In the 1980s the Canadian Armed Forces ran recruiting ads that featured the slogan “There’s No Life Like It.”  Highlighting the unique experiences and camaraderie found in military life, they hoped to persuade young people to sign up for service. They promised, among other things, ADVENTURE, the chance for ADVANCEMENT, and ACCEPTANCE in a cause bigger than themselves.

Alongside the benefits of military life, there are negatives to work around, of course. Sometimes “adventure” becomes dangerous and life-threatening. “Advancement” is often at the whim of your commanding officers. If they like you, they may choose to advance you to a higher rank, but if they don’t like you, there are few ways for you to overcome that obstacle. Even the “acceptance” they offer recruits is subject to their behavior. If you make a serious mistake of judgment or let your unit down, you can face some pretty serious consequences. These include shaming, censorship, and dismissal or being court marshaled. “Acceptance” in the military is always tenuous and conditional.

I think this slogan applies better to the Christian life than to the military. When we follow Jesus, we receive all these benefits (including camaraderie with fellow believers) in full measure. They come with no limitations or conditions to be met on our part. As it says in Proverbs 10:22, “The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.” (NKJV) When Jesus promised His followers “abundant life” He wanted them to know their life with Him would be far better than anything the world has to offer.

Sure, the ADVENTURE we experience in following Jesus can turn dangerous, even deadly, at times. The Early Church experienced this kind of persecution. Even today, Christians in Nigeria and other parts of the world are being martyred for their faith in Jesus. As fellow believers, we should be praying for their safety and deliverance. Yet, as Hebrews 11:36-39 points out, some will not be delivered. This reality shouldn’t shake our faith. Through death Christians are translated into eternal life with Him, which “is far better” (Philippians 1:23).

Jesus knew we would face challenging times in our walk with Him. “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Trusting Him in the hard times is how we grow in grace and mature in our faith. The longer we serve in His kingdom, the better we understand the truth of what Paul wrote in Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Besides adventure, we find unlimited opportunity for ADVANCEMENT in our relationship with Jesus. Unlike in the world, we aren’t seeking to advance by gaining personal power or authority over others. Our advancement opportunities consist of learning how to be more like Jesus, who “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:28).

Unlike the military, our opportunities for advancement aren’t limited by the whims of men, for “God does not show favoritism” (Romans 2:11). He wants all His children to advance in His kingdom. Because the possibilities for becoming godlier are always just beyond our reach, we can never say, “I’ve arrived.” The poet Robert Browning famously wrote, “A man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s a heaven for?”

Finding ACCEPTANCE, a place where we belong and find significance in what we do is something we all long for, but we often get it backwards. It doesn’t come by seeing all our personal desires met. It’s when we forget about our wants and identify with something beyond ourselves that we find joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment. As Jesus told the Twelve, “He who loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39).

When we follow Jesus, we become part of something far larger and more important than our individual lives. We are “accepted [by God] in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6) and become members of His body, spiritually speaking. Those who have been accepted by God are disciplined for poor choices, but, unlike in the military, we’re never replaced by someone else. We’re assured a place in God’s family that is ours alone. In John 10:27-28 Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

Incredibly, members of Christ’s body are loved and supported by Him even when they totally blow their Christian testimony and misrepresent Him. There’s always a way back to restored fellowship with Him and His body by humbling ourselves, repenting, and acknowledging our sin. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Truly, there is no life like the Christian life! It’s not easy or comfortable. Often, it involves sacrifice, pain, discouragement, and temporary defeat. But along with the challenges we face, we enjoy privileges that cannot be found anywhere else. In Christ, we find purpose, meaning, and significance, as well as comfort, guidance, and strength beyond ourselves. In Him we have rest for our souls and peace of heart in all circumstances. We need not fear the future, for He has promised, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5) Let’s be thankful for the awesome life we have in Him!

Heavenly Father, thank you for all we enjoy in Christ Jesus. Help us to recognize the unique and special life that’s available for everyone who follows Him. I need to be reminded often of the privileges connected with knowing and serving you. As the psalmist said, “Surely, I have a delightful inheritance. I will keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken” (Psalm 16:6, 8). Thank you for your loving presence in my life! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.