Secret Agent movies were very popular when I was a student. The James Bond 007 franchise is still a success today, 40 years later.
Over the years there have been many movies and television shows about spies and secret agents. (“Mission: Impossible” and “Get Smart” come to mind.) All glamorize or make light of a very serious part of international affairs--espionage.
Even the Bible records the use of spies to check out enemy defenses in the Promised Land.
One of the most feared and dangerous roles in the spy business is the double agent. A double agent secretly works for both sides. But his allegiance is usually to one side alone.
Sometimes a double agent’s allegiance is only to himself. He is in it for what benefits him.
Sort of like some people who attend church.
“Now hold on just a minute! Churchgoers as double agents? Isn’t that a little outrageous?”
Maybe, but it’s also true. At least for some.
They look like they fit in. They dress the part, talk the talk and even donate money. But when they attend church, they are just putting on a show. They do it to convince others and themselves that they’re Christians. But their allegiance is only to themselves.
While double agents make a great plot element in a movie, their presence in a church can be devastating—both to the organization and to themselves.
Why? Because they have a different mission than Christ or his church.
Jesus made it clear that he came “to seek and to save the lost.” His passion is to have a personal faith relationship with each member of the human race. To bring forgiveness, peace and hope to us through his death on the cross.
The mission of the church is to take the gospel, the good news about Christ, to the world. It’s a very simple message that can be summed up in ten words: “Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead.” Everyone who believes in him is forgiven and receives eternal life.
The church is not here to be a rule-enforcing police department, a political action committee or a theater with the best show in town. Its main mission is not social justice. It is here to point people to Jesus Christ. People who will worship and serve him alone.
When power-seeking, self-centered or greedy individuals infiltrate the church, they can do immeasurable harm to it. Especially if they become church leaders and substitute a “shadow mission” (their own agenda) for what Jesus asked the church to do.
Such “double agents” also suffer personally. They suffer because they miss out on a personal relationship with God and the forgiveness, joy and peace he offers them through faith in Christ.
They think the church is just another service organization and see membership as a way to improve their standing in the eyes of others. Or maybe as a way to control other people.
What to do? Well, if you’re a churchgoer ask yourself, “Am I on Jesus’ mission or my own?”
Are you following Jesus and serving him or are you only attending for what you get out of it? Does your life encourage others to follow Christ or discourage them?
The Apostle Paul wrote in the Bible, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
Paul was not a “secret agent” Christian or a “double agent.” He was a real Christ follower.
When you get to the end of your life, all the thrills, power and wealth you’ve gained will mean nothing. Only your faith in Christ and the people you pointed to him will matter in eternity.
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Showing posts with label Christian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian. Show all posts
Monday, May 11, 2009
Monday, July 28, 2008
The Christian Test
Question: “When is a “Christian” a true Christian? Answer: “When he or she--”
“Wait--hold on just a minute! Who decides what makes one a true follower of Jesus Christ?”
You’re right. It’s not up to me. Only God decides what makes a Christian a true Christian. And his book, the Bible, tells us what that is.
Some believe that to be a Christian all you do is believe in God, go to church and pray. But, as I‘ve pointed out before, Jesus didn’t call anyone to be a Christian. He called us to follow him.
Before the Bible even mentions the word “Christian,” it talks about becoming a “child of God” instead of being a “child of the devil.” So how does one become a “child of God”?
We must receive Jesus Christ. The Bible says, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Sounds simple enough.
In the framework of the New Testament, “receiving” Jesus meant accepting him for who he claimed to be: the divine Son of God who died for the sins of the world so he could save people everywhere from their sin. It didn’t just mean agreeing that he is the Savior.
When you “believe in his name” you trust in Jesus Christ to forgive your sin and make you part of God’s forever family. But you must believe for yourself. No one else can do it for you.
What if you were baptized as a baby? If so your parents made a wonderful commitment to bring you up in the church. But infants can’t “receive him” and “believe in his name.”
Another scripture makes it clearer: “If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” It’s obvious that a baby cannot yet “confess” or “believe.”
So what should you do if you were baptized as a baby? Complete your parents’ intentions. Their hope was that you would choose to follow Jesus with your life. So put your trust in him.
The church cannot save you. The Bible says that only personal faith in Christ can save you.
