This Is Christianity

Mark Twain is quoted as saying; "If Christ were here now there is one thing he would not be - a Christian." The sad truth is the way many people who claim to be Christians today live their lives, Mr. Twain would be correct. A Christian by definition is a person who believes in and strives to live as Jesus Christ would live. Christianity is not an organized religion, it is not a certain denomination, it is a way of life.

Recently in the news, I've seen way too many news stories of child abuse, cruelty to children, and other disgusting actions. These acts are terrible in themselves, but what also really frustrates me is when the story goes on to state that the person committing the acts claims to be a Christian, or is a member of some church that lists Christianity as its foundation. Some of these people use Christianity as an excuse for their actions. Equally exasperating is when someone commits murder or other crimes, and then says something like; "God told me to do it!"

I see a major dilemma in America and the world, of people claiming to be of the Christian faith, but not acting in a manner that backs up their claims. People such as these ruin and destroy the name of God, and devastate the impression that the world has of true Christianity.

The problem is there are many people who know about God from what they've heard at church, things their parents have told them, and programs they've seen on television. However, just knowing about God doesn't change lives. In order for someone to truly be a Christian, they must have a personal relationship with God.

Let me illustrate it this way. I have letters from President Bush. I even have several Christmas cards from the White House. I've read the President's story, and watched him as he's led our country. So, I know a lot about him. However, if I were to call up the White House, and say; "This is Joshua, patch me through to the Oval Office." I wouldn't get to talk to President Bush, because he doesn't have a clue who I am. I know about him, but I don't personally know him.

The same is true in regards to a lot of people's "Christianity". They know a great deal about God, about the Bible, and about certain rituals and traditions of their certain denominations, but they have no personal relationship with God. And that isn't just referring to people who commit crimes and then claim to be "Christians". There are even pastors, church leaders, and others who claim the name of Jesus Christ, but whose life hasn't been changed.

The Bible even mentions these kinds of people:

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you..." (Matthew 7:21-23)

Notice He says; "I never knew you", which indicates there was never a personal relationship. So, just because someone "claims" to be a Christian, and even preaches or promotes the Christian faith, that doesn't necessarily mean they are a Christian. There are some people who only are in it for the money or the fame, and then there are those who only think of Christianity as a "fire escape" from hell. There are also people who twist the Bible around to form their own version of Christianity. You can tell a genuine Christian by the way they live, and I'll get more into that in a moment.

First of all, let me define what a real Christian is.

Attending church at a certain denomination, being kind to your neighbor, or living a good life doesn't make anyone a Christian. The Bible is very clear when it comes to the Christian faith.

Being a member of or attending a Baptist church, a Catholic church, a Presbyterian church, a Methodist church, (and I could list all of the hundreds of denominations who claim to preach the Christian faith) doesn't make one a Christian. When you die and stand before God, He's not going to ask you what denomination you were a member of.

Let me clarify here that attendance at a local church is good, and should be part of our lives, but my point is that church attendance doesn't make you a Christian.

In the same light, being a good person and helping others doesn't make you a Christian. Now, those are some of the actions that a genuine Christian will participate in, but those acts alone don't make you a Christian.

The Bible tells us exactly what makes a person a Christian:

"That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9-10)

Notice that there are two distinctions here. 1. confession with the mouth (a head knowledge) and 2. believing in the heart (a personal relationship).

One way of illustrating this is: Suppose we meet a person and they become an acquaintance of ours. When we see them we recognize them simply because in our head we know who they are. Then we meet a person that we become friends with, we know them by recognition, but also because they are a friend. So when we see them, there is that visual recognition, but there is also that heart recognition, we have special feelings towards them because we know them personally. The same is true of the Christian. We must know about God, but we must also know Him in a personal way. Of course, in order to personally know Him, one must realize their own need of knowing Him, and their inability to change their life themselves.

Many people say that they don't need God, but yet they never find true joy in their lives. When a person repents of their sin and selfishness and chooses to begin that new and personal relationship with God, they will experience happiness and their life will be different.

The Bible tells us that anyone who is truly a Christian will have a new life; they will live differently than others.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Now, here is where a lot of people miss the mark. They claim that being a Christian means that they act weird in some way, make fools of themselves, etc. However, when the Bible says that a Christian is to be different, it is referring to the way in which a person lives their life, such as being kind to others (even those who are not kind to you), honoring and respecting your parents and those in authority, seeking to help those in need, not ruining your body by things such as smoking and other things hazardous to one's health. In other words....living a "clean" life.

