4 Pros and 4 Cons of Being a Christian

Pro 1 – Salvation

When someone trusts in Jesus’ death and resurrection, they receive the gift of salvation. This is a gift because we do nothing to earn or merit salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). Rather, God graciously gives us salvation based on what Jesus did for us (Titus 3:5-7).

Some people may wonder, though, what it means to “be saved” and what they are being saved from. Even Christians can become so accustomed to the term that they forget its impact. To be saved refers to our rescue from sin. All humans have inherited a sinful nature from our first parents, Adam and Eve. They disobeyed God and brought sin and death into the world (Romans 5:12). As a result, we all have a proclivity towards sin. We also freely choose to do wrong. Scripture says, “[T]here is no one who does good, not even one” (Romans 3:12).

God could have left us in our lost condition, but He chose instead to save us because of His love (Romans 5:8). He sent His Son to die in our place, paying the penalty for our sins (John 3:16; Romans 3:24). In His resurrection, Christ defeated the power of sin and death. Anyone who places faith in His death and resurrection receives salvation from sins so that they are forgiven and made new (Romans 10:9-11).

We also receive eternal life. One of the consequences of Adam and Eve’s sin is that people die. In Jesus, we receive the promise that we will live, even though we die (John 11:25-26). One day, we will be resurrected to live with our Lord forever in a renewed creation.

To “be saved,” therefore means to be set free from the bondage of sin and death. Believers are dead to sin and alive in Christ (Romans 6:6-8). No longer are we children of darkness, but children of God. We have a new life in Jesus – one that will never end. What greater blessing could we ask for?

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Pro 2 - A Relationship with Jesus

At salvation, individuals enter a relationship with the Lord Jesus. Eternal life, in its biblical definition, includes living forever with the Lord, who knows believers and is known by them (John 17:3). Hence, those who have not placed faith in Christ are not known by Him (see Matthew 7:23).

From the beginning, God wanted us to be in a relationship with Him, to walk with Him in peace and unity. Adam and Eve broke this relationship with the Creator in their sin (Genesis 3:8-10). All humans have been affected since sin separates us from the Lord. We cannot walk with God in friendship if we are still held in bondage to sin, for our sinful actions make us enemies against Him (Colossians 1:21).

When we place faith in Jesus, though, we who were once far away are brought near to the Lord (Ephesians 2:13-17). Christ reconciles us to the Father so that we can know Him and live forever with Him in fellowship (2 Corinthians 5:18; Colossians 1:22). In eternity, God will dwell with saved humanity in peace and love (Revelation 21:3).

Christians have the perfect friend in Jesus. He is always with us and loves us unconditionally. We never have to worry about Him getting tired of us and leaving. Even if we go astray at times, He remains faithful (2 Timothy 2:13).

Nonbelievers do not have this promise. As much as they might try to find a steadfast friend, they will never know anyone as loving and faithful as the Lord. No one can fulfill us as He does.

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Pro 3 - An Abundant Life

In addition to having salvation and an everlasting relationship with the Lord, Christians have the promise of an abundant life. Jesus explained, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). Our Good Shepherd came to save us from sin and death to give us life – one overflowing with richness and goodness.

People may have different assumptions of what it means to have “abundant life.” Many individuals think of the “good life” as promoted by the world’s standards. This would include wealth, possession of material goods, perfect health, and pursuits of pleasure.

However, the life Jesus gives is truly satisfying. It is not focused on the fleeting pleasures of the world or the accumulation of wealth and possessions, but on contentment and enduring joy. Believers have abundant life because they have a relationship with Christ. They know they have all they need in Him, that He is their Shepherd who guides them to green pastures and gentle waters (Psalm 23:1-3). Even in the dark valleys of life, they know their Shepherd will be with them (Psalm 23:4-5). His sheep are fully satisfied in Him.

Thus, the Apostle Paul found that he could be content no matter the circumstance – whether hungry or full, in need or plenty (Philippians 4:11-12). He drew strength from Christ, the source of his abundant life (Philippians 4:13). Today, believers can do the same and flourish despite their circumstances.

In contrast, those who do not place faith in Jesus will never find a truly satisfying life. They may have all that the world says will make them happy yet feel empty. The good news is that Jesus invites all people to experience abundant life: “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture” (John 10:9).

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Pro 4 - A New Purpose with Eternal Significance

Those who live apart from Christ and do not believe in Him live as slaves to sin. Although people are often not as evil as they could be, and some even act kindly toward others, humans are prone to be selfish, rebellious creatures. Without Jesus, people pursue lives that are self-focused and devoid of eternal significance.

Individuals may argue that they are making a name for themselves that will be remembered in history. Or that they will achieve a celebrity-like status in which others praise them for their deeds and talent. People many years from now may recall their name, but eventually, fame, wealth, and any other deeds will fade from memory.

God’s Word says, “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:17). Deeds done for Christ by believers will endure for eternity while those accomplished for selfish, sinful purposes will crumble and fade. Christians have received new lives in Jesus. No longer do they live for themselves, but for Him who died for them (2 Corinthians 5:15). As they follow Christ and live for His glory, believers build up riches for themselves in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).

