10. Christianity is Christ Jesus the Son of God, eternal, coming into the world to save sinners who have earned for themselves God's punishment because of our neglecting God, rebelling against God, ignoring God, despising God, refusing God, walking away from God, minimizing God. You can vote for whoever you want. No matter how many good Christian actions we do, if God doesnt have our heart they mean nothing. Day in and day out, they put in hard work trying to say and do everything right, all the time. If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. In The Narcissist Next Door, author Jeffrey Kluger suggests Trump is a classic narcissist. Once they have had their full of sin and its pleasures, then they plan to offer their ragged life to God, just before they expire. Preacher: Mikey Lynch. These verses address many of the things we are often afraid of, but they also shine the light on why you should not be afraid. But Acts 3:19 states otherwise, "Repent, and be converted so that times of refreshing will come from the presence of the Lord." Do you believe that Jesus is His Son, who died on the cross to save us from our sins, and was resurrected to give us hope? Christians know they shouldn't do this, yet it still happens all the time. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Trust Him. Where the idols and other gods could never be satisfied, their stomachs never full, Gods satisfaction in the work of Christ means that the person purchased out of condemnation by Christs work is now free! Unless otherwise noted, all quotations are from the New King James Version, copyright 1994 When my mother was 12, and Catholic, she lost her father in a car accident. 9. 1 Timothy 3). Yes. There are certainly great things you can do as a Christian that will flourish your relationship with Christ. He has recognized that he, in defiance of Gods plainly revealed law, has given his life over to worshiping and loving things other than Godthings like career, family, the stuff money can buy, the opinions of other people, the honor of his family and community, the favor of the so-called gods of other religions, the spirits of this world, or even the good things a person can do. For a while, his opponents have seemed willing to ignore Trump, perhaps as a disciplined tact to suffocate his bloviations of the oxygen they need to burn. Their appetites are never satisfied in this life. 7. "I am a good, moral person. "But I'm not a Christian." This is Gods promise and warning. Christ has assuaged the wrath of God, and the Christian is now declared righteous before God, called to a life of righteousness, and lives in the hope of one day appearing before his majesty in heaven. But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous." He didnt say if I am afraid, he said when I am afraid. 1. And God is eternal pleasure: "In your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16:11). In the same way that we cannot believe both the Bible and the Book of Mormon, we cannot believe the Bible and many traditions that are not grounded in Scripture but actually contradict it. He knows he has not yet arrived. Hes still fallen and needs the accountability and instruction of that local body of people called the church. The only real hope of saving your loved ones is to first become a Christian, and then you can reach out to them with the gospel. Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest (Joshua 1:9, KJV). However, the next thing David says is equally important. This can only be accomplished by trusting in the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. And, to be frank, it is not our central concern to do so. The sermon clip is here: https://vimeo.com/195404294. 6. "I do not know enough." He considers Jesus life of perfect submission to the will and words of the Father and seeks to be like his Savior. Committing to a local body is the natural outcomeit confirms what Christ has done. Do you remember the first story in the Bible after Adam and Eves fall and banishment from the garden? True peace comes from a true relationship with Christ. Not only that, its hard to stick with just one metaphor for the church because the New Testament uses so many of them: a family and a fellowship, a body and a bride, a people and a temple, a lady and her children. The answer lies in understanding why should we be not afraid? Scripture is the final authority, but Catholicism promotes submission to the teachings of the Pope, bishops, and traditions that often contradict Scripture. Christians still do it, unbelievers do it. He is the author ofThe Pursuit of Purpose which will help you understand how God leads you into his will. You do want eternal pleasure. Remember that no one is perfect, so you should never try to be. 1 Peter 2:5). If your adoptive parents are named Smith, you now attend the Smith family dinners with the parents and all the children. He would continue, Yet, because of your great promises and mercy, I depend on the blood of Jesus Christ shed as a substitute for me, paying my moral debt, satisfying your holy and righteous requirements, and removing your wrath against sin!. Let the hope and promises of Gods word become your source of comfort and confidence. Curses and divination do not hold sway against Gods people (Numbers 23:23). Hell is eternal pain, and we're all going there without believing in Jesus. Beliefnet is a lifestyle website providing feature editorial content around the topics of inspiration, spirituality, health, wellness, love and family, news and entertainment. "I'm not ready yet. The priests in the Old Testament were encouraged to marry, but Catholicism encourages celibacy. Out of hell? Shane Idleman is the founder and lead pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship in Lancaster, California, just North of Los Angeles. or "I don't want people to know about how crappy of a Christian I am?" Going to class, work, or practice at a Christian college is a lot like going to church in that it's a chance for fellowship, growth, and discussions with all kinds of people. 