Recently I have found it necessary to clarify what it is to be a true Christian because not everyone who claims to be a Christian acts like one. This can be rather confusing when you expect someone you may even respect as being a faithful child of God behaving in very unfaithful ways. An article on Truthwatch.info gives a fairly comprehensive list of things we can look for to determine a true Christian, which are:
1. Believes that Jesus is Lord
2. Accepts that the Bible is the full and final counsel of God
3. Holds to all of the essential doctrines of an evangelical faith
4. Is distressed by sin in the Church
5. Is distressed by false teaching and prophecy in the Church
6. Always tests what they hear and do, against the Word of God
7. Consciously models agape love
8. Fears God, holding Him in reverential awe
9. Is concerned to spread the 'Gospel of the Kingdom
10. Applies a Christian world view to our times
These are just 10 marks that a person has truly been 'born again'. Jesus also said that you will “know them by their fruits”. So you cannot fake being a Christian for very long before a true Christian will find you out. And if you know you are a true Christian and your are disliked or mistreated by someone else who claims to be a Christian, there is a very real possibility that they are deceived or are trying to deceive you. For a true Christian will love God with all of his heart, soul, mind and strength, and will love his neighbor as he loves himself. Praise the Lord!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
A Perspective on President Obama's Healthcare Plan & Abortion
The Holy Bible says: “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” (Rom 13:1) However, God never told us that we must agree with everything the government says. President Obama has been pushing a healthcare bill through congress which includes raising taxpayer money to fund abortions. If this bill passes, the Bible commands us to obey it, but we do not have to agree with it.
One difficulty about being a Christian in this human realm is that we are required to obey laws of the heavenly realm. Although we understand that God is the Ruler above all kings for all eternity, we still have to submit to earthly rulers who sometimes disobey God. The Lord has made it clear in the 10 commandments that we are not to murder, so we know that He is against abortion—the murder of a human fetus. Yet, although federal law even prohibits the destruction of an eagle embryo, some of our nation’s leaders are opposed to God’s law by pushing this legislation forward.
What is required here is the fruit of GENTLENESS. The Greek word for “gentleness” can also mean “meekness” or “humility.” If we want to be fruitful and bring glory to our Father in Heaven, we must display the fruit of gentleness. Fruitful Christians will rarely speak evil of President Obama or any national leader as the Bible says: “The Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the Day of Judgment, while continuing their punishment. This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slander celestial beings; yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not bring slanderous accusations against such beings in the presence of the Lord. But these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand. (2 Pet 2:9-12)
If we bear fruit of the Spirit, then God will consider us as being godly, and as the verse above says, we will be rescued from the trials that we go through which come to all of us who live on earth. However, those who do not please God will be judged and punished by God for their actions. And, as the Scriptures tell us, those who DESPISE AUTHORITY are especially guilty and deserving of punishment because they refuse to humble themselves. Therefore, although I do not agree with President Obama or with anyone who supports forcing Americans to pay for the sin of abortion, and although I am praying for this bill not to pass, I will still submit to the bill if it does pass, and pay those additional taxes. I think it is safe to leave the judgment up to God, and let Him sort it all out in the end.
One difficulty about being a Christian in this human realm is that we are required to obey laws of the heavenly realm. Although we understand that God is the Ruler above all kings for all eternity, we still have to submit to earthly rulers who sometimes disobey God. The Lord has made it clear in the 10 commandments that we are not to murder, so we know that He is against abortion—the murder of a human fetus. Yet, although federal law even prohibits the destruction of an eagle embryo, some of our nation’s leaders are opposed to God’s law by pushing this legislation forward.
What is required here is the fruit of GENTLENESS. The Greek word for “gentleness” can also mean “meekness” or “humility.” If we want to be fruitful and bring glory to our Father in Heaven, we must display the fruit of gentleness. Fruitful Christians will rarely speak evil of President Obama or any national leader as the Bible says: “The Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the Day of Judgment, while continuing their punishment. This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slander celestial beings; yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not bring slanderous accusations against such beings in the presence of the Lord. But these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand. (2 Pet 2:9-12)
If we bear fruit of the Spirit, then God will consider us as being godly, and as the verse above says, we will be rescued from the trials that we go through which come to all of us who live on earth. However, those who do not please God will be judged and punished by God for their actions. And, as the Scriptures tell us, those who DESPISE AUTHORITY are especially guilty and deserving of punishment because they refuse to humble themselves. Therefore, although I do not agree with President Obama or with anyone who supports forcing Americans to pay for the sin of abortion, and although I am praying for this bill not to pass, I will still submit to the bill if it does pass, and pay those additional taxes. I think it is safe to leave the judgment up to God, and let Him sort it all out in the end.