Perhaps you know someone who says they have trusted in Christ but their life or their lips tell an entirely different story. What about that?
We cannot judge what has happened in another’s heart. God will do that. But the Bible does say to “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course you fail the test.”
The Bible adds, “Make your calling and election sure…. For if you do…you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
To pass the Christian Test, first check if you have personally received and trusted in Jesus. Then examine your life. Are you growing in “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control”? Those are the result of God’s work in your heart.
Next, do you love to obey God? The Bible says, “Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
If you claim to be a Christian, go to church and hear the Bible taught, but don’t obey God, you are deceiving yourself. Sadly that’s what so many do.
Some say, “But I’m trying!” That’s nice. But as Jedi Master Yoda said to Luke Skywalker in “Star Wars,” “Do or do not. There is no ‘try.’” Simple but profound.
So how can you tell if you are a true Christian? Answer: If you trust in Christ and obey him.
God helps true Christians obey him and gives them joy. I wonder--do you pass the test?
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
“Wait--hold on just a minute! Who decides what makes one a true follower of Jesus Christ?”
You’re right. It’s not up to me. Only God decides what makes a Christian a true Christian. And his book, the Bible, tells us what that is.
Some believe that to be a Christian all you do is believe in God, go to church and pray. But, as I‘ve pointed out before, Jesus didn’t call anyone to be a Christian. He called us to follow him.
Before the Bible even mentions the word “Christian,” it talks about becoming a “child of God” instead of being a “child of the devil.” So how does one become a “child of God”?
We must receive Jesus Christ. The Bible says, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Sounds simple enough.
In the framework of the New Testament, “receiving” Jesus meant accepting him for who he claimed to be: the divine Son of God who died for the sins of the world so he could save people everywhere from their sin. It didn’t just mean agreeing that he is the Savior.
When you “believe in his name” you trust in Jesus Christ to forgive your sin and make you part of God’s forever family. But you must believe for yourself. No one else can do it for you.
What if you were baptized as a baby? If so your parents made a wonderful commitment to bring you up in the church. But infants can’t “receive him” and “believe in his name.”
Another scripture makes it clearer: “If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” It’s obvious that a baby cannot yet “confess” or “believe.”
So what should you do if you were baptized as a baby? Complete your parents’ intentions. Their hope was that you would choose to follow Jesus with your life. So put your trust in him.
The church cannot save you. The Bible says that only personal faith in Christ can save you.
Perhaps you know someone who says they have trusted in Christ but their life or their lips tell an entirely different story. What about that?
We cannot judge what has happened in another’s heart. God will do that. But the Bible does say to “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course you fail the test.”
The Bible adds, “Make your calling and election sure…. For if you do…you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
To pass the Christian Test, first check if you have personally received and trusted in Jesus. Then examine your life. Are you growing in “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control”? Those are the result of God’s work in your heart.
Next, do you love to obey God? The Bible says, “Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
If you claim to be a Christian, go to church and hear the Bible taught, but don’t obey God, you are deceiving yourself. Sadly that’s what so many do.
Some say, “But I’m trying!” That’s nice. But as Jedi Master Yoda said to Luke Skywalker in “Star Wars,” “Do or do not. There is no ‘try.’” Simple but profound.
So how can you tell if you are a true Christian? Answer: If you trust in Christ and obey him.
God helps true Christians obey him and gives them joy. I wonder--do you pass the test?
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Monday, October 29, 2007
Lone Ranger Christians
One of my favorite Halloween costumes was the Lone Ranger. He was a childhood hero.
Popular on television in the 1950s, the Lone Ranger was a fictitious Texas Ranger. The lone survivor of an outlaw ambush, he was nursed back to health by Tonto, an orphaned Indian he once rescued. The Lone Ranger made a career of righting wrongs and capturing outlaws.
But the Lone Ranger worked alone--without the aid of organized law enforcement.
One man can make a difference, but he can’t live a fully productive life by himself. The truth is, we all need other people. “No man is an island,” said the English poet John Donne.
The Lone Ranger’s adventures made good TV but he’s a poor example for Christians.
Now hold it just a minute. What’s wrong with a “Lone Ranger Christian?”
