Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Am I a Christian?

The answer to this question could change your life.

Both within and outside the Church, there is a confusion: What does it mean to be a Christian? Many non-Christians are turned away from the Church because of what they think it means to be or not be Christian. Many self-proclaimed "Christians" are using the label incorrectly, gleaning a false sense of security from it and wielding it in a manner that damages anyone within arm's length.

My Observations

I observe that regarding Christianity, there are basically six kinds of people, relative to Christianity, though sometimes these categories overlap a little. These terms are my own, used in an effort to clarify the positions:

Anti-Christians are those who have a correct or incorrect view of Christianity and who are hostile toward those who bear the label. There are most often non-Christians, but some so-called Christians become so cynical about the Church that they might fall into this extreme category.

Non-Christians may or may not be hostile to Christianity, and they may or may not have a correct understanding of Christianity. Some have consciously chosen not to follow the lifestyle of a Christian; others have not yet understood what it means to be a Christian.

Traditional "Christians" are those who were born into the Church or Christian culture, using the label as a part of their identity, but without bearing the fruit a Christian's life bears. Usually their religion could be described as "lifeless," or sometimes "legalistic." These are often found in Orthodox, Catholic, or more conservative Protestant denominations, though they can be a part of any fellowship group.

Apparent "Christians" are those who are easily mistaken as Christians, due to their zeal and fervor. Some of them demonstrate very spiritual behavior, including prayer and emotional worship; others boast long lists of good-deeds and generous sacrifices done in the name of Jesus. Thus, they appear to be bearing the fruit of a Christian life, but they lack the relationship with Jesus and will not be able to sustain such a lifestyle from their own strength for very long. Mistaken Christians might also fall into this category.

Mistaken "Christians" are those who call themselves Christian, but who have exchanged the truth of the Gospel for a lie. These could include Mormons (Church of Latter Day Saints), Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Scientists, Unitarian Universalists, and many others. On the surface, they often seem to share the same core beliefs with Christians, but in each case there is a fundamental truth that has been changed or discarded. Many of them are trapped in this false belief and have no understanding of the Truth they are missing.

True Christians are those whose lives clearly reflect the death and life of Christ Jesus. Their lives are not from their own strength (for their lives were crucified with Christ when He died to defeat sin and death out of His love for us), but through faith they have surrendered to the life of Jesus, of His Holy Spirit, living through them. This surrender causes a noticeable life-change, which could be called "repentance." They allow the Spirit to live freely in them, to the glory of the Father. They are in a real, personal relationship of love with Jesus, who drives away the fears they once had.

What is a Christian?

According to the Bible, what does it mean to be a Christian? We will see that the definition is inextricably wrapped up in the Person and Life of Christ Jesus, as well as in the idea of the Trinity.

Chapter 11 of the Book of Acts, verse 26, records that the disciples were first called "Christians" at Antioch. Study of this passage shows that these were a group of new believers of primarily non-Jewish background who studied and gathered together for a year. Because of their new lifestyle, they were called "Christians" or "little Christs," based on the observation that they lived like Christ Jesus, or that they imitated the life of Jesus.

The Book of Galatians is appropriately the next place to turn, for Paul is chastising the Galatian Christians for losing sight of the original Gospel, (literally "Good News"); thus, the entire book is a discussion of the true Gospel. Verse 20 of Chapter 2 spells it out using Paul, himself as the example: he reminds the Church that Christians have been "crucified with Christ," that it is no longer them who live, but Christ living in them. That life is described as being lived "through faith" in Jesus, who, we are reminded, lovingly gave Himself up for us, as was previously mentioned in Chapter 1, verse 4. This was according to the will of and for the glory of God the Father (verse 5). Chapter 3 continues the reasoning, explaining in verses 13 and 14 that Christ became cursed to break the curse of sin on us, and this allowed us to receive His Spirit. Chapter 4 reminds us that our holy Savior was born in human flesh in order to adopt us as children in God's family that God's Spirit might dwell in us (verses 4, 5, and 6). Such a life bears good fruit (Galatians 5:22).