A true Christian is to follow the commands of the Bible, paying close attention not to twist verses out of context or claim things mean what they really don't. One must interpret scripture in light of all other scripture. And one must learn to live for others.

In the Gospel of John, we find the following story:

"So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them." (John 13:12 - 17)

Back in the time period in which this story took place, people wore open sandals, and the roads were just dirt and dust. So, when people would come into a house, they would remove their sandals, and the servant or lowliest person in the household would wash their feet.

Here Jesus Christ took it upon Himself to do this task. Here was the Son of God washing feet, one of the lowest jobs of the day. He did it to leave us an example of how we are to live our lives as Christians. We are to put others first, we are to be kind and helpful. People should notice something different about us.

There are a lot of people in today's world who wouldn't dare stoop to such a task, but yet they claim to be Christians. They look down there nose at other people, they fly off the handle at the slightest irritation, they scream and holler at their family, and then they claim the name of Jesus. That is NOT a Christian attitude, or how a Christian should live.

I should point out here that even Christians aren't perfect. Anyone who claims to be perfect is wrong. There will be times in even the best Christian's life where he/she makes wrong choices, and does things they're not supposed to. The true Christian will however shortly realize the error of their ways and make steps to correct them.

Now there are some religious groups who try to force their doctrine upon others, and who claim anyone who does not follow their beliefs as their enemy. That is not the proper attitude of a Christian. While I firmly believe in God and know my personal relationship with Jesus Christ has made a difference in my life, I am not foolish enough to think that everyone is going to agree with me. What you choose to believe is your choice to make. However, I will tell you from experience that a genuine relationship with Christ can bring peace to your life and give you the joy and happiness many are seeking for.

The next time someone claims to be a Christian, watch their life. You can always tell a TRUE Christian by the way they live. And if you're going to claim the name of Jesus Christ, make sure your life backs up your claim.

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The Outstanding Christian

All people have at least some desire to 'stand out' from among the crowd. They want to be seen as smarter, prettier, more handsome, wealthier, more intelligent, more gifted, more talented, and generally just better than average.

I have news for Christians. ALL Christians are outstanding. Some just stand out in different ways than others. I want to mention 3 types of 'Outstanding Christians.'

Number one are the Christian who stand out because of their obnoxious, overbearing, bossy, demanding, 'holier than thou' attitude. They are quick to call other Christians names like lazy, ignorant, backslidden, and even claim to know others are headed for hell because they attend the wrong Christian church, or haven't been 'baptized correctly', or they are engaging in sinful activities such attending movies or wearing makeup. These Christians are worse than legalists. They follow to the letter the things that can be seen on the outside. They add their own brand of morality to the rules God has set. I have personally known women who will not wear makeup or cut their hair, yet they make gossip and dissension their daily business. I have known men who demand utter submission from their wives and children, yet they themselves have not submitted anything of their own life to the God who created them. There are Christians who live in the pride of what they have accomplished and do not give God the glory. They are quick to condemn other Christians in need, or who are facing illness or trouble as 'out of the will of God'. They are without humility. They see the small sin in their brother's life, but ignore giant sins in their own lives. They are proud, without thankfulness, without forgiveness for others, without humility, and without repentance because they cannot see their own sins. They would not help a brother or sister in need if their lives depended upon it, because they see God as punishing those in trouble. In fact, they condemn those in need as though they themselves were without sin or need. They are hypocrites.

My son Jay defines a hypocrite like this; 'A hypocrite is someone who - seeing an illness or trial in YOUR life says, 'well - there is sin in you life and God is punishing you.' BUT, when they face the SAME illness or trial themselves they say, 'The devil is persecuting me. That proves I am doing the will of God.'

Believe me, these Christians are really outstanding. They stand out in any crowd. They make God sick. They make fellow Christians sick, and they make the whole non-Christian population despise God's gift of salvation.

Number two are the worldly Christians. They are so much like the unsaved that they blend in completely until someone finds out they are Christians. Then the people of the world say, 'What is the point of Christianity? It requires nothing. It is no different than anything else.' In a world constantly seeking satisfaction through something 'new' and 'different' worldly Christianity has no appeal. The worldly Christian is a beacon leading nowhere. They are lukewarm at very best. They make God vomit.

