I heard a Newsmax commentator the other day mentioning how many Americans here in the United States identify as Christian. It was a large number. Nearly 70% if I remember correctly. If I’m wrong, let me know. In any case, it was a substantial number.
I can’t help wondering though what that means? They “identify” as Christians ? All kidding aside, if you are a Christian who has accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour obviously you are a Christian.
But, I seriously doubt that 70% of people in this country are born again. They just “identify” as Christians for the sake of the pollsters question because they… attend church? Figure God must be up there somewhere? Follow a loose moral code version of Christian conduct? Or, was it posed as a multiple choice question and “Christian” was the best closest answer by process of elimination ?
I have to say it. Forgive me. But, if 70% of the U.S.A. were born again there couldn’t possibly be the level of political corruption that there is in our country. Abortion never would have been declared legal because the population wouldn’t have tolerated it. And, we wouldn’t be in the mess we are in.
So what then? How many of those folks even attend church? Regularly? How many of them pray? Regularly? Now, I’m going to stick my neck out with a wild guess. Let’s say 25% of that 70% actually go to church. So what?
What I mean to say is, if you are one of those folks I’m wondering if you understand that going to church doesn’t actually make you a Christian?
What I am trying to do here is snap some people out of their wrong thinking. Have you been going to church weekly for years? But, you are only a theoretical Christian? In other words you follow the doctrine of Churchianity? You go because you were taught to go. Or, you go because your spouse or other family member has twisted your arm and you are expected to go? Maybe you honestly think that’s all you’re supposed to do? Or, maybe you think all you have to do is show up, listen to the sermon and follow that guy in the pulpit?
These are all forms of what I call “Church-ian-ity”. And, unfortunately for you your efforts have largely been wasted if you have never sincerely prayed to accept Christ.
I have this awful feeling that a huge percentage of that 25% out of the supposed 70% the news anchor mentioned according to the poll are indeed, simply engaged in “Church-ian-ity”. Or, a great deal of those 70% are only theoretical Christians. God and Christ are nothing more than an abstract idea in their minds. Jesus has little practical application in their lives.
I’m probably going to get some of you mad at me for saying this, but if you are going to a spiritually dead church led by a spiritually dead minister and you haven’t a clue who Jesus truly is; you “almost” might as well not bother! Your religion is in vain. I say ” almost” only because there’s a slim possible chance if you hear a Bible verse and actually receive it into your heart you could be affected and find Christ as your Saviour. That would require at least a measure of sincerity on your part too.
Other than that I have some rather bad news for you. You can go to church, sort of believe God might be “out there” and still be fond of those Bible “stories” you heard as a kid, but you really aren’t a Christian! There is no such thing as being “sort of” a Christian.
Revelations 3:16 KJV
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
The idea here is that in this verse, God, or Jesus is disgusted with lukewarm Christians.
Let’s read more of this in context…
Revelations 3:14-22
14And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
You may attend church and even give great sums of money to the institution of church. It means nothing with regards to your salvation. Have you ever even given any thought to salvation? As it pertains to you personally?
Or, are you just coasting along assuming that you kind of feel like a pretty good person so you should make it into heaven right?
Sorry, it just doesn’t work that way. Now, don’t blame me. Take a look at verse 20 in the 3rd chapter. That’s Jesus knocking on the door of your heart asking for a real relationship with you. Think about this. Heaven is for eternity right? If we go there it’s as a guest of Jesus. Suppose you were to open your home up to invite me in? Don’t you usually do that because you “know” me?
Grant it, there can be situations whereby people allow strangers in their home. God’s not going to do that in the case of heaven because he doesn’t want it polluted with sin. Anyway, the real point I’m trying to make here it that your version of Church-ian- ity isn’t going to cut it.
Romans 3:23 tells us we are all sinners. So, don’t be embarrassed. We are all in the same boat. John 3:16 tells us “whosoever will” can be saved because God loves us and gave His Son Jesus to cover our sins and imperfections.
Here is where I am going with this. Can I ask you to please put aside the foolishness of Church-ian-ity? Can you please give Jesus serious consideration? All those silly naive reasons you “consider” yourself a “Christian” mean absolutely nothing if you haven’t humbled yourself sincerely and asked Jesus into your heart as Lord and Saviour .
It doesn’t matter how many candles you’ve lit. Or, how much cash you dropped in the church coffers. It all depends on your true and sincere acceptance of Christ alone and nothing else. You cannot and have not earned your salvation.
What’s more is, aside from salvation; by accepting Christ you have a marvelous opportunity to draw close to Him and love Him with all your heart. Will you do that right now? Just close your eyes and say a prayer in your own words. Nothing fancy. Just admit any wrongdoing you are aware of to Jesus and anything you’ve done to offend God.
Understand you have been separated from God by sin. Ask God for faith. He will give it to you. Invite Jesus in to your heart sincerely. Be open to His voice and the Holy Spirit. It’s not a matter of your grunting or moaning. No public display is necessary, although afterwards please share your conversion with someone you trust when you are comfortable doing that. (That’s a suggestion from me to you).
Or, you can of course continue to to turn God’s stomach so that he wants to vomit you out of His mouth. I wouldn’t do that if i were you. You do have a choice. Choose wisely.
Respectfully – Brother Bill
Christ Talk 