Lone Ranger Christians don’t think they need the church or anyone else. They believe they can get along just fine by themselves. One once told me, “I can worship God on the tree stump in my back yard just as well as on a church pew.”
Often they became loners because, like the Lone Ranger, they were “ambushed”—usually by well-meaning church folks. With their feelings hurt, they retreat to a hermit-like faith.
“Why should I go to church?” they ask. “Everyone there is a hypocrite!”
Let’s be honest. Church folk sometimes say and do hurtful things. Unfortunately every Christian is not a perfect example of their faith. But that’s no reason to give up on the church.
Jesus took the religious leaders of his day to task for their poor application of Scripture and failure to obey God. But he still attended worship regularly. With the hypocrites.
New Testament churches were full of problems. There were church bosses, false doctrine and people living in sin. But did the apostles give up on the church? No—they worked hard to help it become all God intended it to be: the Hope of the world.
Most of the New Testament is written proof that the Apostles of Jesus Christ were not willing to write off the church. Time and again they wrote to correct problems in the churches and to encourage Christians to live out their faith.
The church is not a museum for perfect Christians. It’s a repair station to fix problems.
Sylvester Stallone, who played Rocky and Rambo in the movies, told a group of pastors, “Living without the church is like working out without a trainer. You need to have the expertise and guidance of someone else. You can’t train yourself. I feel the same way about Christianity.”
“The church is the gym of the soul,” Stallone continued. “Pastors are like trainers that guide you through difficult times and take you to places you don’t believe you can go. A lot of people say, ‘I can do it on my own, I have a one-on-one relationship with God.’ Well, it’s not quite the same…The more I turn myself over to the process of believing in Jesus, listening to His Word and having Him guide my hand, the more I feel as though the pressure is off me now.”
The Lone Ranger was the classic Western at its best. But it was just fiction.
The reality of Christianity is not about “Lone Ranger Christians.” It’s not just about us. The early church “devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Community is necessary for the church to be the church.
God’s advice through the Apostles was pointed and direct: “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day [of Christ’s return] approaching.”
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Popular on television in the 1950s, the Lone Ranger was a fictitious Texas Ranger. The lone survivor of an outlaw ambush, he was nursed back to health by Tonto, an orphaned Indian he once rescued. The Lone Ranger made a career of righting wrongs and capturing outlaws.
But the Lone Ranger worked alone--without the aid of organized law enforcement.
One man can make a difference, but he can’t live a fully productive life by himself. The truth is, we all need other people. “No man is an island,” said the English poet John Donne.
The Lone Ranger’s adventures made good TV but he’s a poor example for Christians.
Now hold it just a minute. What’s wrong with a “Lone Ranger Christian?”
Lone Ranger Christians don’t think they need the church or anyone else. They believe they can get along just fine by themselves. One once told me, “I can worship God on the tree stump in my back yard just as well as on a church pew.”
Often they became loners because, like the Lone Ranger, they were “ambushed”—usually by well-meaning church folks. With their feelings hurt, they retreat to a hermit-like faith.
“Why should I go to church?” they ask. “Everyone there is a hypocrite!”
Let’s be honest. Church folk sometimes say and do hurtful things. Unfortunately every Christian is not a perfect example of their faith. But that’s no reason to give up on the church.
Jesus took the religious leaders of his day to task for their poor application of Scripture and failure to obey God. But he still attended worship regularly. With the hypocrites.
New Testament churches were full of problems. There were church bosses, false doctrine and people living in sin. But did the apostles give up on the church? No—they worked hard to help it become all God intended it to be: the Hope of the world.
Most of the New Testament is written proof that the Apostles of Jesus Christ were not willing to write off the church. Time and again they wrote to correct problems in the churches and to encourage Christians to live out their faith.
The church is not a museum for perfect Christians. It’s a repair station to fix problems.
Sylvester Stallone, who played Rocky and Rambo in the movies, told a group of pastors, “Living without the church is like working out without a trainer. You need to have the expertise and guidance of someone else. You can’t train yourself. I feel the same way about Christianity.”
“The church is the gym of the soul,” Stallone continued. “Pastors are like trainers that guide you through difficult times and take you to places you don’t believe you can go. A lot of people say, ‘I can do it on my own, I have a one-on-one relationship with God.’ Well, it’s not quite the same…The more I turn myself over to the process of believing in Jesus, listening to His Word and having Him guide my hand, the more I feel as though the pressure is off me now.”
