So I must say from the beginning that my mind has been going on this idea for a while now. It most likely will come out a little more harshly than hoped as it may seem like it has come from nowhere but here we go...
(Disclaimer: Many who read this truly love Jesus and do their best to live for Him. This is not for you. Its for the rest of you.)
I wonder sometimes how in the world everyone I know calls themselves a Christian yet very few of them care about Jesus, His people (the church), or those who don't know Jesus yet. They show no concern for his laws, feel no remorse for their sins, and have no desire to study God's Word.
They make silly statements like "God forgives but I don't" (Matt. 6:14-15) or "God doesn't look at the bad I do but only the good" (Isaiah 64:6). They party and live like hell and then show up on Sunday at church and believe they have done their "Christian duty".
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!
I fully believe that in my church that at least half would go to hell if they died today. And that is the people who go to church! What about those who just claim to be a Christian? "Their parents were Christians or they walked an aisle when they were little. That works doesn't it?" NO.
1 John 3:9 "No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been borne of God."
In Luke 6:44 Jesus says that we are judged by the fruit of our lives meaning that if we really loved Jesus we would live like Jesus. But if we really love to sin then we will keep on sinning. That's why Jesus said in Matthew 6:24 that "No one can serve two masters".
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO LOVE JESUS AND LOVE SIN.
I am not talking about perfect... but people who live with a blatant disregard for Jesus and His standards for living CANNOT be saved. There must be something in them (THE HOLY SPIRIT) that convicts when they sin.
You may ask, "Well how do you know that Scott?" Because when I sin I feel the Holy Spirit beating me up and putting my stomach in knots until I make it right with God and whoever I offended. The same Holy Spirit that lives in me lives in every believer of Jesus Christ.
We claim Christianity as a national religion of some sort. "I was born in America. Of course I am a Christian." Christianity is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that has nothing to do with America. Too many people have been fooled with arrogance and pride that Satan has spoonfed them for so long that they don't even recognize their need for a Savior and have no brokenness over their sin. We better wake up! If you call yourself a Christian (follower of Jesus Christ) then live like Him. Quit living like a baby not knowing what is right and wrong. Grow up in your faith and get it together. (Hebrews 5:11-6:3)
I love the Lord. I love His people. I want people to see the most accurate picture of Jesus Christ as they possibly can. That depends on us to be "Christ's ambassadors" (2 Cor. 5:20). I represent Jesus to this world. You represent Jesus to this world. It is our privilege to do that.
Simply put, if you and I are not interested in representing Jesus Christ to this world and to one another then we have no business calling ourselves followers of Jesus.
I am not speaking as one who has figured it out... I just know we (including me) have got to do better.
Philippians 3:12 "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus."
