The title "Christian" has taken on a negative connotation over the centuries, because of people and groups using christendom in a negative way, or used it to push their own ideals or objectives. So clarity is sometimes needed as to what that title means. It is said from poles and information gathering, that around 85% of Americans consider themselves to be "Christian". This is usually a lump sum of all denominations including catholic. I find that hard to believe and with a certainty can say that it can't be true. If it were true, would the U.S. be to way it is?
I know one of the biggest complaints from people, of faith or not, is the hypocrisy in religion. That is why living out what we, (I) confess to believe is so important. People judge and watch us to see if our faith is real. We are called to be witnesses and that means we are literally living advertisements for Jesus.
Acts 1:8
.....and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
NKJV
People judge Jesus and His claims by the way we live. People are asking, is this thing for real or just another religion and a bunch of rules to follow? Is there lasting change, does it fulfill a need or longing desire?
We have a great responsibility if we are going to claim to be associated with Jesus.
I love this verse.
Acts 4:13-14
13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
(NIV)
To be a believer or follower of Christ is not just accepting God's forgiveness, and going on to live our lives as we always have. There must be an inward change, and that change shows itself in the physical outward evidence in the way of "fruits of the spirit".
Rom 12:2
2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.
(NIV)
Gal 5:22-25
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
(NIV)
The next biggest sign is Love. So much is talked about love in the NT.
John 13:35
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
John 14:15
5 "If you love me, you will obey what I command
Rom 13:9-10
..and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 10 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law
Gal 5:14
14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
2 John 6
6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
(from New International Version)
At last, I leave you with this,
Eph 4:1-6 (NET)
I, therefore, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live worthily of the calling with which you have been called,2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you too were called to the one hope of your calling, 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Acts 5:38-42 (NET)
38 So in this case I say to you, stay away from these men and leave them alone, because if this plan or this undertaking originates with people, it will come to nothing, 39 but if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them, or you may even be found fighting against God.” He convinced them, 40 and they summoned the apostles and had them beaten. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them. 41 So they left the council rejoicing because they had been considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. 42 And every day both in the temple courts and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus was the Christ.
With love, R.B.
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