11. (Matthew 5: 22). When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Trump has forgotten the source of all wealth, the Creator of all abundance, and instead deifies the gifts of God rather than God himself. 6:118; 8:514; James 2:1415). God is careful to leave no stone unturned, and for . What questions are answered or raised with the Rangers trade for LHP Aroldis Chapman? The redemption of the Christian is based on grace and faith, not one's own righteousness ( Romans 3:21-28 ). The Bible says: "As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe . A Christian is someone who, first and foremost, has been forgiven of his sin and been reconciled to God the Father through Jesus Christ. So the first reason is the negative one: all those horrible things that will come upon us if we continue to rebel against God won't come upon us if we trust in Christ who offers himself to us as a way of escape. I know you can all do math, but that leaves 17 percent that do not consider themselves to be Christians. I desire peace with all men, but the Bible also encourages me to boldly and confidently present a scriptural basis for truth. Lets begin by looking at some of the encouragements God gives us to remind us we dont have to be afraid. John 14:6). Sometimes theologians refer to a distinction between the universal church (all Christians everywhere throughout history) and the local church (those people who meet down the street from you to hear the Word preached and to practice baptism and the Lords Supper). Jesus was the only human who ever lived that was able to be sinless, and we will not be able to replicate that. 10:2327). One of the reasons we dont have to be afraid is because God has given us promises. Shane's sermons, articles, books, and radio program can all be found at, Colorado can't punish Christian website designer: Supreme Court, 8 lesser-known candidates running for president in 2024, Supreme Court vacates ruling against Christian bakers punished for not making lesbian wedding cake, The extraordinary meaning of July 4th for America and the world. Really, we dont. The things you go through in life are a part of His plan for your bigger and brighter future. Historical Christianity teaches that Mary was highly favored, but she does not play a role in redemption, nor should we pray to her. As I said at the beginning, fear is an emotion. And they need him. . Still Living in a Shutdown World: Has the Church Gone AWOL? But the Bible says that Christ is an all sufficient Savior He paid the full price on the cross. While the Bible does call on us to imitate Jesus, the truth is we can never be perfect like Him. Rather than invest in companies who provide goods and services which contribute to the prosperity of the Americans he seeks to lead, he has invested heavily in casino gambling. the purpose of proclaiming the gospel through publishing 1. . 7. That is astounding to me because of the number of orphans in the country (and world), and the homeless, the hungry, the prisoners; hurting people. We have been given a different mandate. And they provoke Gods just wrath over the next life, a death and a judgment the Christian has already tasted a bit of (mercifully) in this worlds miseries. It is the most powerful public expression of private values that most of us will ever harness. The Bible says: "But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first." Americans fears are existential and not without warrant. 2. The first produces the second, and the second proves the first. Our state before God, if authentic, will translate into our daily decisions, even if the process is slow and full of missteps. To address the other concern, if you feel like a crappy Christian, don't sweat it. While some fears are completely rational, there are times fear can arise suddenly with no logic or reason attached to it. We should prize conversion and spiritual growth over church structure. And more precisely, our consciences demand that we address voters not primarily as scientists but as citizens and as people of faith. Together we can display the gospel of Jesus Christ in a way we just cant by ourselves. Where's the challenge? But for the Christian, this freedom is always constrained. If anything, you learn to put your education into perspective, considering how you can shape the world with your education and faith. Gods grace means that all of your mistakes now serve a greater purpose later, instead of serving shame. Here are 10 reasons, centered around ideas central to the Christian: character, relationships and values: The Bible says: "As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience." Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14:27). He told us in this world you will have trouble. The standard to which God calls us should not be judged by a few bad apples. But for Christians, an unrepentant lack of compassion suggests that the man does not seek to please God or lead according to His will. 2:1416). So why should you want want to be a Christian? There Are No Unimportant Parts of the Church. Yet nobody does it. In God, whose word I praise in God I trust and am not afraid. However, the Lord is also just, and He will one day return unexpectedly, as a "thief in the night" (I Thessalonians 5:1-3). 4. We live in a society where anytime someone gives us something, we feel that we owe them in return. If you have no interest in actually committing yourself to an actual group of gospel-believing, Bible-teaching Christians, you might question whether you belong to the body of Christ at all! And you cant take credit for this; it is a gift from God. You would be as foolish to say, Im not a part of the family, as you would be to cut off your own hand or nose. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. The number one reason you dont need to be afraid is because Gods presence goes with you. To be fair, though, here is one of Trumps few but fairly specific plans for helping the disadvantaged: Teenage mothers [shouldnt] get public assistance unless they jump through some pretty small hoops. Although sins are forgiven periodically through confession and penance, the punishment still remains. Yes. The natural question to ask about being afraid is what should you do when this emotion of fear is trying to overtake you? One of the qualifications of a leader is to be the husband of one wife and to lead his home well. "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9). Upon that plea to be declared righteous in Christ, the Christian is someone who has discovered the beginning of freedom from sins enslavement. 10 reasons you cant be a Christian and vote for Donald Trump, Christopher Pieper, Ph.D., is lecturer in the Department of Sociology at Baylor University and the author of ", Dallas makes street patio seating program for restaurants permanent, Free agent Kyrie Irving agrees to 3-year deal with Dallas Mavericks. Many Christians spend their days trying to be the perfect Christian. These tools are only available to Christians (Ephesians 1:3). Private = expensive. 8. And the Great Commission should be uppermost in our minds, but should we pit church structure and conversion against one another? I think that's a pretty good reason for wanting to be a Christian. If that's what you mean by "churchy", you've got . You will become frustrated, angry, and feel defeated. "God is merciful. I have sinned and owe you a debt that I cannot pay back. But he wouldnt stop there. There is nothing additional to work for. Some have said the term fear not or be not afraid appears in the Bible 365 times, one for each day of the year. All rights reserved, Greenville University is authorized to operate as a postsecondary educational institution by the Illinois Board of Higher Education, When making the decision to attend a Christian college, a multitude of thoughts flooded through my head. Thousands of people were cheering. Not only is this pattern of dishonesty troubling for religious believers, it should disturb any citizen contemplating a vote for the most powerful office on the planet. Now youre part of the whole family of God. And to trust in Jesus' work on our behalf, when he died in our place, delivers us from the wrath to come. 5. Crossway is a not-for-profit Christian ministry that exists solely for Yet we are still called to actively be righteous. A religious liberty newsletter that is a must-read for people of faith. While lifestyle statements feel restrictive, they provide an environment where students feel safe. Isnt that good news? Yet thats not all! The one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family (Heb. Which is why he reminds us so often in Scripture to be not afraid. By Christopher Pieper| and Matt Henderson|. Judgment zone. The emotion of fear can lead you in many different directions. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. Besides, would you rather spend a few years, putting up with a few hypocrites in church, or spend eternity with all of them in hell? (Matthew 19:21). As we gather to worship God and exercise love and good deeds toward one another, we demonstrate in real life, you might say, the fact that God has reconciled us to himself and to one another. "What if I am Catholic?" So, how does God work redemptively between siblings, and how might parents do their part to promote peace. In this episode of the podcast, we discuss the fundamental flaws of what it means to be a "Christian" in today's world. Second, a Christian is someone who, by virtue of his reconciliation with God, has been reconciled to Gods people. Yes. This is not a crazy thought, but it is crucial to understand that college is going to cost no matter where you go. We believe in apostolic succession in that we believe what the first Apostles believed. Voting, often thought of as a mere civic duty, is in this light, also a sacred act. If that's what you mean by "churchy", you've got us pegged! What Happens When Christians Don't Know Ecclesiology? Don't worry, you won't be shortchanged in your experience! However, you should know that choosing not to be a Christian will produce a life that is even harder (Matthew 11:28-30). 