Christian?

And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. (Acts 11:26b KJV)

I recently read the question “What is Christianity?” The writer is an atheist posting on a Christian forum, consistently deriding those who believe 1) there is a God; 2) in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as that God.

Guess ya’ll know where I stand on both those statements. But, his postings have focused my attention on what people do call being a Christian. I noticed for the first time that the disciples were called Christians – apparently by others. It does not appear they applied the name to themselves. It made me wonder if we could earn that title from others today.

Would our words, our actions, cause someone to call us Christians? They would have to see us live our lives according to the principles and values taught by Jesus Christ. We would have to know the principles and values He taught in order to live by them. How many of us are reading the words of those who knew Him personally?

How many of us have read the book of John? The one that begins by defining His deity: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1 KJV) and ends explaining how little was told: And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. (John 21:25 KJV

How many of us shun Revelations because of our own fears of the future, yet it’s the only book that contains a promise just for reading, hearing and keeping His word: Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. (Revelation 1:3 KJV); though there is confirmation regarding those who do not: He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:7-8 KJV)

It also tells us why God created us: Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11 KJV)

If we focus on these few verses, could we be called Christian? Not in the least. Fanatic, maybe, but not Christian. We would miss His own words: Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (John 14:23 KJV)

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13:35 KJV)

Who would call us Christian? Who do you wish to call you a Christian?

Another Church

We’re away from home and will be visiting another church this morning. It’s one we visit two or three times a year, so they are used to having us. A different denomination, our visits serve as a reminder that we are all reading from the same scriptures, seeking fellowship with the same God, a part of the same Bride of Christ.

This morning’s Sunday School scriptures include John 3:16 (come on now, most of you can quote that by heart! If you can’t, please look it up and read the entire chapter) and Romans chapters 5-8. Don’t you just love those first verses from Chapter 5:

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (Romans 5:1 KJV)

That wonderful peace Paul describes later: And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 KJV)

Paul reminds us of the state of our souls when Christ died for us:

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8 KJV)

There are soldiers dying for our country today. I’m certain they perceive this country as being good while recognizing that some of the citizens most likely are not. Instead of appreciating the sacrifice, some are committing crimes even as I write this and will spend time in prison instead of appreciating a soldier’s sacrifice, instead of living the freedom the solder sought.

Yet Christ died solely to reconcile sinners, to provide salvation, knowing full well that not all would accept His sacrifice: For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (Romans 5:10 KJV)

Did it work? Paul provides that answer, too, for those who follow Christ: There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1 KJV)

We have become children of our King: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Romans 8:14 KJV) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (Romans 8:16 KJV)

Paul closes these three chapters with an affirmation of his faith that firms my own:

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39 KJV)

May God bless the reading of His word.

If ... then ... else - again

My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; (Proverbs 2:1 KJV) There are three verses in between that help qualify the first verse before we reach:

Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. (Proverbs 2:5 KJV) The ensuing verses are full of instructions before we reach the ‘else’, which in this case begins:

But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it. (Proverbs 2:22 KJV)

Logical steps, from point A to point B. And what do the righteous have to look forward to: Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter. (Psalms 118:19-20 KJV)

Remember this strait gate? Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:13-14 KJV)

We’re told why these words were written for us: For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. (Romans 15:4 KJV)

What are we to learn? But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Matthew 9:13 KJV)

Come, let us study and learn together.

The Joy of Angels

Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. (Luke 15:10 KJV)

There was joy at our church last night – and I wasn’t there. So sad for me, for I didn’t hear the news until just after noon today – one of our SS girls made her public profession of faith last night. She accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior and openly repented of sin.

I’ve written her – apologizing for not being there to share in her joy, but letting her know that she has given joy to angels, to me, to her family, to her friends – all the people who love her and have prayed for her.

She’s been active in the church for years. She’s knowledgeable about the Bible. She has studied and participated in Sunday School – she does a very good job of participating!!! She knows the plan of salvation, and I’ve heard her present it in role playing and I think she has witnessed to others.

