Namesake Christians.
The fact that there are people in the world who call themselves Christian but are not born again has become so common that they are given a name. Nominal or Namesake. Meaning that if someone were to ask what religion they belong to or what church they go to, they have an answer and sadly Christian is the one many people cling to without knowing what it really means to Follow Christ.
If being Christian is an easy thing for you, then you probably are not Christian.
The Bible says we are to carry our cross, deny ourselves, and follow him, to crucify our sinful desires DAILY.
Carrying a cross is not an easy thing, and deny yourself is definitely not easy. Deny yourself means this-
Naturally we are sinners.
Naturally we desire sinful things- our eyes, ears, emotions are all prone to what is detestable in the Lord's sight. But God asks us to Deny ourselves of those things.
That means that if there is a popular show on TV but it shows explicit sex, foul language, or anything you would not watch with, lets say your parents, next to you- then you don't watch it. That means that if there's music on the radio describing lust, drugs, alcohol, or anything that you know is not of God- then you don't watch it.
And the list goes on and on.
Basically Christianity- having a Relationship with God- is a lifestyle. It is a continuous process of ripping apart your old self- bit by bit. Cracking and pulling off every dead and contaminating part of yourself and growing in righteousness.
For we are no longer slaves to sin but slaves to righteousness.
If you call yourself a Christian but you curse, if you call yourself a christian but you get drunk regularly, if you call yourself a Christian but you don't love Christ & your goal is not to become like him- then you have a rude awakening before you. But 1 John 1:9 says
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
Christianity is not a name, it is not a title, it is not a religion
Christianity is loving Christ, loving his sheep, and becoming like him.
2 comments:
"It is a continuous process of ripping apart your old self- bit by bit. Cracking and pulling off every dead and contaminating part of yourself and growing in righteousness. " ...it's painful but its worth the effort! Thanks for the Word. Really needed to hear that today!!
hope your doing good Ashley! love you!
--Sheba
HI Sheba! I am always so grateful for your comments, they are an immense encouragement. Praying for you and the family, hope all is well :) love you too!
Ashley
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