Many other parts of Scripture reiterate this truth, this definition of a Christian, and of the Gospel that makes a person a Christian. See, for example (these are only a few of many):

On being a Christian: Matthew 16:24, Luke 6:40 and 14:26, John 14:10-20 and 15:12-19, James 1:17-27 and 2:17, and Revelation 2:2-5

On the Gospel: John 3:16-17, Acts 2:29-33, 38-39, Romans 1:2-6, Ephesians 1:3-14, Colossians 1:12-22, and 1 John 4:7-21.

In other words, a Christian is not someone who decides to live as a Christian. A Christian is one who decides to believe the Gospel and to surrender his (or her) life to the Lord, that Jesus might live in and through him (or her). Jesus came to reveal His Father and to glorify His Father. If Jesus is living in us, we do the same thing. Therefore, what is a Christian? A Christian:

1. Accepts and returns the love and grace of God as embodied by his (or her) personal Friend, Jesus.

2. Does not live anymore, but surrenders daily to let the Spirit of Jesus live freely in and through him (or her), to the glory of the Father.

3. Has a life that is proof of the truth of the Gospel and that bears spiritual fruit.

And what is the Gospel? The Good News (the Gospel) is that:

1. God loves us so much that He intervened when our sin separated us from Him!

2. He made a way by sending His Son Jesus to live as a perfect human who would pay the death penalty for our sins, allowing us to die to the bondage of sin.

3. The Father raised His Son and offered us new life with Him, putting His Spirit in us that we could be in eternal relationship with Him as His children, if only we will believe and surrender to His love.

So, are you a Christian?

Do you know Jesus as a Friend, or just know about Him as an idea?

Do you try hard to live as a Christian, or do you let the Spirit live in and through you?

Was there ever a noticeable change in your life (marking your total surrender), witnessed by you and by others?

Does your life reflect the unique life of Jesus, or does it look like everybody else's life?

Does your life bear fruit for the glory of God, or is religion just a rote, token part of your existence?

Are you afraid of many things, or does the love of God give you confidence and boldness?

Is this Truth the Gospel you know, or have you been following one that has been edited or simplified?

Do you think the world might look a lot different if everyone in the Church, everyone calling himself (or herself) "Christian," would surrender to a Jesus personally known and loved, letting His Spirit live freely in him (or her) to the Father's glory, bearing fruit in keeping with repentance?

Join me as once again I prayerfully ask myself, "Am I a Christian?"

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A Rose From Home

A Rose From Home

My Story (As prepared for my church congregation this spring--2009)


I have a story to tell you. I am the main character, but the story is not about me. I have traveled several parts of the world, but my adventure has been closer to home. I am twenty-six years old. My story begins like many of yours…

I grew up going to church. I had been born into a family who labeled themselves “Christian,” in a country that labels itself “Christian.” Every Sunday found me attending a worship service and Sunday school in a mainline denomination church. I served as an acolyte, attended Vacation Bible School, helped my dad count and record the offering money, sang in the youth choir, was a leader in the youth group, and occasionally served as liturgist. Baptized as an infant, I was confirmed at the age of twelve, thus becoming an “official” member of the church. Then, hurt by the church, my family left to find another.

Have you ever been hurt by the Church?

After months of searching, we settled into a very large independent church. Things were different there, and I was quickly welcomed and at home among new friends that truly had a passion for Jesus. The Word of God was taught boldly from the pulpit, and I was introduced to a missions-aware lifestyle. So it was with regret that I said goodbye only a couple of years later to move with my family to another church. I purposely remained aloof, not wanting to make new friendships before I left for college a year later. Besides, I was loosing my faith—or so I thought—and I didn’t want anyone to know. I was asking scary questions like “Is there really a God?” and, if so, “Is He the Christian God?” and “Would I be Christian if I had been born in another part of the world?”

Have you ever asked yourself unsettling questions about what you believe?

So I headed into college under a cloud of confusion that only worsened for the next two years. Though I didn’t know what I believed anymore, I continued to go to church every Sunday, and to help lead worship in chapel. Most importantly, even during this questioning, I continued my morning habit of daily study of the Bible. I had begun at age twelve, reading at first a chapter per day, then ten minutes each morning, then an half-hour, and so on. So, only by the grace of the very God I doubted, I remained anchored in His Word and in His community, though I felt like a fake most of the time. Since then I have learned that “fake” is the worst insult the world can give us; that is why the label of “hypocrite” is so offensive.

Have you ever felt like a fake?