But last night she realized how personal Christ was to her. That He came to seek and to save, even if it were just one:

For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. (Matthew 18:11-13 KJV)

For certain, she is following God’s will:

Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. (Matthew 18:14 KJV)

And, she is following God’s plan:

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32 KJV)

And she has instructions on how to be a young Christian:

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12 KJV)

Let us all rejoice – with her and with the angels!!!!

But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him. A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. (Psalms 68:3-5 KJV)

As Hezekiah ...

In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying, Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years. (Isaiah 38:1-5 KJV)

A church member went home to be with our Lord this past Tuesday. His faith had been evident, expressed openly to all who would hear his witness. His trust in the Lord did not waver, nor did his gratitude.

Almost five years ago the terminal cancer diagnosis included a prognosis of six months, maybe a bit more. As with Hezekiah, he was told to set his house in order. As did Hezekiah, he prayed – we know not the words – and so did his family and his church.

Our prayers were for God’s will to be done first and foremost, but healing and longevity were requested. He was, and we all are, grateful for those additional years with his grandchildren, his children, his beloved wife.

He is missed already, but this Saturday his life and his faith will be celebrated by those who love him and know that his Lord provided answers to all of the prayers. We appreciate the time, we appreciate the knowledge that he is now home.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24 KJV)

Graduation

Sunday night’s graduation was spiritually uplifting. There was no need for the valedictorian to be concerned about speaking Jesus’ name nor invoking His deity in prayer. There were no members of other religions or atheists standing by to deny her a constitutional right to practice her religion, even in a public place.
She was afforded an opportunity to explain her salvation experience. In fact she was encouraged to do so, and her audience paid heed in quiet reflection as she spoke of the years spent reaching her decision.
Most likely there were other such graduation services across our country – my granddaughter had a similar one several years ago. The major difference here was that this graduate was the single graduate of home schooling, and my granddaughter was the single stuent of a Christian school’s senior class.
Both young ladies received high scholastic grades through state accredited programs. I am grateful for having known both of them as they progressed through years of study and appreciation of the knowledge gained.
They are set apart from a majority of students today: But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him. (Psalms 4:3 KJV)
There are times when our school systems remind me of the old Soviet Union’s with their removal of Christianity from all activities. Attendees need to remember their constitutional rights to religion not infringed by the government. Teachers and administrators (and there appear to be more and more of the latter) may not impose a religious belief – but they may not impose non-belief, either. They are legally compelled to allow students expression of their religious beliefs.
This does mean a Muslim student is to be allowed time for scheduled prayers, and a Christian student may speak Jesus’ name in public prayer – both without recrimination, but probably not without a lawsuit or two attempting to provide freedom from religion, not of religion.
These are only two of many young people who have chosen He Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:14 KJV)
And have dedicated their lives zealously to those good works. Thank God for those teachers dedicated to prepare their students for that choice. They have followed that which Paul chose for Timothy:
These things command and teach. (1 Timothy 4:11 KJV)

Saved, and Called

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, (2 Timothy 1:9 KJV)

For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. (2 Timothy 1:12 KJV)

A loving letter from a preacher to a young man he’s mentoring. We can find the same today in many churches – can we find it in our own? Do we expect it only from our preachers? From men who have a way with words?

I pray not.

Every adult in our church can provide guidance for new Christians – especially for teens. And every adult is needed to do so for so many reasons. We are admonished to do so.

For the men: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. (Titus 2:2 KJV) Truthfully, guys, are you strong in all of these qualities? Are they apparent to the teens in the congregation?

For the ladies, Paul even explains the expected results: The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. (Titus 2:3-5 KJV) Are we gals living these qualities as well as teaching them?

Teen years are difficult. They can be more difficult for a Christian teen determined to respond to peer pressure in a Godly manner. The same holds true for all new Christians as they move from newly baptized and grow with Christ. The active support of these ‘aged’ men and women should be available to them without the asking.

Why do all of this? Among the many answers Paul has written are two from the same books:

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (2 Timothy 4:2 KJV)

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (Titus 2:13 KJV)