Credible, Authentic Disciples

To be honest, I get a bit tired of people, especially politicians and talking heads, attacking Christians. Either we’re pushing to take over everything and have a theocracy, or we incredibly stupid for believing what we believe. The sad reality is that most of us believers are neither dangerous or ignorant. Sometimes we get off the track, but mostly we just want to serve God and enjoy the blessings he has promised, not the least, eternal life.

How do people recognize an authentic Christian? For that matter, what is a genuine Christian? Are believers political? Are they supposed to be? Who’s right and who’s wrong among the many different groups? Is it only a matter of belief, allegiance to a set of ideas, or even just claiming the name?

Jesus himself was actually pretty clear. He said:

“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Here Jesus plainly promises that those who truly stick with the teaching he gave are legitimate disciples, and the benefits are knowing the truth and being free. The Jews argued that they were not slaves, but he disagreed, saying they weren’t free but enslaved to sin, as are many today. Even worse, he accuses them of being children of Satan, not true sons of Abraham.

Many today seek to prove their legitimacy bycomes from having correct doctrine. Yet, this promise is for the disciples own encouragement, not to use as proof. Indeed, truth claims only produce arguments, and therefore they fail as a way of verifying authentic faith. Jesus provided a different way of providing credentials and credibility: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

The reality is simple. Most people are not looking for correct doctrine; most have no idea that it might even be important. In this age of advertising and sales, those who argue that they have the truth sound like cheap hucksters selling a product. Most people recognize a pitch, when they hear one, and they will listen only if they’re in the mood to “buy.” This kind of often poor salesmanship satisfies the pride of the seller more than filling any God-given purpose, much of the time.

People have needs and will listen to a credible person who offers a way for those needs to be met. One of the most compelling needs is for love, to be loved, and to be accepted despite the sin that most people recognize makes them unlovable. Our love for each other, if genuine and apparent, announces that we have what they want…not only love, but more:  “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” This familiar Beatitude reveals another mark of the genuine Christian, being recognized because of being peacemakers.

Is it any surprise then, today, that so few regard Christians favorably? Christians fight with other Christians far more than they love them. Where are the peacemakers? Every believer should be a peacemaker, a reconciler, and person inspired by love to break down the barriers that divide, but few are. As a result, we don’t live up to Jesus’ prayer in John 17, “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” Love, peace, and unity should indelibly mark every believer and every assembly of believers. Then people will know we are the genuine article, the authentic disciple, and the one true Church of Jesus Christ.

More importantly, people will listen to us. They will be curious to know why we act that way—not fighting, enjoying relationships that last, and comfortably part of what we call the family of God. We can then fulfill the suggestion in I Peter 3:15-16, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

Political activism is a separate issue for another time, but few believers want anyone but Christ himself to rule. When he does, all arguments will end. Until then, however, those who follow Christ must be careful to be what he has called us to be, not arrogant sellers of a religious product, but loving representatives of a loving Savior. Before we can convey truth, we must show love, seek peace, and live in unity. Then we will be disciple who are both genuine and believable.

(Re-posted from 2009)

What Are You Hungry For?

Do you hunger and thirst for righteousness? Unlike other of the Beatitudes, this one merely promises what you really want: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Hunger and thirst are powerful natural yearnings for what are necessary for life: food and water. In a generally prosperous and bountiful place, we rarely experience hunger and thirst at their strongest, and that makes fully comprehending this promise somewhat harder. I believe it's referring to a strength of desire that virtually blots out every other want. People don't think much about sex when they are starving. A man in a desert far from the nearest oasis, on foot with no one anywhere close, isn't likely to worry about beating his top video game rivals.  It would be a bit strange for a lady to wonder if her favorite guy thinks she is pretty while she is dying from starvation or dehydration.

I am not aware of many Christians who truly hunger and thirst for righteousness, and frankly those so desiring this probably don't talk about it. They are probably people who hate their own sinfulness and pray not just for forgiveness but for God's help in not sinning. I'm guessing they would be remarkably kind and helpful people who strive to more than avoid harm but actively work to do good. They may be very quick to forgive others while being hard on themselves for even the smallest offenses.

I was recently complimented for being “a solid example of what it looks like to model one’s life after the life of Jesus.” I was humbled. I have thought about and taught people to be “Christ-like”, but I hardly imagine myself an example. I give God all the credit for whatever Christlikeness I possess and others may see. I just checked my spelling and found this, “The definition of Christlikeness is a person who has qualities like Jesus Christ. An example of Christlikeness is a kind, forgiving, sincere, caring and accepting person.” I do hope that describes me, but true Christlikeness and hungering and thirsting for righteousness? I'm just too aware of my shortcomings! I admit I struggle both to will and to do (or act):

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

So, I am grateful for this promise and blessed hope, that God is at work in me to motivate me to serve his purposes.  To God be the glory!

That is Jesus' promise in this Beatitude. He will work in those with an earnest desire for righteousness to satisfy them. Not only do I pray for him to fulfill his promise but for more believers to want righteousness more than anything else. What an impact they would have on this broken world!

Minute Prayers

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Hebrews 13:15-16).

I received a forwarded encouragement to pray, well actually, to praise God for one minute. Written as from God himself, it noted our tendency to ignore him and said he wanted the message to circle the world “before midnight.” Who knows how long it has been passed along. Then “he” promises a blessing for doing so. For good measure “he” adds that 80% probably won't do it. Yeah, right, God practices bribery.

It notes he is always with us, which is true. “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age,” was basically his last promise as he physically left the earth physically. The note had it rather reversed, though, as he has already and continues to bless us, which is why we should praise him: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God At least a minute per day of praise isn't a bad discipline, though you might find yourself taking more than a minute, once you begin.

You might consider a second minute if you are out of the habit ofintercession for others. Pray for those you love, your neighbors and co-workers, even thatunpleasant so-and-so across the street, then pray for our nation and its leaders—for them, not against them!

In thinking about this, I stumbled across this: https://www.christianbook.com/minute-sixty-supernatural-seconds-change-life/keith-ellis/9780768408478/pd/408478. I'm not recommending it, as I've haven't read it (yet. I just put a copy on my Kindle app. I thought reading it might challenge my own discipline).

I'm not going to make any promises; God has already made them: “...do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” or “when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you”. Do you want God to look on you with his favor? Praise him, appreciate him, acknowledge his blessings, and thank him. Do good and share with others, starting with intercession. He will notice, and I've learned from experience that that is a good thing!
PS: The following link will take you to a list of 60 verses on prayer: https://dailyverses.net/prayer/niv and here's 14 verses on gratitude: https://dailyverses.net/prayer/niv.