The Lone Ranger was the classic Western at its best. But it was just fiction.
The reality of Christianity is not about “Lone Ranger Christians.” It’s not just about us. The early church “devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Community is necessary for the church to be the church.
God’s advice through the Apostles was pointed and direct: “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day [of Christ’s return] approaching.”
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Fabulous Fakes
Fakes are all around us.
There is fake butter (margarine), fake sugar (artificial sweetener) and fake coffee cream.
My first time on a movie set, I was amazed at how much was not what it appeared to be. Rocks, props and much of the set were all fakes. But they looked real and fooled the camera.
Many movie stars and other wealthy types wear fake copies of their expensive jewelry so there is less risk of robbery. The fakes look authentic and fool all but an expert’s eye.
So it shouldn’t surprise us that most churches have Fake Christians—people who look, talk and act like real Christians, fooling the church. Fabulous Christian Fakes, if you please.
Whoa! Hold on just a minute—fake Christians? How can there be fake Christians?
Jesus predicted that among his followers there would always be fakes--people who would be hard to tell from genuine believers. Judases. Later the Bible warns the church to look out for false leaders and teachers whose only goal is to gain a following and reap financial rewards.
One Christian leader recently stated his personal opinion that just fifteen to twenty percent of members and attendees at most churches were true Biblical Christians.
Well how can you tell if you are a “real” Christian? What’s the evidence?
Does walking an aisle and praying a prayer make you a real Christian? Does catechism, baptism, church membership or any other experience show you are truly a Christian? If you claim to be (or someone says you were) “saved” or “born again,” does that make it real?
Many evangelical church groups refer to true believers as “saved” or “born again.” They take these terms from the Bible. Jesus said, “No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” He went on to describe a spiritual re-birth resulting from faith in him.
In the New Testament book of Romans God says, “If you confess with your mouth ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” The context makes it clear that being “saved” is from sin’s effects, consequences and punishment.
So the first part of being a Biblical Christian involves putting faith and trust in Christ for salvation and forgiveness from sin. It also involves a turning away from sin and towards God.
But this internal act of belief always results in an external change of behavior.
Jesus said, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Others should be able to observe in Christians the same compassion and the same selfless, sacrificial love Jesus showed.
The Bible says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” It’s not complete perfection but an obvious transformation--a changed life.
God’s Word warns Christians, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” The proof of believing is in the doing—out of joy and not duty.
Many people in America claim to be Christians. Some attend church occasionally. They tell themselves, “I believe in God, I pray and I go to church. I’m a Christian.” What’s sad is that they have settled for a ritual instead of a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Often they are sincere, well meaning religious people. But their faith is a fake faith.
What they need to do is to humble themselves, trust Jesus with simple childlike faith and receive him as their Lord and Savior. Then they will want to please God, read his Word and allow it to change their lives. And God will change their desires, their habits and their speech.
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
There is fake butter (margarine), fake sugar (artificial sweetener) and fake coffee cream.
My first time on a movie set, I was amazed at how much was not what it appeared to be. Rocks, props and much of the set were all fakes. But they looked real and fooled the camera.
Many movie stars and other wealthy types wear fake copies of their expensive jewelry so there is less risk of robbery. The fakes look authentic and fool all but an expert’s eye.
So it shouldn’t surprise us that most churches have Fake Christians—people who look, talk and act like real Christians, fooling the church. Fabulous Christian Fakes, if you please.
Whoa! Hold on just a minute—fake Christians? How can there be fake Christians?
Jesus predicted that among his followers there would always be fakes--people who would be hard to tell from genuine believers. Judases. Later the Bible warns the church to look out for false leaders and teachers whose only goal is to gain a following and reap financial rewards.
One Christian leader recently stated his personal opinion that just fifteen to twenty percent of members and attendees at most churches were true Biblical Christians.
Well how can you tell if you are a “real” Christian? What’s the evidence?
Does walking an aisle and praying a prayer make you a real Christian? Does catechism, baptism, church membership or any other experience show you are truly a Christian? If you claim to be (or someone says you were) “saved” or “born again,” does that make it real?
