We are aliens in this world. In many ways our life is simply a trial, leading towards our ultimate verdict, sanctification or damnation.
We all grow up hearing that everyone who dies is now in "a better place," and for those who have lived lives in Christ, that is true. They are essentially back in the place they were meant to be all along. The Earth was originally meant to be our home, but once sin entered the world, things changed.
During Christ's time here, while fulfilling prophesies and ultimately dying so that we may have forgiveness of sin, he mentions that he will be going to prepare a place for us. He tells us that if it were not so, He basically wouldn't have bothered telling us. This is pretty good indication (this and his infallible nature) that He is telling the truth. There is a place prepared for us. After this life, after the resurrection of all peoples from all eras, backgrounds, cultures, etc... Every human who ever lived will stand before Christ in judgment.
If this is not something that gives cause for some extended thought, then I would say already that a change in thinking needs to occur.
Christians understand that this judgement will not be to determine their entrance into eternal existence in the presence of God, they have that assured through the blood of Christ. Christians rather will have their works put to the test. After becoming Christians, the works and "fruit" produced, will either withstand the trial as by fire, or burn up. For those whose works survive, it is counted to them for reward. Those who were Christians but did nothing to further the kingdom, will have to stand by watching everyone else receiving specific praise. They will still be in the presence of God eternally, but their position in Heaven will likely be less authoritative.
Paul writes that he desires above all to remain faithful, fight the good fight, and receive his eternal reward. He indicates this should be the desire of all Christians. We are saved by faith, not of works, but in salvation we become a new creation, in-dwelt by the Holy Spirit of God which propels us to do good things.
In a much more tragic note, those who never chose to follow Christ or accepted salvation from him, will be judged on their eternal resting place. They will be condemned, not praised. And while they will still receive judgment of their works, they will be eternally separate from the presence of God.
Imagine that separation for a moment. Look around at everything you see. Every person, place, things is under God's common grace. The Lord causes the rain to fall on the just and the unjust. We are all under common grace. Even in the darkest alley of the darkest part of town, God's presence exists. Can you imagine what it would be like if it didn't? We take for granted this common grace and knowledge that even now, as sinners, God is with us. This is our test. IF we pass, we are ushered into the Heavenly kingdom. Failure will come by choice. And those who choose to fail by ignoring God's grace and salvation through belief in His one and only Son, will have selected their own fate. God does not send people to Hell, we send ourselves.
Christianity is not always supposed to be a cake walk. Grace preachers will focus on the favor of God, and blessings of God. This is all well and good, but I think it is more helpful to those who have already come to know Christ. The favor of God is merited by our actions, and if we are continuing in sin, why would we expect God to bless that sin. It is only after salvation and true repentance that we could even begin to expect that. Blessings before that time are under common grace, not saving grace.
But, saving grace does not set us up for a life of relaxation. Rather, if we look to the early church for example, it sets us up for a tough life. Christians especially are under constant attack from the enemy, and need to be aware that their actions, much like those unsaved, can still have drastic consequences.
Take the life of Peter, for example. Here is a guy who had the privilege of walking with Jesus, was counted as his chief disciple, led thousands to salvation at Pentecost, and yet was still subject to the effects of sin.
Multiple times, Jesus rebukes Peter. Peter denies Christ, to the point of cursing out loud, 3 times to a servant girl. Even after His resurrection, Jesus has to confront Peter and ask, "Do you love me?" He was really a bit of a screwup.
How great is that?? The chief disciple was a screwup, just like you and me and everyone else who has ever walked this earth. The greatest disciple, who wrote two powerful books of the Bible (1 & 2 Peter), preached at Pentecost, and walked with Jesus was subject to the SAME types of sin and temptation as us. Yet in the end, he died a martyrs death for not denying Christ as Lord. He said he was not worthy to even be crucified in the same way as Christ, and opted instead to be crucified upside down. This same Peter who had denied his relationship to Christ, died a martyrs death for Christ. If Jesus wasn't who He said He was, why would he have bothered. Peter had already experienced what it was like to deny Jesus. If Christ was not God incarnate and messiah, Peter could have easily gone back to his old life. Instead, he was influential in the early church, and eventually died for his beliefs in a pretty terrible way.
*THAT IS CHRISTIANITY*
Too many of us Christians nowadays would just as soon deny our involvement with Christ or deny our association with Christianity. Why do we do this? The answer is simple.
We are people pleasers, seekers of the approval of Man, when we should be seeking the approval of God. Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church breaks down 5 important types of Christianity that we need to be aware of. Keep in mind, 4 of the 5 are NOT how we should be. I have elaborated on these a bit.
Privatized Christians- More than likely, most of you will fall into this category, as I have many times in my life
-These Christians tend to just "Shut up" around any discussion of Christianity in a negative light
-They could be in a crowd of family or friends, and if the subject of Christianity comes up, they act as if they know nothing of those "Jesus Freaks."
-They play along, and follow the crowd seeking man's approval
-Worst of all, they refuse to WITNESS to the faith, for fear of rejection from the world.
