Who Are These Christians?

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#standupchristians, christianity, fakechristians, realchristianity

Does it sometimes feel as though you are on repeat when you speak? You say things in the simplest way and yet so many want to make it hard. So, you say it again. They want to twist your words. You say it again. They want to tell you what you mean. You say it again.

And you think, can anyone hear me?

Paul says in 1 Corinthians that we are to speak the same thing. We are not to be divided in any way. Christians have a bad reputation for being hypocrites mainly because we all give different gospels. We do not speak or give the same message. We are not one body. I would argue that we are not even in the same family.

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

1 Corinthians 1:10

In this world of everything, it’s hard for the small to be heard. Real Christians are definitely the least of these now. And in this big world where it is practically criminal to say anything anyone disagrees with, it is hard to get the message across without someone adding their evil spin to it…even on repeat. But let’s not confuse the meaning of Christian.

So, what is a Christian. Who are we? What do we believe?

I tell you the truth my beloved brothers and sisters. Christians believe that Jesus Christ’s death, burial and resurrection paid for all of their sins. We are the true members of the spiritual body of Christ. We believe that nothing we do, no activity, no ritual, no way of living can earn a place in Heaven with the Lord. Only belief in the ultimate, the final sacrifice can do this.

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

1 Peter 3:18

He was delivered over to death for our trespasses and was raised to life for our justification.

Romans 4:25

To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5:19

Why would one want to complicate something as simple as salvation?

Once you are a believer of the truth of your salvation, you are a Christian. What you do with this information once you receive is between you and God. How you live your life once you have received this information is between you and God. Dear friend, do not allow anyone to tell you about your sin. No one on this earth can judge you. Your sins and theirs are paid in full, just believe that. And beloved, trust me, receipt of the sweet gift of salvation from Jesus Christ will open your eyes to things more beautiful than any sin. You will desire to share this gospel with others. But, I beseech you, please do not distort the gospel of the grace of God. It is and always has been simple. We are saved by our faith through the grace of God by the blood of the savior Jesus the Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).

There are many reasons people want to add to this good news and place stipulations and clauses on the gospel. It does not matter. The motive is the same. The mastermind behind all of the confusion is the same. Lucifer, the fallen angel, destined for an eternal hell wants to build his army to fight the Lord in the end of days. And he will take the desires of your heart and build this army with your blood, if you are not careful.

Keep it simple. The already shed blood of Jesus Christ paid for your sins. You are destined for heaven if you believe this. And we want to build God’s army in Heaven where we will all live forever.

May the grace of God bless and keep you all.

Grace and peace,

Blessings and love,

 

 

Defining True Christian Purpose

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#christianpersecution, #truechristian, christianity, faith

Last week, while waiting on a game to start, I asked a few friends and relatives about their faith.

“Tell me, no jokes, why are you a Christian,” I asked.

After I was lovingly berated for starting such a conversation minutes before a game, my circle got serious and answered proudly, boldly.

“Because I believe Jesus is Lord and He died for my sins.”

This was basically the consensus, but of course I had a follow up. As Christians, what is our motivation? Are we fully committed to what it means to be a follower of Christ?

Are we all in?

Ok, so you believe Jesus really is the begotten son of God. You know that he has atoned for all sin. Now, you just want to share this awesome news.

How far are you willing to go?

As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Romans 8:36

In the Bible, believers were willing to die and suffer all kinds of persecution for the faith. Jesus’s disciples were some of the first to suffer for the gospel.

Peter and Andrew were crucified. Thomas was stabbed (speared). Matthew was stabbed to death. James beaten to death. Matthias was burned alive. Paul was beheaded. And these horrifying killings were just a “drop in the bucket” of people who died all because they were “all in” for Christ.

In some parts of the world even now, our brothers and sisters are being oppressed because of their choice to follow Christ. Christians in China, Egypt, Eritrea, India, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria and Turkey are still being crucified, imprisoned and beaten all because they try to worship Christ, all because they refused to deny Him (Aid to Churches In Need 2017).

Some of us won’t speak up because we are afraid of what others may say. Some of us are afraid of losing money or status. Some of us cower at the idea of being ostracized for our faith.

Would you be willing to take a beating or worse all because you are a disciple of Christ?