Number three are the Christians who show their heart felt commitment to God in how they live their personal lives. They apply Bible teachings to personal actions. God can use such people to turn the tide of battles, both great and small.

I just watched 'The Patriot' again. Toward the end, the armies of the Colonies are beginning to retreat. The hero, seeing defeat as unacceptable, raises up the flag of the United States, and runs against the tide of the retreating army shouting 'HOLD THE LINE'. The soldiers stop to watch him run in what appears to be the wrong way. Then some turn and began to follow him. Then the entire army turns around, charges up the hill, and wins a decisive victory.

My Christian brothers and sisters, today is such a day for Christianity. Christians are running in retreat instead of charging to victory. The armies of darkness are crushing the freedom to worship our God and our King throughout the world. 'Outstanding Christian' types one and two are aiding and abetting the enemy! America, the beautiful, bastion of freedom, is gasping for breath. Yet there is hope. Out God is a God of victory, not of defeat. He is willing to help those who are willing to change their lives to suit God. Will you be such a Christian? Will you be a light that leads the lost to God? Just by claiming the name of 'Christian' you have become an 'Outstanding Christian'. The question is , 'Which type of Christian will you be?'

Will you be:
 

a Christian that stands out as obnoxious? (type one)
a Christian that stands out as nothing special? (type two)
a Christian who charges up the hill to victory? (type three)

Whether you make a choice or not, you will fall into one of those categories.

To be a 'Type 3 Outstanding Christian' begins when a Christian becomes willing to change what is bothering God in his or her own life. Just do a quick self check and see if you find pride, lack of thankfulness to God and forgiveness to others, gossip in the place of help, lies in the place of truth, lack of honor where honor is due, wicked thoughts in place of Godly thoughts, or lack of reverence and awe for the God who created you.

The Type 3 Outstanding Christian wants to please God more than they want anything else. Hebrews 13:16 says, 'but to do good and communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

In the movie 'The Patriot', the hero charging up the hill wasn't really looking to see who followed him. He was looking forward to victory. That is what every Type Three Christian needs to do. Christians need to fix their eyes on Victory in Christ Jesus our Lord. They look beyond the day and even the years. Type Three Christians understand they are not playing a 'numbers' game.

Let Christians be like the Psalmist in Psalm 57:6-7 who says, 'They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah (7) My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.

Type Three Christians must remember that those who seek our destruction will dig a well for their own destruction. You just need to fix your heart on God. Sing and praise God louder than the doubt that troubles your mind.

Isaiah 50:7 says, 'For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

Isaiah 49:23b says, 'for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.'

Actually, in the movie the hero who charged up the hill was not really going at a fast pace. He was exhausted. He had short legs and probably couldn't run fast even when he wasn't 'plum tuckered out'. ('plum tuckered out' is mountain folk talk meaning really really tired.) The point is, he went forward against the tide in spite of physical exhaustion and without visible hope of victory or making a difference. The hero gave his all to getting up the hill to victory. That is the job of Christians today. Ignore what you see; fix your gaze on Calvary's Lamb; go forward to victory.

Remember - It takes a Type Three Christian to follow Jesus. If you are following Jesus - you are always going in the right direction!

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Rewards of the Christian Life

The Christian life is portrayed as a race by the writer of Hebrews. "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1,2. Many Bible Scholars feel that the Apostle Paul was probably the writer of Hebrews because verses like these are closely related to many of his other writings. In other cases, Paul compares himself with the racers and competitors in the Isthmian games which were celebrated in the city of Corinth. This comparison made an allusion which was well known to the people of Paul's day and therefore was a great teaching metaphor.

The competitors who ran in these games were duly qualified both by character and ability. The distance and width of the course were clearly marked out. The prize that was to be won was set forth. Judges were chosen and sworn to judge impartially. The starting signal was given and the race was run. The winner was carried to the judge, the prize was given and a crown placed on the winner's head. The name of the winner was proclaimed to the great assembly of people.

The Christian race is so compared. The Christian must be qualified both by character and ability. The Christian must pursue the course with patience and perseverance. After completing the race the successful Christian is brought before the Judge where he/she is rewarded and crowned with glory.

The Christian race is not any race, but a particular race. It is, "The race set before us". The course of the race is the road of life. The length of it is a lifetime. The width of it is the size of the world. This course has many challenges and many temptations to turn the runner aside. The riches and cares, the company and amusements, the pleasures and influence of the world are all dead weights which must be "laid aside" so they don't hinder the Christian runner.

