In a world that is rapidly becoming anti-Christian, it is more and more tempting to keep our faith to ourselves. Some say, “I don’t want to offend anyone.” and try to blend in with the world. Is that what God told us to do? A part of the problem is the message that has been put out by some as Christianity.
What is a Christian?
Did you know that the term “Christian” appears only 3 times in the New Testament? You will find it in Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28, and I Peter 4:16. The Greek word Χριστιανός (Christianos), meaning “follower of Christ” was first used by Romans occupying Antioch, Greece as a derogatory term for those who were teaching about the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Originally these people called themselves “followers of The Way” (because Jesus said, “I am the way…” – John 14:6). Later, those who sought to model their lives on Jesus adopted the derogatory term and wore it proudly.
We are told that in the last days people will not listen to sound doctrine. Even those who claim to be believers will listen to fables that please their ears because these fables make it easier to live the way they want (2 Timothy 4:3). According to the Center for the Study of Global Christianity (CSGC) at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, there are approximately 41,000 Christian denominations and organizations in the world. Why? Why has The Way: the movement that started after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, fragmented so badly? Because mankind wants to custom tailor The Word of God to suit his own sensibilities. Because The Enemy is distracting them from core truth with details. In some cases, this misdirection is so complete that the end result is an affront to God because the beliefs they espouse are so far removed from the instruction of God’s Word that they actually contradict God’s Word. The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life (2010) says that 79.5% of Americans claim to be Christians. However, many polls indicate that a significant number of these cannot answer even basic questions about the Bible.
True Christianity is not a doctrine or a religion. True Christianity is a relationship. Like any relationship, when we enter into it we can expect certain things and certain things are expected of us. Too many times, people say, “I am not able to share my faith because…”. As long as we are alive, we can have an effect on those around us. We may walk slowly or speak softly, but we are still walking and speaking. We should use that.
What effect should that be? Nowhere in the bible does it say we are to condemn non-believers for their lives. The Bible is an instruction manual for living in accordance with God’s will. The Bible was given to God’s people. Unbelievers are not bound by those instructions. We were commissioned to go into all the world and make disciples through teaching not through condemnation.
Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Whatever it is we fill our hearts with is what will spill back out through our lips. If we fill our hearts with hatred for the world, hatred will spill back out. If we fill our hearts with love for Jesus, love spills back out. Which message is the best example of Jesus? This is a tough assignment: we are to live among the worldly, but not live as the worldly. We are to be an example of Jesus’ love and redemption so that the worldly may come to want to know Jesus too.
The Focus of the Redeemed
What do we spend our time absorbing? The Bible says, over and over, that the Enemy comes to steal The Word from our hearts. One of his favorite tools is propaganda. He will distract you from your pursuit of a righteous life with cares of the world. It is good to be informed, but do not obsess over news of the world. Do not let this propaganda replace the Word of God in your mind and steal your contentment and dedication from you. Obsessing over worldly affairs breeds fear.
In 2 Timothy 1:6-7, Paul writes to Timothy, telling him that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” The words translated as “sound mind” are a word picture describing a process involving the correct decision of thoughts. Paul also says, “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you…” The term translated as “stir up” is another word picture, this one is of fanning a flame to make it burn brighter.
Fear and timidity are not of God. A hateful spirit is also not of God. How do we know what is and what is not of God? We must study his instruction manual. We must come to know it. Some will say, “I can’t understand the Bible: it makes no sense to me.” The best answer to that is, “Obey what you do understand and more will be revealed to you.” Remember that this is a relationship. You cannot go into a relationship and ask that all the promises made to you be kept while you honor none of your promises. If you are redeemed by Jesus, you will want, you will hunger, to know Him better. The Bible is how we do that. This will get you started:
- A good Bible. A study bible will help you by providing cross-references, explanations of terms, and background information of who wrote each book, to whom it was written and why. This is often important in our understanding of what is being said.
- Start with prayer. Ask God to teach you. Do not ask God to make you wise. Wisdom is the proper application of knowledge. To be wise, you must first know.
- Set aside time daily – create time if you must: get up 30 minutes early and start your day with a short Bible study, it will get your day off to a great start.
- Read. Start with the book of John. You may want to read through this a couple of times. Then the rest of the Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke. After reading the Gospels, continue with the books of Acts, Romans, then Hebrews. From here pursue your questions. In time you will have read the whole Bible.
- Take notes. As you read, verses will stand out to you. Make note of them in a notebook or on note cards. These are worth memorizing, but at least go back and review them from time to time. Note what it says and why this struck you as important.
- Share. As you learn, you will be excited by what you learn. Share your excitement and knowledge with others.
Romans 10:9-10 say, “…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.”
If we have accepted Jesus, we will want to know Him. Knowing Him comes through the Word of God. If we study the Word of God, and obey it’s teaching, that will fan the flame within us and we will grow in knowledge. As we apply that knowledge we become wise. If we boldly speak the Word of God, God will bring us together with those who need to hear and will listen.
Let the redeemed of the Lord says so … boldly.
References:
- The Holy Bible
- Dr. Dan Netherland
- http://christianity.about.com/od/denominations/p/christiantoday.htm
