Does Knowing Christ Give You A Better Life?

In Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace, Qui-Gon Jin just bought the freedom of Anakin Skywalker who was a slave. For those who have not seen the movie, Qui-Gon is a Jedi Master and thinks that Anakin is destined to become a Jedi that fulfills some prophecy that brings balance to the Force. Upon agreeing to leave with Qui-Gon, Anakin was told by him that the Jedi way is a tough life.

There are some Christians who believe that coming to faith in Christ will make their life better and they will become a better person. When you read the Bible, you will see that the Christian life is not easy. We will still struggle in day-to-day living. We are still in this body of flesh which is still feeling the affects of the fall. The Christian life can be a hard life.

One of the biggest misunderstandings is that knowing Jesus will make you a better person. As Brian G Hedges points out, "Christianity is confused with morality. The good news is reduced to good advice. And a religion of self-effort and moral reform replaces the true gospel of redemption, grace, and transformation."

When we say that Christ will give you a better life or make you a better person, we are preaching a self-help gospel. A self-help gospel is where everything you do in based on your own effort. Yes, our lives are wrecks before we come to Christ and they still are after coming to Christ. The difference is we trust Christ to save us from this body of death as we struggle from abstaining from sin and walking with Jesus.

Our lives may be one of destruction before Christ, but it does not mean our lives will be better and never struggle again. The Christian life can have joys and sorrows along the way. Jesus told us we will have tribulation in this world (John 16:33) and James told us not to be surprised when they come (James 1:2-3).

Knowing Christ does lead us to eternal life, but the road will be rocky at times. Knowing Christ gives a new sense of purpose, but sometimes we have doubts along the way. In the end, the journey will lead us to awaiting arms of the Messiah where we will have everlasting rest.