I was this type while working at DCI. I wanted to stand up for my faith, but so much negativity directed at it, and myself, caused me to just keep quiet. When I did speak up, it was inconsistent with previous behavior and just gave the enemy that much more ammo.
*DO NOT BE THIS TYPE*
2)Fighting Christians- This is another all too common type of Christian in our society today. Now keep in mind, these are still people claiming to be Christian--but certainly not living the way we are called to live--seeking to please Christ
-Always looking for a spiritual debate
-Always arguing about the faith, and at times getting angry at others
-Politicians that claim Christianity often fall into this category
As a result, these Christians are the perpetuators of the negative stereotype Christianity has developed in recent years.
-They are the reason the media hates us, and calls us hypocrites
-We preach one message, and then scream and fight those who disagree, rather than engaging in meaningful discussion--in an attempt to lead them to Christ
-I get the impression these types would rather just see their enemies go to Hell than try to convert them
3)Quitter Christians- Another very common thing these days is those who will have a "salvation experience" only to recant and deny the faith later
-Very common among college students who, once on their own, are exposed to worldly philosophies that paint Christianity as "the non-educated man's view."
-Can lead easily to agnosticism, where once someone believed, but something shook the belief and they quit being a "full Christian" and prefer to stay on the fence
-Could just be flat out quitting the faith, never to return
4) Liberal Christians- I'm sure this one will get under some people's skin, but if you disagree, check scripture for the final word (though this is usually not the Liberal Christian's method)
-Love is their religion, though they claim Jesus, they see him as an embodiment of Love and good feelings, not as a savior
-All other religions are ok if that's what they want to believe, because Jesus couldn't be the only way
-They focus on Christ's "Good teacher" persona and not his "God incarnate savior" persona, though if asked they will claim Christianity as their faith
-This leads to dangerous heresies such as Universalism and Unitarianism (denial of Hell and denial of trinity respectively)
-Foundational doctrines of the faith are pushed aside for a more "Tolerant" view
-Very good at pulling out certain scriptures (out of context) and quoting them to keep everyone getting along with one another
-Liberal on views of homosexuality, abortion, sex before marriage and other types of sin
-"I believe in Christ, but I think other people have a right to their opinion, and surely a loving God wouldn't send them to Hell.....(common statement)"
PLEASE DO NOT BE THIS ONE....
5) Missionary Christians- This is not just Christians who are missionaries, but rather Christians, Bible/Jesus believing, who seek to witness to the world, as Christ intended.
-Not afraid of their faith and wear it openly
-Do not care what MAN thinks as what CHRIST thinks is more important
-Fully trust in Christ for salvation, and would not recant even in the face of death or ridicule
-Doctrine and beliefs based fully on scripture in its full context
-Term "missionary Christian" because we are "missionaries" in this world, as it is not our final home
-While here, like Paul and Peter, seek to bring as many to faith in Christ and salvation as possible
This final type is what we should strive to be. Christ has called Christians to seek to spread the Gospel to the world. We are not to care what our families, friends and others think of our faith, but wear it openly.
-Too many Christians, including me at certain times, will fall into one of the first 4 categories, and actively avoid the 5th correct category.
-People will say "oh he's too Heavenly focused to be any earthly good"
-What they miss is that the more Heavenly focused we are, the MORE Good we do to a world of people in need of salvation through Christ.
-If we are thinking ahead, it is out of love for our fellow brothers and sisters. WE understand what is at stake, and strive everyday to live the best we can to be an example---to be a light----to the world
It doesn't always pan out like I would like in my own life, but I am trying to be a Missionary Christian
-Family will likely turn on me...many have in thought already
-Friends have abandoned me because of "radical" views and "intolerance"
-I thank God for a spouse who agrees with me on this, and together we can hopefully fulfill God's purpose in our lives
I don't want to be afraid to pray at dinner with family. I don't want to be afraid to speak to family member about Christ who at best has a "Casual" Christian mindset (6th type?)
-I want to honor my Heavenly Father, while still honoring my earthly parents--but obviously one of those trumps the others--even as Jesus said..who are my brothers? who is my mother? ---
We are not called to abandon society...but we are called to be set apart as a light to the world.
Earth is not our home. We are aliens. That statement may make you run to get me a tin foil hat---but it is scripturally sound.
-The early church didn't care what "the world" thought of them---they just worshipped the risen Christ (who many had seen with their own eyes)
Christ visited over 500 people after resurrection, in the flesh, glorified physical body (a preview of ours someday)---how can we discount 500 testimonies---we don't have them all written..but we have it on good authority through Paul (previously the great persecutor and hater of the Christians) that many were still living who had seen Christ when Paul wrote some of his epistles acknowledging the resurrection of the living Christ.
The words of the Bible will be foolish to those not filled with the spirit of God. But to those who pray for understanding, it all becomes so clear.
In Christ I am a new creation--I am born again of the Holy Spirit. I will seek to be an unashamed Christian, so that through my testimony and witness, many will be saved. And someday, when people say "they're in a better place," they won't be wrong about it.
Be blessed friends!
No comments:
Post a Comment