9. He knows our true intentions and that is all that matters. Day in and day out, they put in hard work trying to say and do everything right, all the time. 4 Bible verses for weary Christian parents, Ask Chuck: Climbing out of a financial dark hole, No, women cannot be pastors. Lion lying down with the lamb? But Christians are called to love without fear. Gods faithfulness is based on the firm value of his name, not the fickle measure of our obedience (1 Samuel 12:2022). God would not condemn me." On the issues of poverty, hunger, and oppression, topics everyone from Jesus to Jeremiah cared a great deal about, Trump is deafeningly silent. Have not I commanded thee? We can, with true humility and firm confidence, call our people to repent when they are sinning, assure them of Gods care when they are hurting, promise them eternal riches when they are dyingall on the authority of Gods most precious word. NEWS FLASH: not everyone agrees with everyone. My whole life Ive been greedy, greedy, greedy, Trump said at recent rally. Here are the top 10 reasons why some people delay in becoming a Christian, along with a brief response: 10. He speaks about his daughter in a disrespectful and sexualized way. Terrors will come, some of us will die, but not a hair of our heads will perish (Luke 21:1011, 18). 4. Yes. You are perfect in Gods eye just the way you are. The church is the "pillar and support of the truth" (1 Tim. (Eph. One thing we can say for certain is God knows us. Yes. Perhaps the most important reason for becoming a Christian would be so that you escape the righteous judgment of God and spend eternity with Him. Answer (1 of 4): Ephesians 4:1-7 is one of several Biblical passages that address your question. Some might say that running for office encourages this sort of thing. Forcing them to blaspheme their own Savior through slow and painful torture? . John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. Transferring is difficult. The Bible does not teach transubstantiation the belief that the bread and wine used in communion physically change into the actual flesh and blood of Jesus as an ongoing sacrifice. Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone by making a one-time donation today. If not, why not? 6. - What have you done? 2. We've all felt that way at some point. It should be no surprise, then, that Jesus said that all the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments: love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind and love your neighbor as yourself (see Matt. "A lot of Christians are hypocrites." So if you want full pleasuresthat is, 100%, not 85% or 99%and eternal pleasuresnot just 80 years, but 80 ages of yearsthen become a Christian. Likewise, please do not be deceived by a vague conception of the universal church to which you belong if youre not pursuing that life together with an actual church. There is a myth floating around that non-Christians can'tgo to Christian schools. So a Christian is someone who, first of all, has been reconciled to God in Christ. 1. I am still trying to verify if that is true, but whether it is or isnt this one truth remains. 3. It is also a callous and hostile way to characterize people, some of whom are our brothers and sisters in Christ, all of whom are Gods children. The Catholic doctrines of "Perpetual Virginity" and "Immaculate Conception," teach that Mary maintained her virginity and was conceived without sin. The Bible says: "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. . And you do this not because you decided to play the role of Smith, but because someone went to the orphanage and said, You will be a Smith. On that day, you became the child of someone and the sibling of others. Do you see it? God is never taken off guard (Psalm 121:4). 6. Why will you not do what you know to be right? The Bible says: "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' Matt Henderson is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Sociology at Baylor University, where he specializes in religion, family, and health. of Lets dig a little deeper into why we should be not afraid. We demonstrate to the world that we have been changed, not primarily because we memorize Bible verses, pray before meals, tithe a portion of our income, and listen to Christian radio stations, but because we increasingly show a willingness to put up with, to forgive, and even to love a bunch of fellow sinners. To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Where Adam tried to push God off the throne and make himself god, the Christian rejoices that Christ is upon the throne. Peter taught the priesthood of all believers (cf. Purged in purgatory. You should become a Christian if you have the faith to believe and the willingness to surrender your life and future to the One who knows you best ( Psalm 139:13-16 ). Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. If youre an orphan, you dont adopt parents; they adopt you. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Everybody has done this. Please feel free to send the author of this article any questions, concerns, or feedback that you may have. On many campaign issues, he appears to have recently found religion but apparently not this one. The Bible says: "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. God is careful to leave no stone unturned, and for this reason when you walk with him, you can walk in confidence and not be afraid. He has made the pursuit of material wealth an idol and worshipped it his entire life. Nike returns to NorthPark as lululemon makes plans, Rangers-Astros will be biggest series in Globe Life Fields history, Supreme Courts student debt ruling gives US consumers another headwind. Many Christians are hypocrites. There cannot be two absolute authorities. 