There are different ways that people try to make a case for Christianity.  Some people use scare tactics: “If you aren’t a Christian, you can’t go to heaven.”  Or something along those lines.  Frankly, I don’t know who is going to heaven or what the entrance requirements are.  And you know what?  It’s none of my business.  Heaven and its entry requirements are God’s business, and I try not to stick my nose in God’s business whenever possible.

Others argue that Christianity is the only “true religion.”  I can’t be sure of that either.  There are lots of Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists who seem like awfully nice people to me.  If God has a religious preference, He hasn’t mentioned it to me.  So as far as I am concerned, His preferred religion (if He has one one) is His business.  And again, I am keeping my big nose out of it.

Here is my simple case for Christianity, that has nothing to do with the arguments above:  It works.  If you actually follow the teachings of Jesus, you will be a happier person.  How do I know this?  Personal experience.  When I try to apply the teachings of Jesus to my life, it runs smoother.  When I don’t do so, I have problems.

The beauty of Christianity is that it gives me a blueprint for my life.  If I choose to follow the teachings of Jesus, my life is very simple.  I am not going to judge others.  I am going to turn the other cheek instead of lashing out.  I am going to treat others as I would like to be treated – with compassion, kindness and patience.  These are simple, though not easy life principles to follow.  But if I try to follow them, in my own imperfect way, somehow my life is better as a result.

What I also know is that when I stray from the teachings of Jesus, I end up creating problems for myself and others.  When I look back on my own life, my greatest regrets are the times that I did not act in the way that God would have wanted.  I regret the times that I failed to be patient.  I regret the times when I was judgmental, instead of remembering “the log” in my own eye.  And I regret the times that I failed to speak up on behalf of another person, instead of being a champion of justice and fairness.

My case for Christianity is that the teachings of Jesus save us from ourselves.  We each are our own worst enemy.  If every time we wanted to succumb to our baser instincts, we instead thought “WWJD,” our lives would be significantly better.  This week, take some time to read the Gospels.  Consider how following the teachings of Jesus could impact your life.  Think about the dramatic change that might occur if you submit your life to God, and let the teachings of Jesus dictate all that you do.