Many evangelical church groups refer to true believers as “saved” or “born again.” They take these terms from the Bible. Jesus said, “No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” He went on to describe a spiritual re-birth resulting from faith in him.
In the New Testament book of Romans God says, “If you confess with your mouth ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” The context makes it clear that being “saved” is from sin’s effects, consequences and punishment.
So the first part of being a Biblical Christian involves putting faith and trust in Christ for salvation and forgiveness from sin. It also involves a turning away from sin and towards God.
But this internal act of belief always results in an external change of behavior.
Jesus said, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Others should be able to observe in Christians the same compassion and the same selfless, sacrificial love Jesus showed.
The Bible says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” It’s not complete perfection but an obvious transformation--a changed life.
God’s Word warns Christians, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” The proof of believing is in the doing—out of joy and not duty.
Many people in America claim to be Christians. Some attend church occasionally. They tell themselves, “I believe in God, I pray and I go to church. I’m a Christian.” What’s sad is that they have settled for a ritual instead of a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Often they are sincere, well meaning religious people. But their faith is a fake faith.
What they need to do is to humble themselves, trust Jesus with simple childlike faith and receive him as their Lord and Savior. Then they will want to please God, read his Word and allow it to change their lives. And God will change their desires, their habits and their speech.
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
The Impersonator
The ultimate Elvis impersonator was crowned last week in Memphis, Tennessee.
Shawn Klush won the title as the #1 Tribute Artist in the world. He did it by imitating Elvis’ look, sound, moves and mannerisms. Since his death, the official Elvis impersonator contest was the next best thing to seeing him in person. For a brief moment, Elvis “lived” again.
Thousands of people showed up. Some came to compete but most came to watch. The show celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of the “The King” of Rock and Roll’s death.
The media focused on the competitors and fans that confess Elvis is their life. Many have changed and rearranged their lives around Elvis’ music and his death.
Some of the stories were fascinating. One woman’s wedding anniversary fell on the day Elvis died. She admitted she and her husband no longer celebrate on that date but on a day that comes before or after. And no one thought her crazy. She is just another dedicated fan.
Well hold on just a minute. Why aren’t there any Jesus impersonators?
Why not compete to see who is the most like Jesus? Sure it would be hard to duplicate the miracles and the healings. But how about his love and acceptance of those who were down and out? What about his righteous indignation at injustice and hypocrites? Imitate that.
Didn’t Jesus say, “Learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart”? The Bible says, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” One of Jesus’ greatest followers, the Apostle Paul, said, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” Shouldn’t people mimic Jesus?
The reason there aren’t Jesus impersonators is because Jesus, the real King, is still alive!
Every Sunday Christians celebrate the fact that he is alive. Other religions and fan clubs celebrate the death of the founder or celebrity they worship. Christianity is the only religion that celebrates a resurrection. Crazy? Not if it’s true!
Many who set out to disprove the resurrection discovered that the evidence in support of it is overwhelming. (Read journalist Frank Morison’s “Who Moved the Stone?” as an example.)
According to author Josh McDowell, there is far more evidence Jesus of Nazareth lived, died and rose again than there is to document the lives of philosophers Aristotle or Plato.
The first followers of Jesus were eventually called “Christians” because their speech and lives reminded people of Christ. And it wasn’t because they were trying to impersonate Jesus.
Jesus said he would send the Holy Spirit to live in those who believe in him. The living presence of God in a Christian’s life changes them from a self-centered individual into someone who loves and serves others. Someone like Jesus. God changes Christians from the inside out.
Even though he is the Son of God, Jesus said he “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus put our needs first to save us from our sin.
When someone puts their faith in Jesus Christ, they begin to change into someone like him. For some the transition takes longer than for others, but the result is a real change of heart.
But wait just a minute. Now that I think about it, there may not be Jesus impersonators, but there are Christian impersonators--people mimicking the behavior, appearance and speech of Christians. A Christian impersonator tries to be like a Christian without becoming a Christian.
Such a charade is so unnecessary. The Bible says anyone can be a Christian by admitting they are a sinner, believing Jesus Christ died on the cross for their sin and confessing him as their Lord and Savior. If you follow and obey him, Jesus will make a real Christian out of you.
