The host of a radio program told about a man who described his religious views by saying, "I'm a Christian on Christmas and Easter." He seemed to think Christianity was a parttime proposition.

Even if we don't deliberately relegate our faith to just 2 days each year, many of us engage in a form of parttime Christianity. We do that when we pick the time and place to practice our faith instead of being consistent every moment of every day.

When we choose to sin or neglect our relationship with Christ or let the world squeeze us into its mold, we become parttime Christians. Jesus told us to take up our cross daily and follow Him (Lk. 9:23). He didn't suffer an unbearably cruel death on the cross so that we could pick and choose when we want to follow Him.

Why do we sometimes turn our back on our Savior and in effect tell Him to step out while we take over? Usually it's because we disobey a clear biblical teaching. For example, if we neglect to "pray without ceasing" (1 Th. 5:17), we become self-sufficient. If we stop doing everything "heartily, as to the Lord" (Col. 3:23), we start living for ourselves.

Following Jesus is a fulltime commitment. Don't fall into the trap of thinking you can be a parttime Christian.  — Dave Branon