STOP ACTING LIKE A CHRISTIAN!!
Introduction
A few days after I became a Christian, I started to act like
one. I went out and bought the “Christian” Slogan T-shirts, the
“Christian” albums, and books to help make me feel like a Christian. You
will notice that I put the word ‘Christian’ in quotes in the last
sentence. That’s because being a Christian is not about the shirts or the
so-called religious music. None of it has anything to do with being a
Christian and I’d highly recommend not buying any of it!
It's What’s on the Inside
What a lot of people don’t understand is that being a Christian is
an interior change, not an exterior, and the majority of the country’s
population who call themselves a Christian have a major exterior change
and a minimal interior change.
The T-shirts, the bumper stickers and all the rest are basically
attention getters to say: “Look at me, I’m a Christian.” The problem is
that the way they live their lives does not conform to the slogans; nor the
bible.
In 2 Cor. 5:17 the apostle
Paul writes, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old
things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. One chapter later, he tells us how to be different, Therefore “Come out from
among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I
will receive you.” (2 Corinthians 6:17)
Where to Start?
When one’s sins are washed away, the slate; that is your life, is
wiped clean and you get to begin again. Paul writes in Colossians 3:1-3, If then you were raised
with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the
right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Setting our mind on Christ every day will help us live our lives
as true Christians. Avoid the works of the flesh as Paul described in Gal.
5:19-21. You can also strive to follow what is known as the ‘Christian Graces’
as written in 2 Peter 1:5-8, But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your
faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control
perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and
to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will
be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Be Content
A change in heart is the
main focus of becoming a Christian. As Jesus states in Matt.
6:19-21, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth
and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; "but lay up for
yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where
thieves do not break in and steal. "For where your treasure is, there your
heart will be also.
If what Jesus says is true, then why do those megachurch preachers
tell people that they can live the best life that they’ve always wanted here on
Earth? To have a fancy house, expensive cars, and a fat bank account does
not make one a Christian. God provides for us, but it’s to live with
contentment not excess. (Phil. 4:11)
Watch your Words
All too often, those who act like Christians will try to converse in ‘Godspeak’. What I mean by that is they will try to stuff as many ‘bible phrases’ in their sentences. For example, “We are so blessed that God blessed us with so many blessings.” Okay, maybe that’s a little overboard, but you get the general idea.
Your everyday speech is
fine, but just remember what Jesus said in Mark 9:50, “Salt is good, but if the
salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and
have peace with one another.” Basically, when you speak,
use your words carefully and make every word count. Don’t just throw your
words around just to speak.
Paul said in Titus 2:1, But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound
doctrine. James said, So speak and so do as those who will be judged
by the law of liberty (James 2:12). And Jesus
warned us in Matthew 12:36-37, “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they
will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be
justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Conclusion
These are just a few things that will help you in your walk with
the Lord. If you’re not a true Christian, and are just acting like one,
then you need to change. For further information on how you, too, can
become a New Testament Christian, read this article; What Must I do to Be Saved?
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to post them in
the comments section below and I’ll do my best to help you.
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