Posers

Read I John 2:1-17

“The man who says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he
commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him…Whoever
claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.”
(I John 2:4 & 6)

Thoughts… An overwhelmingly high percentage of Americans claim Christianity as their faith, yet there is not a correspondingly high number of people who are walking as Jesus did. Obviously, this points to a fatal misunderstanding of what it truly means to be Christian.

Claiming to be a Christian doesn’t make you one anymore than going through the MacDonald’s drive-thru makes you a “Happy Meal.” For too many, the only thing Christian about them is their claim. Neither their internal character nor their lifestyles match what they say they believe.

Just in the past few days, a high profile celebrity, a professional athlete, died after being shot. I listened with interest as his heartbroken family and friends were speaking of what a good person and a good Christian he was. Yet the man was shot in a home that he was sharing with his girl friend. They were not married but living together, yet claiming to be followers of Jesus Christ.

This is just one example of the kind of incongruence we now witness continually in our society. And sadly, these incongruent values are never challenged, but find wide-spread acceptance, even from people of faith.

I know I am on dangerous and unpopular ground in making a judgment about the authenticity of this man’s faith in Christ, but someone needs to point out that claiming Christ is only authenticated when we walk as Christ did. In other words, sexual purity, moral fortitude, financial integrity, humility, kindness, and a thousand other virtues must distinguish both our inner being as well as our public identity.

There ought to be a distinguishable difference if we are going to claim Christ as our Lord and Savior. Claiming him in name only will not wash with God on the day we stand before him.

Jesus said, “I you love me, you will do what I command.” That—and nothing else—qualifies one to be Christian.

Prayer… Father, I pray for the courage and wisdom to confront the incongruent faith that is rampant in our land in a way that will open hearts and minds to what it truly means to be Christian. Give me your compassion so that I will not be judgmental. And Lord, help me to walk as Jesus did so that I can speak with authority before a world that needs to see the authentic Jesus.

One More Thing… “Beside Jesus, the whole lot of us are so contemptible…But God is like Jesus, and like Jesus, He will not give up until we, too, are like Jesus.” —Frank C. Laubach