“I’ve been a Christian all my life.” A kind lady proudly shared this with me yesterday. I always stop and wonder what God thinks of that. I’m thrilled so many like her claim the name of Christian, but I fear that many do not grasp its meaning, and one day, their label may prove meaningless.
Compare it to the word Haitian . It means of or relating to the country Haiti. The suffix -ian means belonging to, coming from, being involved in, or being like something. A Haitian, then, is a person who is in some way connected to or reflective of Haiti.
I guess the lady I spoke with believes she has always belonged to Christ or has always been like Him. I don’t know about you, but I surely haven’t always been like Him, nor am I ever reflective of His holiness in all ways at all times. But have I always belonged to Him? Certainly I could agree that I have always belonged to a church that proclaims the name of Christ. I was baptized by my own grandfather before I could even speak. But did I always belong to Him?
This topic of what it means to be a Christian separates the evangelical from the mainstream. Perhaps the subject is even one of political incorrectness between churches. You believe your way, and I’ll believe mine. Of course, that’s just another version of tolerance. What’s true for you is true for you, but it doesn’t have to be true for me. How I wish that were reality! I’d make a lot of things true for me – like, I’d weigh ten pounds less than the scales say I do, just because I believe it to be so.
The Bible is our holy scale. Everything we believe must be measured by it. To those who believe they were a Christian at birth, I pray you’ll receive these verses with the love with which they are sent.
“Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” John 3:3-7
“However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.” Romans 8:9
We become related to God, connected to Him, through the power and the presence of His Spirit. Take a look around you. Do you see the Spirit of Christ dwelling in everybody? So how do you know He is dwelling in you?
I’m just asking.
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