Celestial Diary

We’ve discussed what Christianity is, acknowledged its goals, and come to terms with them, but one crucial question remains: How do we achieve this divine goal? How can we ensure that we reach the finish line successfully? How can we be confident that we’ll live in eternity with our Heavenly Father?

As Christians, we are striving for a challenging goal—to be saved and live eternally with our Heavenly Father. While this promise sounds wonderful, it’s important to recognize that not everyone will achieve this (Matthew 7:13-14). To make this journey more manageable, we should set smaller, attainable goals that guide us toward our ultimate destination. To do this, we must understand the steps required to reach this divine goal and focus on meeting those requirements. Rather than being overwhelmed by the weight of the goal before us, we should break it down into actionable steps, just as no one wins a marathon by merely deciding to run the entire distance without preparation. Each small victory brings us closer to the ultimate prize.

Baby steps

To know what smaller goals we have to set for ourselves; we need to take a look at the big picture (Why Consider Christianity? Finding Reason and Meaning in Faith (Pt 2)). We’ve identified in the previous part five key goals that Christians ought to consider, and from these, we can pick out smaller, more manageable objectives. By breaking down these larger goals into actionable steps, we make our journey toward the ultimate goal—eternal life with our Heavenly Father—more achievable.

Salvation

Our primary goal as Christians is to receive salvation, which means the forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God. We believe this is made possible through Jesus’s sacrificial death and resurrection (John 3:16).

However, simply wanting to be “saved” is a broad and often vague goal. If we don’t fully understand what it means to be saved or what actions are required to achieve it, how can we expect to reach this goal? Even the desire for salvation needs to be followed up with a clear understanding of what it means and a practical plan for how to pursue it. Without this clarity, our efforts may be aimless, and the path to salvation more challenging.

• Avoiding sins: We, as humans, are sinful by nature, and avoiding sin isn’t as simple as waking up one day and deciding to stop doing wrong. It’s a process marked by failures and restarts. Just when we think we’ve overcome a particular sin, the devil often reappears, attempting to lead us astray once more. What avoiding sin truly means is continually choosing not to go against the will of our Heavenly Father. It involves making deliberate decisions to steer clear of anything that could cause us to stumble, staying vigilant in our faith, and relying on God’s strength to persevere through each challenge. (Matthew 5:28-30).
• Acknowledging our sins + Repenting: Recognize that sin separates us from God, and it’s crucial to understand what God defines as right and wrong. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide your actions. Merely acknowledging that you’ve sinned isn’t enough; we must repent whenever we fall into sin before we can move forward. Repentance means not just feeling sorry for our sins, but also turning away from them and turning toward God. It involves a sincere commitment to change our ways and live in alignment with God’s will (Acts 3:19).
• Believing in Jesus Christ: This goes beyond merely believing in God’s existence; it involves having genuine faith that He can intervene and transform situations for the better. It means believing that Jesus is the Son of God, who came to earth, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. This faith isn’t just intellectual acknowledgment but trusting in His power to guide, heal, and redeem us in every aspect of our lives (John 3:16).
• Living a life of faith and obedience: Salvation is not just a one-time event but a lifelong journey of growing in faith, studying the Bible, praying, and striving to live according to Jesus’ teachings (Philippians 2:12-13). Know what your cross is and follow in the right direction or else you’ll end up carrying the wrong thing and getting lost (Luke 9:23).
• Receiving the Holy Spirit: Upon believing in Jesus and repenting of sins, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within the believer, guiding, teaching, and empowering them to live a godly life (John 14:16-17).
• Remaining faithful: Continue in faith, resisting temptation and enduring trials, with the hope of eternal life (Matthew 24:9-14). It means staying loyal and maintaining the sacred relationship we have with our maker.

Living Like Christ

We should also strive to follow Jesus’s teachings and example, embodying love, compassion, humility, and obedience to God’s will (Philippians 2:5). How did Jesus live His life, what does He expect from us and what did He teach us. Being a Christian means being a follower of Christ; if we recognize that He is good and we’ve decided to follow Him, why not also do the good He did?

• Love and Compassion: Jesus demonstrated unconditional love and compassion for others, even those who opposed Him. He taught us to love our neighbors, show kindness, and extend grace to others, following the commandment to love one another as He has loved us (John 13:34).
• Prayer and Communion with God: Jesus (although He was also God) often withdrew to pray and seek guidance from the God the Father. We also ought to make prayer a regular part of our life, staying connected with God, seeking His will, and aligning our actions with His purposes (Matthew 6:6).
• Humility and Service: Jesus served others selflessly, washing His disciples’ feet and giving His life for humanity. Live with humility, putting others before yourself, and serve those in need, following Jesus’s example of servant leadership (Mark 10:45). Being a leader means serving others instead of demanding service from others; Jesus never oppressed, manipulated or forced anyone into serving Him because He was anointed. He served His followers and was recognized for His deeds.
• Obedience to God’s Will: Jesus was obedient to God, even to the point of death on the cross. We need to learn to follow God’s commandments and seek to do His will in all things, even when it’s difficult (Philippians 2:8).
• Forgiveness and Grace: Jesus forgave those who wronged Him, even while on the cross. Practice forgiveness, let go of resentment and offer grace to others as Jesus has forgiven us (Matthew 6:14-15).
• Living by Truth: Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). We should try to live a life grounded in truth, being honest in our words and actions, and standing up for what is right.
• Holiness and Purity: Jesus lived a sinless life. Let’s try to lead a life of purity, avoiding sin, and seeking to be holy as God is holy (1 Peter 1:13-16).

