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Am I, at the very least, observing the qualities of an “almost” Christian?
“Dear God, please forgive me for not studying until tonight. I know it is midnight, and my exam is at 8 a.m. I also realize that I have no good excuses for not opening my book until now. But at least I’m studying now. So, help me remember all these equations tomorrow. Amen.”
Whether your prayer was about work, school, or another part of life, many of us have prayed this type of prayer before. I call it the “79.5 Prayer.” It is the prayer one prays when one just wants to scrape by with the lowest possible performance that still achieves a “B” grade. After all, the textbook was bought, some studying (albeit last minute) was accomplished, and a little effort was made; therefore, God (or the teacher) should pour out abundant grace and just give us the B. Give us the lowest grade that gets us some respectability. A 79.5 percent rounds up to an 80, which gets us our B.
Minimum effort exerted, maximum grace expected.
And since we know that our God is a God of abundant grace, some of us Christians have adopted this mind-set as we journey together in faith. We try to figure out the least we have to do to be considered a Christian. We wonder if we have to participate in corporate worship when the weather is bad outside, or will God understand if we skip because we attended last Sunday? Should I give sacrificially to help those who are in need, or can I just give a little, so that I have enough for my own desires? Must I share my gift of teaching with the children in my church every Sunday, or can’t I just help with vacation Bible school for one week instead? Maybe we make up for it by cramming during Advent and Christmas—giving a bit extra, serving a bit more, attending worship more consistently and even one extra time on Christmas Eve.
A lot of Christians are content with a 79.5 kind of discipleship. This 79.5 discipleship is content with following the letter of God’s law without the joy of the fullness of God’s Spirit. This 79.5 discipleship has forgotten the joy of a relationship with God and God’s people. This 79.5 discipleship rationalizes behaviors with phrases like the following:
Well, at least I don’t sin like . . .
Those others never lift a finger; I do more than . . .
I remember when I used to help with . . .
Those new people have more energy, I’ll let them sign up for . . .
I know they say that there is a need, but I already gave to help with the . . .
But remember that time that I . . .
Why do we Christians strive for a 79.5 in our Christian walks? Why is Christmas often used as a time to cram instead of celebrate Christ’s coming with the fullness of joy and longing?
Perhaps we are just tired of worshiping and glorifying God, forgetting that God is deserving of our very best? Maybe we have become detached from God in our spiritual lives, allowing other habits to pull us away from prayer, study, service, and other means of God’s grace.
Whatever the reasoning for our condition, it behooves all of us as flawed, fallen Christians to examine our hearts for the contagious symptoms of complacency and contentment. Wesley’s question reminds us that the outward, “almost Christian” life is necessary but not sufficient. If we strive for 79.5 discipleship, we won’t even get that far.
Instead, we can strive for wholehearted faith and love of God, with joy that we get to be a part of God’s kingdom-building work! After all, we all believe the words Jesus tells his followers in John 10:10, “I came so that they could have life—indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest.”
That fullness of life is a gift of grace to us now. It demands that we give all of ourselves in joyful surrender to our God. May we see God not as a 79.5 percent burden, but as a 100 percent joy.
Rev. Robin C. Wilson