DEFINING CHRISTIANITY There is a prevailing attitude today that there are MANY types of acceptable Christianity--so much that even the term itself is nondescriptive of reality. For all practical purposes, there is little distinction to be made between Judaism, Christianity, the religion of Islam, Buddhism, etc. While not knowing exactly why, many group all these (and others) under the general head of Christianity. Fueling this fuzzy thinking are two major false premises: 1) Doctrine doesnt matter. From being a people which formerly believed in an authoritative God who expressed His will, and must be obeyed, we have descended into a hodgepodge of relative ideas, with no real standard to which we must appeal. Despite frequent divine statements that indicate doctrine does matter (Gal 1:6-9; 2 Jno 1:9-11; 1 Jn 4:1), and warnings regarding FALSE prophets and teachers (Matt 7:15; 1 Jn 4:1; 2 Pet 2:1-4, etc.) we prefer to think that we are above all disputes and disagreements, somehow convincing ourselves that a benevolent God overlooks such and will save us in spite of it. 2) God includes all religions under Christianity. (or at least, in some sense, allows them all to be connected.) This, too, from a Biblical view, is absolutely opposite from the truth. Although the Bible does not use the term Christianity, it fully describes and demands the religion of Jesus Christ, and identifies as a CHRISTIAN that person who lives accordingly. Being a Christian means that we are disciples of JESUS, and THAT means that we follow HIS teachings. This teaching is different from ATHEISM, in that it teaches a living and active God. It is different from PAGANISM, in that it teaches the ONE true and living God. It is different from JUDAISM, in that it teaches that Jesus is the only Begotten Son of God, and that He is the Messiah and Savior of the world. It is different from DENOMINATIONALISM, in that it teaches the ONE TRUE CHURCH, with Christ as the head of it, while opposing and condemning all divisions and contentions which exist among men, and which provide the range of denominations. True Christianity is even different from WORLDLINESS, in that it demands a holy and separated life, a life of sacrifice and self-denial, which is dedicated to serving and pleasing God. One cannot be a Christian, following TRUE Christianity, as an ATHEIST, a PAGAN, a JEW, a Muslim, a SECTARIAN of any kind, or even a worldly person. The Bible plainly says, of Jesus: I am THE way, THE truth, and THE life. No man cometh to the Father, BUT BY ME.. Jno 14:6. We might wish that the gospel were more inclusive, but the fact remains as stated above. Christianity is unique, clearly defined, and only followed by a few. Can you honestly claim to be a disciple of TRUE Christianity? And, if not, upon what do you base your hope of heaven? –(acb)
Posted on: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 11:47:41 +0000
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