In a twist of events, then, the Christian who is esteemed as a “nobody” in the eyes of the world is valued by God above powerful rulers and rich celebrities who do not know Him. For example, a believer could spend a lifetime working to share the gospel and make disciples in seemingly small and common ways that are unrecognized by others. His or her name may never appear in a history book or be applauded by crowds. However, in eternity, King Jesus will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:23).

Christians are set free from the power of sin to live for the glory of God. In this way, they have the blessing of a new life and renewed purpose that will make an eternal impact.

Now, let’s take a look at four “cons” of being a Christian.

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Con 1 - Death to Self

Being a follower of Jesus comes with discomforts and risks. The Lord wants His disciples to deny themselves and die to their former way of life (Matthew 16:24). Christians are meant to give up everything, including their old selves, desires, and plans, to instead follow Jesus. Doing this is not easy or comfortable. 

We see this illustrated in the story of the rich young ruler. Although he was wealthy and lived a comfortable life, he yearned for eternal life. He had kept all the commandments but knew his efforts were not enough. When he asked Jesus how he could have eternal life, Jesus told him to give away his riches and possessions to the poor (Matthew 19:16-21). Christ did not mean that giving away wealth to the poor saves anyone. Rather, He was revealing the heart of the young ruler. The man loved his riches to the point of idolatry and trusted in his wealth and position. He could not fully trust in Christ for salvation, and thus, did not become a disciple at that time (Matthew 19:22).  

If we cannot give up the old things we cherished before knowing Christ or surrender our plans to Him, then we cannot be His disciples. Jesus desires our whole life because He came to transform every aspect of it. Dying to self is not a comfortable experience, and not something most would seek out. Yet, it is an integral part of being a Christian. 

Believers know that dying to self is worth the discomfort. In losing our lives for Christ’s sake, we find them (Matthew 16:25). As Jim Elliot, a missionary who died taking the gospel to the Waorani people, famously wrote, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

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Con 2 - Being a Disciple Is Costly

Christians also face many risks by following Jesus. The Lord told His disciples they would face troubles in life and that others would hate them because of Him (John 16:33). Although Jesus gives believers an abundant life, He never promised an easy life free from suffering. Following Christ is costly.

There are varying risks, though, depending on the context in which a believer lives. In certain parts of the world, believers endure physical persecution and death for the sake of Christ. The cost of being a Christian is a daily reality.

However, in areas like the West, believers are free to worship the Lord and talk about Him. They probably will never face the same type of suffering as Christians in North Korea or Saudi Arabia. The risks are different. In America, for example, people may think badly of Christians or treat them as if they are ignorant. At times, believers can lose friends, connections to family members, and jobs because of their devotion to Jesus. Physical harm is not the risk. Rather, the cost could be a person’s reputation, relationships, and social standing.

Regardless of where a person lives or their background, being a disciple is costly. Jesus told us to carefully count the cost, and we are wise to do so (Luke 14:28-33).

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Con 3 - Possible Disruption in Relationships

Imagine the difficulties a person would face if he or she came from a family of committed atheists and chose to trust in Jesus for salvation. The individual’s parents may feel betrayed or hurt that their child believes in something they deem as foolish and ignorant. Siblings or other relatives may mock the new Christian or try to find arguments to discourage their new belief. The new believer’s familial relationships will never be the same.  

Jesus knew that He would cause dissension in families and other relationships. As He said, “I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Your enemies will be right in your own household!” (Matthew 10:35-36). Absolute commitment to Christ means that everything else takes second place to Him. A disciple should love Jesus more than anyone else, including family or friends (Matthew 10:37). 

If we choose to place faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection, we should know that there will be people who do not like our decision or complete allegiance to Christ. These people could even be our closest loved ones and friends. Disruption in relationships is another aspect of the Christian life that we should recognize and expect.

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Con 4 - Persecution

Despite the examples in history of Christians suffering and dying for their faith in Jesus, many believers today think that persecution is the exception, not the rule, of being a disciple. However, the Apostle Paul warned that those who desire to live a godly life would be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12). Far from being the exception, the Bible reveals that suffering and persecution are a normal and expected part of being a follower of Christ.  

Lots of people like the idea of having salvation and abundant life, but they do not want to endure pain or loss because of Jesus. The moment hardship or persecution comes from following Jesus, they will fall away (Mark 4:17). Or they may choose to follow a counterfeit gospel, like the prosperity gospel that promises a comfortable life of health and wealth with no personal cost or commitment to Christ. The Bible presents a call to discipleship that not everyone can or will accept.    

Those who know Jesus and understand what He did for them, though, will have a different view. He gave His life to save us, becoming poor for our sake so we may become rich in spiritual blessings (2 Corinthians 8:9). How could we not surrender everything to Him? If we are willing to give up everything and place Jesus first in life, then we will accept suffering for His sake. Like the disciples in the early church, we will rejoice in persecution, not because we delight in pain, but because we are counted “worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus” (Acts 5:41).   

After going through the checklist of pros and cons, may we count any cost as worth it to know the Lord Jesus Christ.

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