Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. Act 11:25-26
March 20, 2023
It is commonly reported that we are in post-Christian days because of the decline and corruption of the Christian faith. While that may have nothing to do with my affection for the things of Christ or yours, we can determine the truth of this statement by examining our environment.
Christians are those that have confessed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, are born again and follow the Lord and His ways. They live in this world, but they are not of this world (Joh 15:19). The word of God is written to help us learn how Jesus walked in the earth and how we as His disciples should now walk. But if the truth be told, we would have to say what God told the children of Israel.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. Isa 55:8
Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal? When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal? Eze 18:25-29
We see in Romans 12:2 that Paul exhorts us to “…be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Rom 12:2).” The Christian’s goal is to take on a mind like the Lord and be of one mind with other Christian brethren so as to prove the love of God to this lost world.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: Php 2:5-7
Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things,but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Rom 12:16
But if we were Christian…
If we were Christian, men would know how to treat all females and Christian women who are their wives, sisters, daughters, employees, constituents or neighbors. We saw how Jesus loved Mary and Martha and befriended them. They were precious to Him. He visited them often and shared His message with Mary because she was eager to learn. He was careful to leave His mother in the care of His beloved disciple after His crucifixion. The women walked with Him on His journey and learned at His feet along with the men. Jesus showed love for Peter’s family and healed his mother-in-law. Jesus took time with and showed love, compassion, and patience with the women as He fed them the word and they gave financial and compassionate help to His ministry. They were not pushed aside or denied access to Him, but they were given freedom to interact with Him.
But if we were Christian…
If we were Christian, we would have a Christian love for children that would be reflected in our homes, our neighborhoods and schools to influence even worldly men to treat children right. Jesus told His disciples not to forbid them to come to Him (Mt. 19:14). If Christian men would be protectors of children and be good representatives for other men then we would not have boys being violated in churches and groomed by men of power in their youth. The love of Jesus would be reflected in our homes, neighborhoods, church and the world. What we see on the surface of our society reveals what is in the heart of men.
But if we were Christian…
If we were Christian, men would take responsibility for their households, the children they produce, the women they mate with and we would have less need for orphanages, poor neighborhoods, prisons and abortions. Men would take responsibility for the society they claim leadership of and set a good example of what homes and society should be.
But if we were Christian…
If we were Christian, we would reduce the need for welfare homes, youth incarceration, nursing homes, homelessness, mental care, prisons, drug programs, overcrowded courts and alleviate school shootings. If fathers were present and responsible for their homes, households would be more balanced and whole. Good Christian families and neighbors would care for the vulnerable and influence society as Jesus taught.
But if we were Christian…
If we were Christian, we would not have a shortage of workers for our businesses because families encouraged by Christian principles would produce loving children to carry on their legacy into the next generation and immigrants would be prepared to follow suit and fill vacancies.
But if we were Christian…
If we were Christian, we would find ways of peace with our neighbors rather than ways of exploitation and greed; and then the favor of God would cause our neighbors to respect and be at peace with us as we exchange ideas and resources. We would know how to reconcile with our enemies as Jesus taught to make worldwide friends through sharing the gospel and make Christian disciples rather than war.
God wanted Prophet Ezekiel to see how the Israelites had changed the law into an offense, so He took Ezekiel to see the abominations in the land.
Eze 8:1 And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I sat in mine house, and the elders of Judah sat before me, that the hand of the Lord GOD fell there upon me… Eze 8:12 Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth. (13) He said also unto me, Turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations that they do. (14) Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the LORD’S house which was toward the north; and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz. (15) Then said he unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations than these. (16) And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD’S house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east.
The goodness of God has provided for us the power of the Holy Spirit so that we can have the benefit of His presence to help with our everyday decisions. Paul said in Romans 1 that the lost world had no excuse because God had appealed to every soul and revealed Himself to them. There certainly is no excuse for those who have seen the witness of Christ and been given the blessing of His Holy Spirit. After seeing the loss of husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, sisters, or brothers, etc., through recent disasters and the pandemic; we should all be more humbled and thankful to God. If we were Christian, we could ask God for forgiveness and He would because Jesus has already paid the price for us. If we were Christian, we would feel remorse for missing God’s will and repent. If we were Christian, we would know II Chron. 7:14.
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2Ch 7:14
If we were Christian…
We would respond to the appeal of God for His people to return to Him.
If we were Christian…
We would acknowledge that we have strayed away from God and return, and we would see this land healed and other nations come back into peace with us because of God’s favor upon us.
But if we are not Christian, then let us cry out to God to save us. Jesus has already appealed to the Father on our behalf to have mercy and forgive us. We need the mind of Christ to be Christian and we need the Holy Spirit to help us live it out every single day. It is not enough to be called a Christian but as Paul taught, we have to work out our salvation (Php 2:12). God, the Father, has been willing to accept all who come to Him through Christ. If you have never accepted Christ or been born again of the water and the Spirit, you are not His; but you can be because Christ invites all people of every ethnicity and faith to come to God through Christ’s cross and be born again from above (John 3).
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. Joh 3:7
. . . I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Joh 3:5
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Joh 3:16
In Christ you will find the power to be Christian, enjoy the favor of God, be healed and made whole. Once you become a born again Christian, you will by the power of God have what you need to help turn this world around for Christ. True Christians will make a real difference in our world. Let’s see Christ move in our homes, our community and around the world as we share His love with the lost. Let’s make school safe for children again, stop the lies and the advent of war. Let’s not just say we are Christian, but let’s be real Christians who follow Christ and affect the world for good. Jesus has paved the way for us to live in the kingdom of God.
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 1Jn 4:7
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Joh 13:35
Truth and Life Ministries of Christ with Apostle Joyce Reba Payne 