3:15) it comes under the truth, it's not equal to it. Salvation by works. (II Thessalonians 1:7-8). Much has been made of his companies' multiple bankruptcies; more damning, though, is the fact that when his mortgage company failed, he denied responsibility, saying that he only let the company use his name. One thing you must be careful about is judging your emotions as sinful, right, or wrong. The purpose of communion is to examine our lives and remember Christ's death. For the first time ever, the Christian is free to turn his back on sin, not just to replace it slavishly with yet another sin but with the Holy Spiritgiven desire for Jesus Christ himself and for Christs rule in his life. 9. We all know people, including ourselves, who were paralyzed in one way, shape, or form because they were afraid. God wants us to grow our relationship with Him and give our heart to Him. Turning a blind eye only makes condemnation inevitable (Romans 11:7-10). The way we meet the promise of trouble is with the promise of his peace and his presence. without ending up in a conversation about the church; at least, in the Bible it is. Trying to be perfect like Jesus is simply impossible for the average human, and you will drive yourself crazy trying to attain perfection. You share a bedroom at night with the Smith siblings. Have you persecuted Christians? Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Many might have even acknowledged Him as Lord (Matthew 7:21). I have overcome the world (John 16:33). 1:9), he also called you into fellowship with the whole family (1 Cor. God doesnt want us to stress about being a good Christian, He instead wants us to stay focused on Him and give Him our hearts. Hell is eternal pain, and we're all going there without believing in Jesus. This will only take you further away from Christ! Initially their fear was not sin. David gives us the answer. His business dealings do not suggest a willingness to place the fortunes of others ahead of his own, nor the integrity to accept responsibility. The purpose of our conversation was to discuss the role of tradition in light of Scripture. However, it is what they did after this that led them to sin. Therefore we're all under his just judgment and we're going to be sentenced one day to a lake of fire called the second death or hell. - Being a Christian is hard work. The bonds you form at a small, Christian university and the memories you make at events last a lifetime. The Church is morally compromised. Sermon Length (minutes): 31:35. He has also recognized that these idols are doubly damning masters. (Colossians 3:8). No one comes to the Father except through Him (cf. The Bible says: "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. How do you know this is not your last chance before you either die or your conscience becomes so hardened that it can no longer be pricked by the truth? This happens when a person repents of his sins and puts his faith in the perfect life, substitutionary death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. You will reap what you sow. This book will teach you how to put the pieces together so you can live a victorious Christian life and finally become the man or woman of God that you truly desire to be. 13. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6). 7 Short but Mighty Lessons from the Book of James, When it Comes to Miracles, God Does it His Way. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. What Is Biblical Discipline, and How Can We Grow This Virtue? This again points to the reality that we will have moments of fear in life. In reality, the race is not to become a Christian before you die, but to repent before your heart becomes hardened through the deceitfulness of sin, unable to hear the word and repent (Hebrews 3:13; Luke 8:4-15). Many remain dependent on the Church to relieve suffering in purgatory. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. In other words, a Christian is someone who has reached the end of himself and his own moral resources. Did he die in a state of sin without confession and penance? gospel-centered, Bible-centered content. He is enamored with "greatness" and ego, but has no concern for "goodness" or service. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Ephesians 2:8-9 says God saved you by His grace when you believed. I attended a Catholic High School and loved the faculty. Year Preached: 2019. The church gives a visual presentation of the gospel when we forgive one another as Christ has forgiven us, when we commit to one another as Christ has committed to us, and when we lay down our lives for one another as Christ laid down his life for us. 2. The Spirit gives exactly the right gifts in exactly the right measure at exactly the right time to exactly the right people for the well-being of the local church. He does not attempt to love his enemies, but instead cultivates antagonism. Here is a truth you are going to face issues in this life. Is it sinful or wrong to be afraid? Or pick the pains that you don't like: loneliness, etc. In fact, we become Christians because we recognize that we are not good. To learn more about his ministry please visit clarencehaynes.com. The relationship between our membership in the universal church and our membership in the local church is a lot like the relationship between the righteousness God gives us through faith and the actual practice of righteousness in our daily lives. This article is adapted from What Is a Healthy Church?