The progress of the Christian in this race depends on several things. The Christian must keep to the course and not turn out of the way. Some run the race well for a while and then turn aside. The Christian must stay on course. The middle of the course is the safest place to run. Constant progress must be made and the runner must continue patiently under all difficulties. The prize must be kept in view.

The nature of the prize in the Christian race is different from worldly races. Scripture represents this prize as rewards under the figure of a trophy or crown. There are various crowns that may be rewarded to Christians when they complete this race of life.

 The Incorruptible Crown - I Corinthians 9:24-25. "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishible crown. " In the Christian's duty, all run that they might obtain this crown. All that finish get the prize, not just the winner. The Christian runner is described as being "temperate in all things". Much self-denial was practiced by the Olympic runners Paul mentioned. They kept to a strict diet and discipline. Should not the Christian much more curtail themselves of their liberty for the glorious prize set before them? Christians must deny self and keep the body under "bringing it into subjection", (I Corinthians 9:27). The Christian runner faces hardship and is always in close combat just as any competitor. Paul mentions one enemy of the Christian runner (the body) which must be brought under subjection. Paul is referring to those fleshly appetites and inclinations.

The Crown of Life - James 1:12, "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the "crown of life" which the Lord has promised to those who love Him". This reward is given to the Christian who endures and who with patience and constancy goes through all trials and difficulties in the way of his duty. It seems that in the duties of Christians they sometimes run across difficulties and disappointments so much that they begin to lose interest and hope of their duty. They may even wonder if it is worth it all to continue the race. The enduring of temptations and trials must be from a principle of love to God and Jesus Christ, otherwise there is no interest in the Crown. This reward should enforce the idea that Christians will eventually be approved by God for all their trails. It will be the Christian's blessedness to finally receive the Crown of Life.

The Crown of Glory - I Peter 5:1-4, "The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the Crown of Glory that does not fade away". This reward is specifically given to pastors, elders, presbyters, spiritual leaders of the Church. It is promised to those who "feed the flock" by preaching and teaching God's Word. It is for Christians who "take oversight thereof"; who take time to minister personal care over the flock committed to their charge. It is for Christians who are "examples to the flock"; those who practice holiness, self-denial, and all other Christian duties. It is for those who share in Christ's sufferings. Jesus Christ is the Chief Shepherd of the flock. He bought them, rules them, defends them, and saves them. Jesus is also Chief Shepherd over all other shepherds who obtain their authority from Him, act in His name, and are accountable to Him. Jesus, the Chief Shepherd, shall appear to judge all ministers and under-shepherds, to call them to account, whether they have faithfully discharged their duty both publicly and privately according to His directions. To those that are found to have done their duty shall receive what is infinitely better than temporal gain. They shall receive from the Chief Shepherd a high degree of everlasting glory - A Crown of Glory that will never fade away.

The Crown of Rejoicing - I Thessalonians 2:19,20. "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy". This Crown of Rejoicing is won through soul-winning. Christians must take time in their race to listen to the Holy Spirit and share with others what they have in Jesus. What a glory and honor it is go be used of the Holy Spirit to lead others into a saving knowledge of the Son of God.

The Crown of Righteousness - 2 Timothy 4:7,8. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing". This crown will be the recompense of all the services Christians have offered, which God is not unrighteous to forget. This crown will be given "at that day", at the time when the Christian's holiness and righteousness will be perfected. It is the day Christ returns. It will be given by the righteous Judge and not only to apostles and prominent ministers, but to all those that love His appearing. It should be the character of all Christians to look forward to the appearing of Jesus Christ with love and to long for it. This Crown is laid up for all believers. It is given to those who have finished their course by fighting a good fight. In a good fight one may lose a few rounds, but is is how hard one fights that makes a good fight. It is given to those who have kept the faith. It is given to Christians who never allowed their faith to falter, but have always looked to their faith for their final victory.

Christ will come again to judge the works of believers and to give these rewards that they are entitled. The Christian will be judged as to the use of his talents and opportunities that have been given to him. The Christian will be judged on how he has used these talents while running the Christian race.

Paul says that while Christians are saved by grace, they are saved unto good works, Ephesians 2:8-10. In other words, the Lord has given His people an opportunity to lay up treasures in heaven now. This should help Christians overcome discouragements.

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