.
10. It makes sense with what I see of conscience, morality, beauty, and purpose.