Six weeks with missionaries in South Africa followed by a year in France began to teach me what life with God is all about. I began rebuilding my faith, this time it belonged to me, in contrast to me borrowing the faith of my parents, church, or anyone else. In my parent’s basement in 2003, on either Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve, I invited Jesus to live in me; perhaps I had done so before, but I didn’t recall—but since 2003, I have never forgotten that moment. Unfortunately, nothing changed. I continued to do my best to act like a Christian, as I had done for so long.

Have you ever found yourself “doing your best” to be a good person, or to act like a Christian?

Though I did not realize it at the time, I was quenching the Spirit, even though I had welcomed Him into my life. During the next few years, the LORD continued to nurture me, and slowly things began to change. Several tough months in Idaho birthed my prayer-life. I spent three years being humbled in a job that was my informal seminary training. In 2007, a short stint in Mexico helped me to see things as they were, and not long afterward, I was baptized by immersion. No baptism of any kind can save a lost soul—only Jesus can do that. However, this baptism was an important covenant between me and God, symbolizing not only my death and resurrection with Jesus and my public profession of faith, but it also my life change, the beginning of my bearing fruit. “For each tree is known by its own fruit…”according to Luke 6:44. During the past year and a half, the LORD has provided me with an informal pastoral internship in my church, teaching me every aspect of discipleship. Simultaneously, I have been studying unceasing prayer and worship. I am now very different than I was five years ago.

In the Book of Acts (which tells the story of the earliest years of the Church) every time a person decided to follow Christ, two things took place—though not always in the same order. Each person experienced a life change, which I call the “baptism of repentance,” as well as the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which I call the “baptism of the Spirit.” Looking back, I realize that the Holy Spirit was living in me in 2003, but it wasn’t until I surrendered everything to God, as represented by my immersion, that I allowed the Spirit to have His way in me and transform my life. “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now life in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (Galatians 2:20)”

Have you invited Jesus to live in you? Have you allowed the Spirit to transform your life?

I tell you this story for two reasons. First, I tell this story in order to boast in the LORD! May God our Father get all praise and glory forever! Second, I tell this story because it is relevant to you. Likely you have heard that I am leaving the country: I have let my light shine before you; please let your light shine within the Church, too! This congregation is in revival, and as each of you allows the Spirit to revive you, the entire Church will be revived and utterly transformed, to the glory of the Most High God. And for His glory is the reason He created us; the reason He sent His only Son to reveal Himself to us; the reason He became Sin for us and died for us on the cross—while we were still sinners; and the reason that He conquered death and offered us eternal life with Him.

It will cost you a lot—in fact, it will cost you everything, your very life. But if you have never surrendered your life to Christ Jesus, if you have never invited Him to send His Spirit into you and to transform your life, then do it right now. Just let go of everything to which you are desperately clinging; stop trying to do it yourself! This is the very reason you are still breathing in this physical life—God has been delaying His judgment of this sinful world because He is waiting for you—2 Peter 3:9 says He wants none to perish!

If you have already invited the Spirit into your life, then live like it! Bear fruit! Anyone and everyone who meets you or knows you or sees you or hears you should know immediately and clearly that Jesus the Christ lives in you and loves them! That is how stark the contrast should be between your life and the world around you!

Have you immersed yourself in God’s Word and in prayer in the last twenty-four hours?

If you call yourself a follower of Christ, then there is no excuse for not communing with Him daily! Anchor yourself in the Word! God has revealed Himself to us through His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Bible is a complete and accurate record of that revelation. And prayer is humbly letting Him love us. Let Him love you! God doesn’t need us, but He wants us! God doesn’t need us to live for Him—He wants to live in and through us! Let us love and fellowship with one another, even when you disagree! Pray for each other—the names in the church directory are a great place to start! Church, we are not only the Body of Christ, but we are the Bride of Christ. We have allowed ourselves to get bedraggled and stained—now let us stand to the glory of God! Let’s let Him purify us, restore us, and love us!

My dear Brothers and Sisters, if you have ever once been blessed by God our Father at work in me, then I urge you, please, take seriously His desire to love and work in you, beyond anything you can ask or imagine! I have told you the beginning of my story—may it end in glory to the Father, in the Name of Jesus, by way of His Spirit.

Now, what is your story?