Christian: By Name Only

I've really been having a TON on my mind lately in regard to the state of Christians today. I have to say things are not looking good AT ALL. In the past week or so I have been told by 4 other individuals that they were ordained ministers. That came as a surprise to me . . . Their life portrayed absolutely no Biblical standards beside the very general idea of being nice to people and all that stuff.

But it's starting to really both irk me and get me more and more upset. I can't write it all up right now due to time limitations, but . . . where in the world are the Christians? You know, it's almost reminiscent of a while back when I noticed all sorts of actors and actresses were coming forth and saying they were Christians and all that stuff. About three fourths of them however, you'd never be able to tell! I determined that it was becoming a "fad" in hollywood to say you were a Christian. Yet only a handful really were true Christians.

The same is today . . . where are the true Christians? The Christians who strive to have that relationship with Jesus? That holiness? That separation from the sinful nature and lifestyle? So many people call themselves Christians because they either go to church (which doesn't make you a Christian any more than going to a barn makes you a cow, or going to McDonalds makes you a BigMak), or they know Jesus is the Son of God. But you know what? Lean a little closer while I let you in on a secret . . . The devil goes to church too! And guess what's even more shocking . . . the devil actually believes in Jesus as well!! In fact, he was there when Jesus was crucified and he witnessed Jesus' resurrection!

What makes you a Christian? The conscious decision to FOLLOW the Lord Jesus and His Teachings as brought forth in the Bible . . . it is a Personal Relationship with Jesus . . . and that relationship is not to be taken lightly and one of those "Eh, yeah I know the guy" but rather the Bible even likens it to a marriage relationship! It's THAT close of a relationship.

So . . . quit fooling yourself, quit trying to call yourself a Christian or taint the name of Christ by saying you're a Christian, if you don't even serve Christ Jesus!

A good brother and minister once put it like this:

If you were arrested for being a Christian . . . Would they find enough evidence to convict you?