If You Really Believe Luke, You Just Can't Be a Pessimist in 2019

If you had a few days left to live, what would you tell those around you?

You'd probably ensure that your loved ones know they are loved. You might reminisce with them about the past. You might even try to bury the hatchet with some contentious people from your past.

Photo by Bruce Mars

But in addition to nostalgia and forgiveness, I can bet there would be a good deal of practicality wrapped up in your last few days. Things like where you store the password for the retirement account. How to start up the lawn mower when it makes that pathetic sound. When to pay the water bill.

If anyone at all depends on you, you would prepare them for your absence. You would attempt to share all of the knowledge in your head so that your loved ones could carry on when you died.

This is exactly what Jesus did on his last trip to Jerusalem. He knew the end was near for him. In Luke 18 he even predicted his death for (at least) the third time. He said:

How to Be a Terrible Christian in 9 Easy Steps

So you want to be a horrible Christian? You've come to the right place!

Photo by Kyknoord (CC)

Here's how:

4 Ways to Be Positive (Even If You're Surrounded by Whiners)

You want to be a positive person. You really do.

But every time you try to think positively, someone grabs you and pulls you back down to earth. Maybe it's a snarky comment, a pessimistic outlook on your situation, or just plain whining. Whatever it is these people keep dragging you down.

And it's not like you can just cut them out of your life. These people are your family. They are your co-workers. Or worse: they are your (gasp) fellow Christians.

Maybe it's just time to join the whiners and pessimists. It would be easier that way. Besides, they seem to lead happy lives, right?

Are You Taking The Lord's Name In Vain Without Even Knowing It?

"I'm just a realist."

Have you ever heard that phrase before? You may have said it yourself a time or two.

Jeffrey (CC)

Pessimists drag it out like it's a pet. They hold it up to their cheek, close their eyes, and comfort themselves with it.

Then they go on being sourpusses and killjoys.


What's Wrong With Pessimism?

There's nothing wrong with pessimism if you're an atheist.
There's nothing wrong with pessimism if you're a naturalist, a post-modernist, an existentialist.

But if you claim Christ, don't tell me you're just a realist.

Because if you believe in Jesus, here's the reality: