By Russ Atmore
The definition of
what a Christian is, and who a Christian is, has largely being distorted
in our times. It is extremely difficult in discussing Christian things
with others to deal effectively with them when their concept of a
Christian is different from yours. These differences are often subtle
and small, yet they are significant and can mean the difference between
heaven and hell.
The only answer to give is
the one that the Bible gives, nothing more and nothing less. Failure to
identify with the biblical definition indicates ignorance and probable
separation from God. All Christians would acknowledge that this is the
best route to follow. The problem is that most Christians cannot give
biblical answers to their faith. This difficulty stems from a number of
reasons.
1. We don’t know our Bible
well enough
There is not one believer
that can ever confess that they have mastered the Word of God
completely. The more you study your Bible, the more you will realize the
immensity of this well that God has given to us to drink from. Mere head
knowledge is insufficient for it fails to penetrate the heart, and
produces coldness. Mere heart knowledge produces emotionalism that rides
a roller coaster in life that leaves a believer either up and down. The
combination of the two is what must be aimed for with the help of the
Holy Spirit. He is the Teacher who illumines Scripture to us. He is the
Interpreter that we must depend upon. Not knowing the Bible, will leave
you defenseless in times of trouble, in distress, in tribulation, and in
temptation. We do well to heed the injunction from Paul to Timothy.
2 Timothy 2: 15
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does
not need to be ashamed handling accurately the Word of God.”
Bible study demands time and
patience covered over with a large dose of perspiration. The rewards of
this time spent in the Bible will enable you to “handle accurately”
God’s Word. Every idle word must be accounted for in the day of
judgment, even more so how you handle the Word of God. If we are not
studying our Bibles we are weak and defenseless, and vulnerable to false
teaching. Step up your Bible study – the reward is a gift from God.
2. Our lives are not
biblical
If the first reason is
obvious and theological, then this reason is blatantly practical. The
implications of not living according to the Word of God have eternal
consequences. Living according to the Bible stems from our first reason
– we can live biblically because we know our Bibles. Knowing your Bible
will enable you to live your life according to the Bible, and thus you
will do the will of God.
Living the Christian life
without knowing the Word of God, will perhaps enable you to live a moral
life that is devoid of biblical reality and warmth. You might conform to
the ten commandments because your conscience pricks you that these laws
from God are right, and so you obey out of obligation, and not from a
heart ignited with love for God. You might also only last for a time and
in the end prove that your profession of faith was exactly that – just a
profession, with no possession of Christ.
Failure to live biblically
will allow the world to sneak in. It will allow the flesh to dominate.
Sin attacks where you have no armor. The deadly arrows of Satan will
penetrate your unprotected life. Listen to Paul again.
Ephesians 6: 11
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against
the devil’s schemes.”
Doing the things that the
world does will prove to be your undoing. Worldly Christians love to
defend their lifestyle. They want the best of both worlds. One world is
best, the other will lead you to hell’s gates and enter with you. Be
careful how you live.
3. Our witness is weak
This reason stems
from the first two. It is not possible to testify about Jesus Christ if
you are weak in the Bible, and it is not possible to testify about your
Lord if you dangle your life in the world. Your life is what others see.
It is like a open book – all of its pages are there to be read by any
and everyone. Professing Christians always point to their good works as
their defense – I do this and I do that. True and genuine good works
stem from faith - a warm vibrant biblical faith. Your faith will be warm
and vibrant when it stems from the Bible and a holy life. Until you have
these two you can say what you like – the world will just not believe
you. It won’t believe you for simple reasons; a) you offer nothing
different to what they already have; and, b) you are already like them.
Make sure your witness is a reflection of what you truly believe.
Be a Bible believing, Bible
knowing, Bible living, Bible practicing Christian – that’s the real
Christian.
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