When a famous evangelist spoke to his very sick grandfather about the Lord on his death bed, the Grandfather’s reply was. “Don’t worry about me son, I’m a Scotch Presbyterian.” It was true, for he was born in Scotland and went to the Presbyterian Church and then came over to Argentina. The trouble was he loved his ‘Scotch’ more than he loved his ‘Presbyterian’ and died that same day from liver failure believing the popular myth about what makes a person a Christian. Here are some of the myths that people believe makes them a Christian.
GOING TO CHURCH?
Multitudes go to church for different reasons. My mother used to go to Church every Easter and Christmas and that was all, yet she wasn’t a Christian back then. Some folk only grace the steps of a Church for funerals and weddings but that doesn’t make them a Christian either. Thieves go to Church, and bats live in Churches but that doesn’t make them Christians. We can go to Church for all sorts of reasons, some social, family, food, girls or just to appease our consciences, but that doesn’t make us a Christian. We can also go there to get married or acquire a baptismal certificate but again that doesn’t make us a Christian. John Wesley went to Church for years yet he wasn’t saved at first and only gave his life to Christ after going to America to preach to the Indians.
“To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18: 9-14
BELIEVE IN GOD?
Most people believe in God. The Jews believe in God, but that doesn’t make them Christians. The Devil also believes in God but that doesn’t make him a Christian either.
“But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
James 2:18-19.
PRAYING?
All Christians should pray, but praying doesn’t make you a Christian. Look at this good man who feared God, Peter still needed to come and preach the gospel to him and get him saved.
“At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.” Acts 10:1-2
“The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man's house. He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, 'Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.' "As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said: 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?" When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, "So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life." Acts 11:12-18
President Sadat of Egypt used to put his prayer mat down 5 times a day but he never professed to being a Christian. During the month of Ramadan the Muslims fast and pray every day and attend their Mosques early each morning, lunch and after work, but they never profess to being Christians.
LIVING A GOOD LIFE?
Compared to a mass murderer you are most likely a Saint, but God’s standards are far different. Jesus lived a perfect life and compared to Him we look shoddy. There are lots of good people around but they aren’t necessarily Christians. If it’s being good that saves you then why did Jesus bother to die for all mankind on the cross?
“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.” Isaiah 64:6
READING THE BIBLE?
Most cults in the world refer to the Bible and speak highly of what is written in it. Karl Marx at 17 read John’s gospel, and the Devil knows it very well as we see in the temptation in the wilderness.
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written:” ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
Matthew 4:1-7
TALK ABOUT JESUS?
Many speak well of Jesus. In fact some say the name of Jesus more than we do - when they swear. Spiritualists also speak highly of Jesus and even Muslims regard Him as a Prophet.
BORN A CHRISTIAN?
Born into a Christian country doesn’t make you a Christian either. If you were born in a stable does that make you a donkey? Being born in an Airport doesn’t make you a Jumbo Jet? Does being born in MacDonald’s make you a hamburger?
SO WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN?
A Christian is someone who has found the way of life that is in Jesus Christ. He has been born again and is a brand new creation.
“Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
True Christianity is all about relationship. You are either in Jesus or not. You may be in a Church but the question is, are you in Jesus?
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
Matthew 7: 21-23
A Christian enjoys eternal life now.
Do you have eternal life? If you say I’m not sure then that is an indicator that things are not right between you and God. If I were to ask you if you were married and you said, “I think so.” What kind of answer is that? You either are or you aren’t. If you died today, where would you go? You should know this important truth if you are a Christian. As yourself the question. “Why should God let you into heaven?” If you say it’s because I’m a good person then that’s the wrong answer.
“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:9-10.
“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”
1 John 5:11,12,13.
A Christian belongs to the family of God.
You may say you belong to God’s family, for God is the Father of all mankind. If you think that then you’re wrong. It’s true that God is the creator of all mankind but He is not the Father of all mankind. Jesus said to the Jewish Pharisees that they were of their Father the Devil.
“Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!” John 8: 42-45
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. John 1:12-13
So what should you do?
We need to admit our sins, for sin has separated us from God.
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23
Believe in the miracle of the cross.
Jesus took the punishment of all mankind on the cross.
”He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:24-25.
We need to receive forgiveness by faith.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
Confess Jesus and Receive Him by faith.
We don’t know how a 747 Jet works yet we sit inside one and trust it to fly and take us overseas. Why can’t you trust Jesus to do what He says and get you to Heaven? You can’t inherit Christianity for God has no Grandchildren.
“That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Romans 10:9-10.
He will not cast you away.
Jesus loves everybody and will not reject you, no matter how young you are or how old, rich, poor, male or female.
“All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” John 6:37
Behold I Stand at the Door and Knock.
Jesus is here right now and wants to come into your life and live with you and in you. Why don;t you ask Him in right now.
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”
Revelation 3:20