Hopefully, you already know that I consider you as my “little sis.” (That’s why I often refer to our readers as SUSIE sisses.) And as sisses, we can talk about anything, right? I mean, we can say the tough stuff to each other, accept the hard-to-hear things and be honest.

So I’m going to step on your toes, OK? I’ll try to be gentle, but what I’m going to say may hurt.

Girls, my heart breaks over how some of you are settling for casual Christianity . . . and some of you have even talked yourselves into believing you have a relationship with Christ when you really don’t. So we decided to saturate this August issue with specific articles to draw you closer to Christ. Think of it as our “spiritual formation” issue. Sure, we have spiritual stuff in every month’s issue, but this month we deliberately poured it on thick throughout the entire magazine.

What IS a Christian?
Some of you think you’re a Christian because of how you felt during a retreat, camp or missions trip. Hey, wait a sec! you may be thinking. Where’d you come up with that?

From you.
I’ve spoken with many of you.
And I read your e-mails.
I get your letters.

You can talk yourself into believing you have a relationship with Christ just like you can talk yourself into believing you have a million dollars. But if it’s not there, it’s not there.

(I need to interrupt myself here. This isn’t meant to plant doubts in your mind about Christ; it’s to wake you up if you’re really not a Christian.) So how can you be sure you’re a Christian?


Or are you simply going to church and living a fairly good life? There’s a big difference! When you experience intimacy with the King of Kings, you’ll never be the same again.

Go Deep!
Knowing this, why would you want to settle for anything less? Why be content simply knowing about God when you can actually know Him? More than just wanting you close to Him, He wants you to become part of Him—to experience deep intimacy with your Creator.

Part of this growth process means talking with Christ on a regular basis, reading and studying the Bible and actually believing the Bible is Truth. When I answer questions in our monthly “Dear Susie” column, I strive to base them on principles found in Scripture. And though the Bible is extremely clear on abstaining from sexual intimacy outside of marriage, homosexual activity, gossip, cursing and even how to enter heaven, sometimes when I relate what God has to say about these topics, I receive a few angry letters and e-mails disagreeing with what God has said.

Wake up, Sisses!

God isn’t going to change His ways to accommodate your lifestyle. Sin is sin. God’s not budging on that. So even though many of your friends don’t have a relationship with Christ yet are good people and fun to be with, they won’t be spending eternity in heaven! There’s no way around this.

The Bible isn’t evolving.

God isn’t pliable like Play-Doh to fit whatever you hope is true. The Bible tells us that He doesn’t shift like a shadow (James 1:17). In other words, He’s not changing. Christ is rock-solid. He’s the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
So What IS Truth?

There are some basic issues that we simply need to nail down with God so we don’t have to keep going over them again and again.

Is Jesus really who He claimed to be?
Yes! He truly is the Son of God. The Messiah. The only One who can forgive your sins and grant you eternal life with Him.

Is sexual intimacy outside of marriage really wrong?
Yes! It really is. And that includes sleeping together (even if you’re not having sex), heavy petting, showering together, anything that leads to sexual intimacy between the two of you. These are privileges for marriage and marriage only.

Is the Bible really true?
Yes! It really is. It was divinely inspired by God. It’s not simply a collection of people talking about God; it’s God revealed on paper. By reading and studying it, we grow closer to God Himself and understand how to have a genuine relationship with Him.

Is homosexuality really a sin?
It’s not a sin to be tempted in the area of homosexuality (or any other area of life). It is a sin to become involved in homosexual activity, but it’s a sin that can be forgiven! God didn’t create homosexuality, and it breaks His heart when people deviate from the perfect plan He did create.

Are Christians really the only people going to heaven?
Yes! They really are. Anyone who doesn’t have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ will be eternally separated from Him. (And I’m not talking about infants or the mentally handicapped or a starving 5-year-old in Ethiopia.) The Bible tells us that we all reach an age of accountability or understanding. Only God can judge what that age is and each person’s personal accountability.

But there’s absolutely no truth in this rumor:
“There are several paths to God. Muslims are one path; Hindus another, etc. And we’ll all end up in heaven together.”

How can you argue with, “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6)?

These aren’t Susie Shellenberger’s words; they’re the words of Christ. I’m merely repeating what He has already made clear in the Bible. What’s not to believe?

Settle it Now
Girls, once you’ve nailed down some of these basic truths, you won’t have to keep coming back to the same ground again. You’ll be able to move on—to actually GROW spiritually!

Don’t settle for casual Christianity; get intimate with Christ.

Don’t talk yourself into thinking you’re a Christian; go ahead and accept Christ as your Savior and live in obedience to Him.

Don’t keep wondering if God’s Word is true; accept it, digest it and draw nourishment from it.

Yeah, But . . .
Yeah, but Susie, this is making me mad! You’re making me doubt that I’m a Christian.

Again, if you’ve repented of your sins, accepted Christ’s forgiveness, have placed your faith in Him and are striving to obey Him, you’re saved! So enjoy your personal relationship with Him. See, that’s the exciting part about being a Christian . . . you can actually have a genuine relationship with the King of Kings!

This is way beyond Susie Shellenberger making you mad. This is between you and God. Do you realize, though, that He uses His Holy Spirit to convict us of sin? If you’re feeling something’s not right between you and God, don’t blame me. Talk with your heavenly Father!

Yeah, but I know how I felt when I was at church camp. And I know how I felt on a missions trip with my youth group. So what if I’ve never repented of my sins or whatever. I know I’m a Christian because of how I felt, and you can’t take that away from me.

A relationship with Christ doesn’t have anything to do with feelings; it’s all about a growing faith. If you’ve never asked Christ to forgive your sins . . . if you’ve never placed your faith in Him . . . you’re not a Christian. And that means you won’t spend eternity in heaven.

Bottom Line

There.
I’m done.

Thanks for letting me step on your toes. I’m glad we’re sisses and can be gut-level honest with each other. I want to see you in heaven. I really really really want to spend eternity with you and with Christ!

Wanna Pray?
If you’ve never repented of your sins but want to establish a relationship with Christ, you can do that right now! You can pray your own prayer, or you can use the prayer on page 21 as a guide.

When you decide to follow Christ, you’ll want to get involved in church and a youth group. Also talk with your pastor about being baptized. We love you, girls!