WHAT then is the Christian life? What does it mean to be a Christian? How do you assess a Christian? Well, it doesn’t mean to be a Baptist. It doesn’t mean to be a or Catholic or Methodist or Presbyterian. Those labels do not make anybody a Chrstian. Being a Christian means getting up in the morning and saying in your heart: Jesus, you are my Saviour, my King, my Friend, my Treasure, my Hope, my Joy, my Guide, my Protection, my Wisdom, my Advocate, my Strength. I need you, I love you, I trust you to be all that for rne today. I know you have given me muscles and a mind and a will. I know you intend for me to use them all in doing things that are just and loving and God-honoring. But you have shown me that without you my will is rebellious. My mind is darkened and my muscles obey the rebel will and the darkened mind.

And so, Lord Jesus, I need you everyday. Work for me today not because I deserve it, but because you paid my ransom, Serve me today - to subdue my will, so that I love what you love and find joy in doing your will; to bring light to rny mind, so that I think the truth and see you for who you are, infinitely valuable and beautiful. And so may my body magnify you whether in life or death. That’s what it means to be a Christian.

The good news this morning is not that God offers to keep us from death or suffering. He doesn’t. The good news is that God works for those who wait for Him - Isaiah 64: 4, even in suffering and death. He forgives all our sins, he removes all our guilt, he takes away all our condemnation through the death of Jesus. And in the place of sin and guilt and condemnation God works for us, He rnakes Himself our Servant not only at the cross but every day of our lives. He pursues us with goodness and mercy. He works all things together for our good - even the hardest things. He never leaves us nor forsakes us so that we can confidently say ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?”- Hebrews 13: 6. And in the end he will carry us safely through death and bring us home to heaven and everlasting life and joy. And there too he will serve us. He will never surrender the all - glorious position of infinite self sufficiency as the overflowing fountain of life and joy.

His closing word to you this morning is this - Matthew 11: 28-30: come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

The yoke of faith and obedience are easy and light because even when he puts it on us He carries it. I Fear not, for I am with you,be not dismayeel, for I am your God,’ I will strengthen you/ I will help you/ I will uphold you with my victorious right hand”- Isaiah 41: 10.

Benediction
Now may the God of peace, who gave his son as a ransom for many by his blood, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working for us and in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

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