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Shawn Klush won the title as the #1 Tribute Artist in the world. He did it by imitating Elvis’ look, sound, moves and mannerisms. Since his death, the official Elvis impersonator contest was the next best thing to seeing him in person. For a brief moment, Elvis “lived” again.
Thousands of people showed up. Some came to compete but most came to watch. The show celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of the “The King” of Rock and Roll’s death.
The media focused on the competitors and fans that confess Elvis is their life. Many have changed and rearranged their lives around Elvis’ music and his death.
Some of the stories were fascinating. One woman’s wedding anniversary fell on the day Elvis died. She admitted she and her husband no longer celebrate on that date but on a day that comes before or after. And no one thought her crazy. She is just another dedicated fan.
Well hold on just a minute. Why aren’t there any Jesus impersonators?
Why not compete to see who is the most like Jesus? Sure it would be hard to duplicate the miracles and the healings. But how about his love and acceptance of those who were down and out? What about his righteous indignation at injustice and hypocrites? Imitate that.
Didn’t Jesus say, “Learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart”? The Bible says, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” One of Jesus’ greatest followers, the Apostle Paul, said, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” Shouldn’t people mimic Jesus?
The reason there aren’t Jesus impersonators is because Jesus, the real King, is still alive!
Every Sunday Christians celebrate the fact that he is alive. Other religions and fan clubs celebrate the death of the founder or celebrity they worship. Christianity is the only religion that celebrates a resurrection. Crazy? Not if it’s true!
Many who set out to disprove the resurrection discovered that the evidence in support of it is overwhelming. (Read journalist Frank Morison’s “Who Moved the Stone?” as an example.)
According to author Josh McDowell, there is far more evidence Jesus of Nazareth lived, died and rose again than there is to document the lives of philosophers Aristotle or Plato.
The first followers of Jesus were eventually called “Christians” because their speech and lives reminded people of Christ. And it wasn’t because they were trying to impersonate Jesus.
Jesus said he would send the Holy Spirit to live in those who believe in him. The living presence of God in a Christian’s life changes them from a self-centered individual into someone who loves and serves others. Someone like Jesus. God changes Christians from the inside out.
Even though he is the Son of God, Jesus said he “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus put our needs first to save us from our sin.
When someone puts their faith in Jesus Christ, they begin to change into someone like him. For some the transition takes longer than for others, but the result is a real change of heart.
But wait just a minute. Now that I think about it, there may not be Jesus impersonators, but there are Christian impersonators--people mimicking the behavior, appearance and speech of Christians. A Christian impersonator tries to be like a Christian without becoming a Christian.
Such a charade is so unnecessary. The Bible says anyone can be a Christian by admitting they are a sinner, believing Jesus Christ died on the cross for their sin and confessing him as their Lord and Savior. If you follow and obey him, Jesus will make a real Christian out of you.
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Almost Friends
I’ll never forget the day I almost met Bob Hope in Columbus, Ohio.
As I walked from a restaurant to the parking lot with friends, I almost ran in to him--literally! He was coming up the sidewalk and walked right by me.
“Hey, wasn’t that Bob Hope?” asked my friend. I said, “No way!” My friend said, “Yes it was!” So I went back and took a second look and, sure enough, it was Bob Hope, star of stage and screen. He was much shorter than I expected and looked like an ordinary grandfather. But I never met him. He was headlining the Ohio State Fair that year and had all his “people” around him. It was the closest I ever got to a Hollywood star.
So, if I told you Bob Hope and I were good friends, would you believe me? Of course not! I got close to him but I never met him. We were almost friends. And, as they say, “Almost only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades.”
Some people I know are almost friends of Jesus, too. They are almost Christians.
Well hold on just a minute. How can you be almost a Christian? Good question!
Some people get close to Jesus but never meet him. They almost run into him at church, Vacation Bible School, camp, weddings and funerals. Often they even attend church regularly and sing in the choir. But they don’t know Jesus and he doesn’t know them.
Others are introduced to Jesus Christ but then they forget him and go on with their lives. Maybe a friend introduces them to Jesus and talks about how a relationship with him changed their life. But they don’t personally pursue a “God-connection.” Nothing changes.
