| Mark Twain is quoted as saying; "If Christ were here | | | | One way of illustrating this is: Suppose we meet a |
| now there is one thing he would not be - a Christian." | | | | person and they become an acquaintance of ours. |
| The sad truth is the way many people who claim to | | | | When we see them we recognize them simply |
| be Christians today live their lives, Mr. Twain would be | | | | because in our head we know who they are. Then |
| correct. A Christian by definition is a person who | | | | we meet a person that we become friends with, we |
| believes in and strives to live as Jesus Christ would | | | | know them by recognition, but also because they are |
| live. Christianity is not an organized religion, it is not a | | | | a friend. So when we see them, there is that visual |
| certain denomination, it is a way of life. | | | | recognition, but there is also that heart recognition, |
| Recently in the news, I've seen way too many news | | | | we have special feelings towards them because we |
| stories of child abuse, cruelty to children, and other | | | | know them personally. The same is true of the |
| disgusting actions. These acts are terrible in | | | | Christian. We must know about God, but we must |
| themselves, but what also really frustrates me is | | | | also know Him in a personal way. Of course, in order |
| when the story goes on to state that the person | | | | to personally know Him, one must realize their own |
| committing the acts claims to be a Christian, or is a | | | | need of knowing Him, and their inability to change |
| member of some church that lists Christianity as its | | | | their life themselves. |
| foundation. Some of these people use Christianity as | | | | Many people say that they don't need God, but yet |
| an excuse for their actions. Equally exasperating is | | | | they never find true joy in their lives. When a person |
| when someone commits murder or other crimes, and | | | | repents of their sin and selfishness and chooses to |
| then says something like; "God told me to do it!" | | | | begin that new and personal relationship with God, |
| I see a major dilemma in America and the world, of | | | | they will experience happiness and their life will be |
| people claiming to be of the Christian faith, but not | | | | different. |
| acting in a manner that backs up their claims. People | | | | The Bible tells us that anyone who is truly a Christian |
| such as these ruin and destroy the name of God, | | | | will have a new life; they will live differently than |
| and devastate the impression that the world has of | | | | others. |
| true Christianity. | | | | "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new |
| The problem is there are many people who know | | | | creation; old things have passed away; behold, all |
| about God from what they've heard at church, things | | | | things have become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17) |
| their parents have told them, and programs they've | | | | Now, here is where a lot of people miss the mark. |
| seen on television. However, just knowing about God | | | | They claim that being a Christian means that they act |
| doesn't change lives. In order for someone to truly | | | | weird in some way, make fools of themselves, etc. |
| be a Christian, they must have a personal relationship | | | | However, when the Bible says that a Christian is to |
| with God. | | | | be different, it is referring to the way in which a |
| Let me illustrate it this way. I have letters from | | | | person lives their life, such as being kind to others |
| President Bush. I even have several Christmas cards | | | | (even those who are not kind to you), honoring and |
| from the White House. I've read the President's | | | | respecting your parents and those in authority, |
| story, and watched him as he's led our country. So, I | | | | seeking to help those in need, not ruining your body |
| know a lot about him. However, if I were to call up | | | | by things such as smoking and other things |
| the White House, and say; "This is Joshua, patch me | | | | hazardous to one's health. In other words....living a |
| through to the Oval Office." I wouldn't get to talk to | | | | "clean" life. |
| President Bush, because he doesn't have a clue who | | | | A true Christian is to follow the commands of the |
| I am. I know about him, but I don't personally know | | | | Bible, paying close attention not to twist verses out |
| him. | | | | of context or claim things mean what they really |
| The same is true in regards to a lot of people's | | | | don't. One must interpret scripture in light of all other |
| "Christianity". They know a great deal about God, | | | | scripture. And one must learn to live for others. |
| about the Bible, and about certain rituals and | | | | In the Gospel of John, we find the following story: |
| traditions of their certain denominations, but they | | | | "So when He had washed their feet, taken His |
| have no personal relationship with God. And that isn't | | | | garments, and sat down again, He said to them, "Do |
| just referring to people who commit crimes and then | | | | you know what I have done to you? You call me |
| claim to be "Christians". There are even pastors, | | | | Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I |
| church leaders, and others who claim the name of | | | | then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your |
| Jesus Christ, but whose life hasn't been changed. | | | | feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For |
