April 16, 2002

  • Update - Tucker is surviving, thank you for the kind thoughts and well-wishes.  But, he isn't feeling well.  I broke down and gave the kid immodium mid-morning even though it clearly says on the package not to give to kids under 6.  He meets the weight requirement so I don't think it will hurt.  He actually got relief after that, until about a half hour ago.  then (as Michael says)  Yyyeeeeewwwwwwww!


    Yesterday Grioghair posted the following comment:


    Christianity - and I'm not condemning anyone in particular, just drawing parallels - has a habit of calling people Christians...in other words, just the fact of being called Christian means that they are already perceived as being a good people...so, they never have to make any groundwork towards improving themselves. (They have, so to speak, already arrived.)


    Well spoken, sir.  I once heard Billy Graham say that one of the most desparate mission fields in the world is the pews of our Christian churches.  We live in an age where very few people know what it means to be a believer in Jesus, but a vast majority of Americans claim to be Christian.  There is a huge difference between saying and being.  I don't want to get on the kind of tirade that makes sincere believers doubt their salvation.  On the other hand, I think there is a lot of room to ask what evidence there is to support the claim that a person is a Christian. 


    According to the New Testament, Christians live a certain way, follow specific principles, and are obedient to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  Paul lists nine different tastes that you get in your mouth when you deal with a believer, "peace, love, joy, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, patience, kindness, and self-control."  No follower of Christ tastes good every minute of every day, but it is fair to ask "how am I characterized."  If my friends and family are telling me that I'm known to be unkind, harsh, judgemental, angry, argumentative, impatient . . . you get the picture. 


    James says that "faith without works is dead."  I've heard this verse taken out of context to try to make it seem as though it's necessary to earn salvation.  James doesn't say "Follow the rules faithfully enough for long enough and God will let you in," he says that people who have faith don't have to tell you, they act it out.  And people who don't behave in a way that is consistent with the teaching of Jesus, don't really have faith.   Faith without works .... Hmmm, sounds James read yesterday's blog.  LOL.  I can say all day long that I believe that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God, but unless I live my life in accordance with his teaching . . . well, in English we have a word for people like that.  We call them hypocrites. 


    In every age there has been a charge of hypocrisy levied against the Church.  I've heard it, and I'll be honest, I've said it.  Of course there are hypocrites in the Church (or at least on the rolls.)  And the good news - the gospel - is that there is always room for one more.  But the other half of the gospel is that having come to belief - you have to take the next step and work it out.  Exercise.  Grow in faith and love and hope.  I've never met a perfect Christian.  But, I've met far too many who were content with their imperfections.


    If you've been around evangelical churches you've probably heard the slogan - sitting in a church doesn't make you a Christian anymore than sitting in a garage makes you a car.  In fact there are a number of different terms the New Testament uses for people in the Church.  Believer, redeemed, beloved, family, brother, servant - the word Christian is only found 3 times in the whole New Testament (twice in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles and once in a letter that Peter wrote.) 


    Maybe that's because being a believer, acting on your faith, understanding that you are redeemed and beloved of God, taking your place in a family where you can be counted on to serve your brother . . . that's what it means to follow Jesus. 


    Well, Grioghair said a lot more, but if I'm going to demonstrate patience and self-control, I think I'd better stop for now. 

Comments (19)

  • Very good!!! I know many of that sort of "Christian."

  • AMEN!  Beautifully written!

  • That was a wonderful blog.  So often I question myself and if I'm just a "Talker" or a "walker".  I try to be a walker, but I don't know. Of course none of us are worthy at all. I'll keep the faith and try to be better.

  • I agree wholeheartedly, and think this is, sadly, why many people have the negative preconceptions of "Christians" that they do. Generally, we're so far removed from the faith and actions of those original disciples that there's really no comparison.

    Only one thing bothers me about this blog. You mention what Paul and James had to say, but I see no words from Jesus. His are the only ones I put full stock in.

  • and also... I hope Tucker's doing better

  • I, too, have patience and self control - it is a very necessary virtue in today's world.

    I have to say though, that you still do not have to be a Christian to possess the virtues that you are talking about...professing "I am a Christian" or "I am a Jew" is like wearing a badge - and, I am not in the business of believing in sin, but isn't that the sin of pride?

    If you want to do good works, the important thing is to just DO them. (If you go around professing: "I belong to such-and-such faith", then it becomes no more than an ego trip.

    That is all I am saying...

    Do good works, by all means...but don't spend time stroking egos - life is short...and the education of the human race is vital.

    I'm not singling out anyone with this blog - I am just talking in general terms...just in case I get misconstrued. (I wouldn't want that...and I am always pleased to clarify my meaning completely.)

  • I don't think anyone should call themselve a Christian unless they are actually following Christ and it always makes me a little upset for the world to call someone a Christian simply because thy belong to a church. It is more often than not an insult to Christ.

    Great post. I came to tell you I was praying for your sick child and I'm sure glad I did.

  • Another great blog~

  • That a serious bunch of thoughts. I think all it says when one is a Christian is that they follow Christ and try and be Christ-like. We all fall short of that. I kept Christians away from me for many years by judging how well they practiced their religion. Now I just try and practice mine. Jass

  • @-}-}--

  • Well put!  I know too many people, of all faiths, that say they are, but then don't follow the precepts set forth in the faith they chose.  Because you are "fogiven"(a term used where I live) does NOT mean that you can do whatever you want, contrary to what some people think.  If you talk the talk then you  should walk the walk.

    Glad Tucker is feeling better!

  • Very well stated...

  • Great blog, and great point. 

  • So glad to hear Tucker is doing better!  Great blog, as always!

  • After having worked in a church - well I just don't know if I will be back in one... there is a difference between "Christians" and CHRISTIANS... the non showy believe in God ones... God is in my heart... I do not feel a need to bring attention to that, because as it is said.. it is shown thru your actions and words

    and I am hoping Tucker is much better today C~

  • Great blog.

    When I hear the word "Christian", I think of someone who is trying to follow Christ, certainly not someone who has "arrived" or someone who is perfect.  The way I try to follow Christ is by doing what He said:

    "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15)

    Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
    <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 bgColor=#ffffbb border=0>
    <TBODY>
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    document.write(drawVerse(38,76258));
    This is the first and great commandment
    document.write(drawVerse(39,76259));
    And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

    document.write(drawVerse(40,76260));
    On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

    When we serve others, we are serving God.  Serving others doesn't happen by sitting in church.  That's just where you hopefully get your motivation to keep serving.

  • I've decided not to call myself a "Christian" any more. I don't represent Christianity well to those who watch for evidence in my life.

    Instead, I'll call myself a "Ham Sandwich". I may get more strange looks but far fewer people will look to me as an example. They'll be better off in the long run. It won't be easy though, I don't look good in mayo.

    (Maybe I should get some sleep now.)  

  • the bottom line is how you live your life.

    if you really are a follower of Christ, you don't HAVE to name yourself as one - that, to me, smacks of modern-day 'phariseeism' that just drives me up a wall.  They will know we are Christians by our love...  and I'd say (though I don't think the verse I'm thinking of does) that this does not mean how Christians love one another, but how they love those in need of Christ.

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