If I had personally met Bob Hope and then forgot who he was, it wouldn’t make much difference in my life. But if you meet Jesus and forget who he is, it will matter for eternity.
Last month I asked a young man if he’d met Jesus. He told me, “Not personally.” Well, if you’ve never personally met Jesus, may I introduce you? He’s worth more than a second look.
The Bible’s most famous verse, John 3:16, says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Jesus himself claimed he was God’s son and that his death would provide forgiveness for sin. The Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Faith in Christ solves your sin problem and gives you the gift of eternal life.
A Christian is a person who meets Jesus Christ in the Bible, puts his or her faith in him and finds Jesus to be all he claims to be. Once a person takes that step of faith, they discover that God changes them for the better, from the inside out! And Jesus becomes a true friend forever.
You read a lot in the newspaper about politics. People are very passionate about it. But politics can’t really change your life forever or satisfy your soul. Only Jesus can do that.
Here’s what I tell folks who ask how they can meet Jesus and become a Christian: “The Bible makes it as easy as A, B, C. A - ADMIT to God that you have sinned and turn from your sin to God. B - BELIEVE that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins and rose from the dead. C - CALL upon Jesus and ask him to be your Lord and Savior.”
The Bible says if you do that, you can “know that you have eternal life.” Being a Christian and going to Heaven isn’t just a “hope so.” It’s a “know so” because God said so!
Once you meet Jesus, make peace with God and settle your eternal destination, you can focus on making a difference in this world because the most important issues are finally settled.
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
As I walked from a restaurant to the parking lot with friends, I almost ran in to him--literally! He was coming up the sidewalk and walked right by me.
“Hey, wasn’t that Bob Hope?” asked my friend. I said, “No way!” My friend said, “Yes it was!” So I went back and took a second look and, sure enough, it was Bob Hope, star of stage and screen. He was much shorter than I expected and looked like an ordinary grandfather. But I never met him. He was headlining the Ohio State Fair that year and had all his “people” around him. It was the closest I ever got to a Hollywood star.
So, if I told you Bob Hope and I were good friends, would you believe me? Of course not! I got close to him but I never met him. We were almost friends. And, as they say, “Almost only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades.”
Some people I know are almost friends of Jesus, too. They are almost Christians.
Well hold on just a minute. How can you be almost a Christian? Good question!
Some people get close to Jesus but never meet him. They almost run into him at church, Vacation Bible School, camp, weddings and funerals. Often they even attend church regularly and sing in the choir. But they don’t know Jesus and he doesn’t know them.
Others are introduced to Jesus Christ but then they forget him and go on with their lives. Maybe a friend introduces them to Jesus and talks about how a relationship with him changed their life. But they don’t personally pursue a “God-connection.” Nothing changes.
If I had personally met Bob Hope and then forgot who he was, it wouldn’t make much difference in my life. But if you meet Jesus and forget who he is, it will matter for eternity.
Last month I asked a young man if he’d met Jesus. He told me, “Not personally.” Well, if you’ve never personally met Jesus, may I introduce you? He’s worth more than a second look.
The Bible’s most famous verse, John 3:16, says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Jesus himself claimed he was God’s son and that his death would provide forgiveness for sin. The Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Faith in Christ solves your sin problem and gives you the gift of eternal life.
A Christian is a person who meets Jesus Christ in the Bible, puts his or her faith in him and finds Jesus to be all he claims to be. Once a person takes that step of faith, they discover that God changes them for the better, from the inside out! And Jesus becomes a true friend forever.
You read a lot in the newspaper about politics. People are very passionate about it. But politics can’t really change your life forever or satisfy your soul. Only Jesus can do that.
Here’s what I tell folks who ask how they can meet Jesus and become a Christian: “The Bible makes it as easy as A, B, C. A - ADMIT to God that you have sinned and turn from your sin to God. B - BELIEVE that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins and rose from the dead. C - CALL upon Jesus and ask him to be your Lord and Savior.”
The Bible says if you do that, you can “know that you have eternal life.” Being a Christian and going to Heaven isn’t just a “hope so.” It’s a “know so” because God said so!
Once you meet Jesus, make peace with God and settle your eternal destination, you can focus on making a difference in this world because the most important issues are finally settled.
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
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