To often we equate Christianity with a set of tasks, behavioral traits, events and beliefs. “Christianity” has become a label which can be prescribed when a person, or even more shockingly, a thing fulfills a given set of requirements. These requirements for people can include things such as church attendance, Bible knowledge, the abstinence from certain “no-no” words and activities, and whether or not one shared that “share for heaven; ignore for hell” picture on facebook. Even more ridiculous then our labeling of humans is our labeling of media. In the case of music, for example, many in our society label music as “Christian” if it meets a list of criteria including the religious beliefs of the musicians involved, the record label, and whether or not alcohol is sold at their shows.
For a group of people claiming to be “saved” not by any work of their own, this labeling seems extraordinarily peculiar. In a sense, the modern church has created a highly complex subculture. Often, it seems that in order for one to fit into this culture one must conform to a set of rules or be judged as someone in need of converting or, at very least, a “bad Christian” in need of prayer.
Looking at the words of Jesus Christ, who, for those of you who seem to have forgotten, is the figure on whom the entire religion of Christianity is based, one notices a surprising, from the standpoint of one living in modern church culture, lack of lists and criteria for defining Christ’s followers. It is almost as if Jesus didn’t want his disciples (those who follow him) to validate or earn their own salvation or membership in his body.
Perhaps we should examine the wisdom of the teacher himself as found in the writings of some of his earliest followers.
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” - John 3:17-21
“And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” - Mark 10:17-27
Reading these verses it becomes very hard to judge the others based on outside observation. In fact, in the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel, the writer records God’s words to Samuel forbidding this very thing.
“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” - 1 Samuel 16:7
Granted, Jesus does provide an image of how a follower should live, but that picture looks a lot different then the subculture we have created in our heads and churches.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” - Matthew 5:3-10
This blog isn’t meant to be a probing finger into the eye of another (check out Matthew 7:3 for that reference). Instead this blog is a passionate plea for rest. Jesus Christ did not call us to a demanding subculture with a daily checklist of duties and a mission statement. Instead, he called us to rest in him because salvation is impossible. Only through God can it be and has it been accomplished. Being a Christian does not require the approval of God or man. It simply requires Christ.
So stop measuring the “Christianity” of yourself and others. Believing (which results in following) in Christ is the only standard by which we are judged.
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