Glorifying God

The ultimate purpose of a Christian’s life is to glorify God in all things—through worship, service, and daily conduct (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

• Worship and Praise: Every morning we open our eyes, we have a reason to thank Him and praise His name. Regularly worship God through prayer, song, and reflection on His goodness. Praise Him for who He is and for His works (Psalm 29:2).
• Living a Holy Life: We represent Christ on earth (since we’re His followers) so we should strive for holiness in our thoughts, words, and actions. As much as possible, we should avoid sin and seek to live in a way that reflects God’s purity and righteousness (1 Peter 1:15-16). We shouldn’t forget to love, kindness, patience, and other fruits of the Spirit in our daily life. When we reflect God’s character, others see His glory through us (Galatians 5:22-23).
• Using Your Gifts for His Glory: Each of us has been given a unique talent/gift for us to use to glorify His name. Identify whatever it is you have and utilize the talents and abilities God has given you to honor Him. Whether through work, art, leadership, or any other area, use your gifts to serve God and others (1 Peter 4:10-11).
• Thankfulness and Gratitude: Cultivate a heart of gratitude, recognizing God’s blessings in your life. Thank Him in all circumstances (the good, the bad and the ugly), showing that you trust and acknowledge His sovereignty (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
• Giving God the Credit: Acknowledge God in your successes and achievements. Give Him the credit for your accomplishments, and let others know that your strength and wisdom come from Him (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Spreading the Gospel

We are called to share the message of Jesus Christ (the Gospel) with others, encouraging them to also find salvation and live according to God’s will (Matthew 28:19-20).

• Live Out Your Faith, be an example and be consistent: The way you live your life can be a powerful testimony. Show love, kindness, patience, and integrity in all that you do (Matthew 5:16). Let your actions align with your words. When others see Christ’s love reflected in your life, they may be more open to hearing about your faith.
• Build Genuine Relationships: Build relationships with people around you—friends, family, coworkers, or even strangers. Show a genuine interest in their lives and listen to their stories. People are more likely to be open to spiritual conversations when they feel respected and cared for. Jesus wasn’t just going around proclaiming to be God, He also cared for people, listened to their stories, ate and slept with them (John 2:1-2; Matthew 12:1-8).
• Be Ready to Honestly Share Your Story: Share how Jesus has impacted your life. A personal story can be very powerful because it’s unique to you and demonstrates the reality of your faith (1 Peter 3:15). Don’t be afraid to share your struggles and how God has helped you through them. This can make your testimony relatable and authentic.
• Share the Core Message of the Gospel: Start with the foundation that God loves everyone and desires a relationship with each person (John 3:16). Explain that everyone has sinned and needs forgiveness (Romans 3:23). Share how Jesus died for our sins and rose again, offering us salvation (Romans 5:8). Invite them to accept Jesus as their Savior and to trust in Him for salvation (Romans 10:9-10).
• Be Compassionate and Patient: Understand that everyone is on their own spiritual journey, and it may take time for someone to be ready to accept the gospel. We also need to be prepared to answer questions or address doubts people may have, and be honest if we don’t have all the answers.
• Pray for Guidance and Opportunities: Ask God to give you the right words and approach when sharing the gospel (James 1:5) and regularly pray for those you’re trying to reach, asking God to soften their hearts and open their minds to His truth (John 6:64-65)
• Trust in God’s Timing: Conversion is a work of the Holy Spirit, not something we can force. Trust that God is working in their life, even if you don’t see immediate results (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).

Eternal Life

The long-term goal is to attain eternal life with God in heaven, where believers will live in His presence forever (John 5:24).

• Believe in Jesus as the Son of God: Eternal life begins with believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came to earth, died for our sins, and rose again. This belief is central to the Christian faith (John 14:6).
• Turn Away from Sin: Repentance means acknowledging your sins, asking for forgiveness, and making a conscious decision to turn away from sinful behavior (1 John 1:9).
• Obedience to God’s Will: Obedience to God’s commandments and living according to Jesus’s teachings are essential aspects of the Christian life (John 14:15).
• Be Filled with the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit helps believers live according to God’s will and empowers them to overcome sin (Ephesians 1:13).
• Endure in Faith: Eternal life is promised to those who remain faithful to God, even in the face of trials and temptations (James 1:12).
• Be Baptized: Baptism is an outward expression of an inward faith and a public declaration of your belief in Jesus Christ (Mark 16:16).

My objective was to give examples on how to divide our main goal into smaller goals to make it easier to achieve. At the end of the day it’s up to us to decide what these smaller goals are, when we want to achieve them, how we want to achieve them etc. The list of smaller goals is endless (as every goal can be divided into another set of smaller goals) and it also differs depending on the person but they are all necessary to reach the top of the mountain.

I hope each of us will be able to figure out that which we ought to do to get to the place we’re supposed to be and I pray that the strength of God will help us through this long and difficult journey, send us companions along the way and reward us the moment we’re able to complete the race.

Stay Blessed x