| The Bible even mentions these kinds of people: | | | | I have given you an example, that you should do as |
| "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall | | | | I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a |
| enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the | | | | servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who |
| will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in | | | | is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know |
| that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in | | | | these things, blessed are you if you do them." (John |
| Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and | | | | 13:12 - 17) |
| done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will | | | | Back in the time period in which this story took place, |
| declare to them, 'I never knew you..." (Matthew | | | | people wore open sandals, and the roads were just |
| 7:21-23) | | | | dirt and dust. So, when people would come into a |
| Notice He says; "I never knew you", which indicates | | | | house, they would remove their sandals, and the |
| there was never a personal relationship. So, just | | | | servant or lowliest person in the household would |
| because someone "claims" to be a Christian, and | | | | wash their feet. |
| even preaches or promotes the Christian faith, that | | | | Here Jesus Christ took it upon Himself to do this |
| doesn't necessarily mean they are a Christian. There | | | | task. Here was the Son of God washing feet, one of |
| are some people who only are in it for the money or | | | | the lowest jobs of the day. He did it to leave us an |
| the fame, and then there are those who only think | | | | example of how we are to live our lives as Christians. |
| of Christianity as a "fire escape" from hell. There are | | | | We are to put others first, we are to be kind and |
| also people who twist the Bible around to form their | | | | helpful. People should notice something different |
| own version of Christianity. You can tell a genuine | | | | about us. |
| Christian by the way they live, and I'll get more into | | | | There are a lot of people in today's world who |
| that in a moment. | | | | wouldn't dare stoop to such a task, but yet they |
| First of all, let me define what a real Christian is. | | | | claim to be Christians. They look down there nose at |
| Attending church at a certain denomination, being kind | | | | other people, they fly off the handle at the slightest |
| to your neighbor, or living a good life doesn't make | | | | irritation, they scream and holler at their family, and |
| anyone a Christian. The Bible is very clear when it | | | | then they claim the name of Jesus. That is NOT a |
| comes to the Christian faith. | | | | Christian attitude, or how a Christian should live. |
| Being a member of or attending a Baptist church, a | | | | I should point out here that even Christians aren't |
| Catholic church, a Presbyterian church, a Methodist | | | | perfect. Anyone who claims to be perfect is wrong. |
| church, (and I could list all of the hundreds of | | | | There will be times in even the best Christian's life |
| denominations who claim to preach the Christian | | | | where he/she makes wrong choices, and does things |
| faith) doesn't make one a Christian. When you die | | | | they're not supposed to. The true Christian will |
| and stand before God, He's not going to ask you | | | | however shortly realize the error of their ways and |
| what denomination you were a member of. | | | | make steps to correct them. |
| Let me clarify here that attendance at a local church | | | | Now there are some religious groups who try to |
| is good, and should be part of our lives, but my point | | | | force their doctrine upon others, and who claim |
| is that church attendance doesn't make you a | | | | anyone who does not follow their beliefs as their |
| Christian. | | | | enemy. That is not the proper attitude of a Christian. |
| In the same light, being a good person and helping | | | | While I firmly believe in God and know my personal |
| others doesn't make you a Christian. Now, those are | | | | relationship with Jesus Christ has made a difference in |
| some of the actions that a genuine Christian will | | | | my life, I am not foolish enough to think that |
| participate in, but those acts alone don't make you a | | | | everyone is going to agree with me. What you |
| Christian. | | | | choose to believe is your choice to make. However, I |
| The Bible tells us exactly what makes a person a | | | | will tell you from experience that a genuine |
| Christian: | | | | relationship with Christ can bring peace to your life |
| "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus | | | | and give you the joy and happiness many are |
| and believe in your heart that God has raised Him | | | | seeking for. |
| from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart | | | | The next time someone claims to be a Christian, |
| one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth | | | | watch their life. You can always tell a TRUE Christian |
| confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9-10) | | | | by the way they live. And if you're going to claim the |
| Notice that there are two distinctions here. 1. | | | | name of Jesus Christ, make sure your life backs up |
| confession with the mouth (a head knowledge) and | | | | your claim. |
| 2. believing in the heart (a personal relationship). | | | | |