Beware of the Gateway Gospel

Our purpose should be to deliver the gospel of Christ unabridged and unapologetically. Now, some people may start out with the express intention of sharing the gospel. But, if they are profiting, be it monetarily or by popularity, it is easy for the message to become lost. It is so simple for the enemy to tarnish the purity of the mission, even if it means abandoning the gospel altogether. This is how cults are formed.

The truth is taught but lies and deceptions are mixed in with the truth making it hard to spot at first. The cure for this is to study the Bible on your own.

…but there be some that trouble you and would pervert the gospel Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

Galatians 1:7-9

Regardless your motivation, be it for good, for the love of Christ or for self. If the gospel is being preached, God means it for good. In Philippians Paul wrote to the church about others taking advantage of his imprisonment and persecution to preach the gospel. He warned that they may be doing so out of rivalry and some may have been teaching the gospel of Christ out of goodness. His point was that regardless the motivation, Christ was being preached and in that he rejoiced (Philippians 1:15-18).

Now dear beloved friends, the people who are hearing and believing the gospel through these teachers’ selfish intentions or humble intentions, are saved and their reward is in Heaven. But the black hearted ones…well…

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Matthew 7:21-23

Lost in translation

Years ago, when I was a new Christian, I was part of a few social media groups and chatrooms where the purpose was to share the gospel. It was like an online Bible study, if you will. I was eager to share what I learned and in turn, also allow others to edify me.

Sadly, the groups quickly became a breeding grown for confusion. The “believers” frequently got into heated debates that quickly escalated to a virtual brawl. I rarely saw kindness just brash comments stamped with “the gospel of Jesus Christ” in a futile effort to make them righteous.

It was heart breaking. So, I left.

Some people use our faith as a platform for their own selfish motives. It may be for endorsements, to get paid, or to make a name for themselves. Some are just wicked enough to jump into it just to stir the emotions of believers by playing to their beliefs.

Whatever their motives, I hope it is worth it. We will all have to answer for the work we have done here on earth. But I beg you my dear brothers and sisters, to remember our true purpose. Hold in your hearts, our reason for being a Christian.

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:3-11

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Healing Confessions That Give Life

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#celebraterecovery, family, health, Inspiration, peace, prayer, relationship

Joking, I once told a friend that Catholics should be in good mental health with all their confession requirements. Maybe it was distasteful but hey, that’s how we joke. When we speak on it seriously, it’s not funny at all. Many religions believe that confession is an integral part of securing and keeping salvation. That is a lie. But, I submit that confessing your sins to each other can be very healing for relationships and prosperous for your spiritual journey.

Some people may spout scriptures like Romans 6:14 and 22 to make you believe that talking about your sin or struggle is pointless. Don’t fall for that. Make no mistake, sin has no dominion over us. We are forgiven. But this does not mean that you are wrong for talking about your personal struggles.

Not long ago, I felt compelled to make some serious changes in my life. I sought advice from a few trusted friends. To receive true advice, I had to first fess up.

While it is not a requirement to confess your sins to anyone, there is a reason we are encouraged to do so. Don’t you think?

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.

James 5:16

Confessing your sins to each other is not an absolute to go to heaven. Trust me, God already knows about them and forgave every one of them on the cross. Remember the thief hanging there next to Jesus? Jesus gave him an instant entrance ticket to heaven. And my heart, you have the same. When Jesus said, ‘It is finished’, he meant it.

But, something beautiful happens when we unload our burdens. Find that dear trusted friend, and just allow them to share your load. If this is not an option, write it down in a letter to yourself (burn the letter after you read it) and take the cleansing breath of relief. Feel better? Can you feel that weight being lifted off? Are you sleeping better now?

This healing is a necessity if we are to continue to teach and share the gospel. Part of our beauty is in our faults. If we were perfect, we would not need a Savior. God does not expect us to be perfect. After all, we are perfected through Him. But, that does not mean that we should not strive to live clean lives (1 Corinthians 1:8, Hebrews 12:13).

And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.

Philippians 1:9-10

We cannot move and continue our work here on earth if we are bound. Beloved, I speak from experience when I say, it only encompasses you. Let it go. Anything that is hidden cannot be healed (Psalms 32:3).

Grace and peace,

Blessings and love,