What Christianity Is and Is Not

 So many people who are not Christian have a such bad view of Christianity. In most cases, this may be because of how they see our faith being represented by people who only call themselves "Christian".  I myself sometimes find it hard to separate the Christian faith from some of the poor examples I see. But as with anything, people can adopt any label they like but the proof is in their living.

Why are there so many poor examples of the Christian faith? I think it most often comes down to ignorance. Someone may be just have been born into a tradition that they don't understand or they got caught up in a cult or a fad. And for a lot of people, it's that they are under teachers of false doctrines.

Many people (like myself) can end up in Christian churches that are not good for them so they don't even know what it is to truly be a Christian. Maybe the person is not yet a Christian and doesn't know better. Maybe they are Christians who don't study their Bible - and so they don't know better. Maybe (and I think this is the most common reason) they put too much faith in the leader(s) of their church.

I'm no scholar but I am growing in my faith. I want to point out some signs of churches and "Christians" to avoid. Along the way, I hope you learn something about the faith - the true faith that is Christianity. By the way, when I use the term "true Christian", I mean one who is earnestly wanting to learn what Christianity is and is not. I will start with churches.

Avoid a church that...

•  Is affiliated with the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). The lovely hosts of the Long For Truth YouTube channel have a series of videos about the NAR and point to this webpage of NAR-connected ministries and this page of NAR terminology.
• Uses something in addition to or instead of the Bible as an authority,
• or that teaches from "Bibles" that don't aren't actual or accurate translations - such as The Message - which may or may not be fine for casual reading. (Because there are several translations, here is one guide that I've used. By the way, I currently use the eSword to access several, including the KJV, NKJV, and NASB. I also recently got a copy of the TRB, which I love for casual reading before bed.)
• Has "prophets" with failed prophecies.
• Has leaders who are always getting a "fresh revelation" or are hearing from God. 
• Teaches that "you are god" too.
• Aligns with the teachings of any pastor who doesn't follow the teachings of the Bible.
• Teaches that Jesus was just a good man or teacher but doesn't recognize his divine nature.
• Focuses on your feelings, wealth, and health instead of your salvation.
• Welcomes sin with open arms instead of welcoming sinners with reasons to change.
• Loves the sin more than they love the sinner.
• Strives to entertain rather than to instruct.
• Cares more about what people think about the church rather than what Jesus thinks about the people.
• Teaches ecumenism and tolerance rather than truth and instruction. This is a current trend today with the LGBTQ community clashing with biblical teaching.
• Worries more about ruling this world and kingdoms here on earth than the King and kingdom to come.
• Teach from the minds of the pastors rather than from the Word of God.
• Teaches tithing as a requirement rather than as from personal willingness.
• Allows women pastors.
• Does not carefully monitor what is done with its resources.
• Does not have a good church structure and oversight of leaders.
• Encourages/approves of practices such as yoga ("holy" or otherwise), the Enneagram, mysticism, and other unbiblical teachings.
• Is based more on the personality of the pastor than the teachings of the Bible.
• Is a "charismatic" church. (By the way, I spent my pre-teens in a charismatic church much like those of today.)

Avoid a church that doesn't...

• Recognize the Trinity as 3 distinct personalities.
• Love you with the truth of the Gospel.
• Encourage you to study the Bible for yourself the Word of God.
• Teach strictly from the Bible.

Any church that is okay with...

• Everyone "speaking in tongues" (or, as in many churches, speaking in unintelligible and uninterpreted gibberish).
• Getting "slain" in the spirit.
• Being out of control with dancing and shouting as an expression of the "Holy Ghost". See 1 Corinthians 14:26-33, 14:40 and John 4:24)
• Their leaders accumulating a mass of wealth for personal use.

Look for a church...

• With a pastor and leaders who adhere to biblical guidelines for their positions.
• That worship with order and reverence.
• Where the Bible is the final authority and focuses on teaching from the Bible about salvation and the gospel.
• That isn't concerned with trying to "help" God rule in this earthly kingdom.
• Who helps members grow in their faith and prayer life and discernment.
• That equips members in building and keeping their "Armour of God" in the best shape.

Even as a Christian who is still learning and growing in my relationship with the Lord, I am often shocked at what goes on in so many churches. When I see a service where people are running around, speaking gibberish, and being "slain" by someone breathing on them or tapping them on the forehead... A lot of services are unruly and chaotic. That is completely unbiblical.

Many so-called pastors, leaders, and teachers have made theirs a ministry of money. They have private jets and lavish homes. Seeing all the Joyce Meyers, Benny Hinns, Creflo Dollars, etc. reminds me of rock stars and celebrities - not the Apostles. Those and many other false teachers are truly living the "love of money" sin.

And the problems are not limited to the big-name deceivers. There are many individuals with sizeable numbers of YouTube followers who are just as bad. Every time I see a channel creator with "Apostle", "Prophet/Prophetess", "The Divine", "Reverend Mother", or some such thing attached to their name, I cringe. This current generation is one that thrives on social media and other internet interactions for almost everything in their lives. Where better for charlatans and ego-greedy people to find an audience?

For anyone who professes a belief in God and salvation through Jesus, please get to know the Bible. Read, study, and pray for discernment. Be like the Bereans and question the authenticity of what you are hearing in church. Is it biblical, is it edifying, is it leading you more toward the Lord than to worldly things. 

The Bible teaches what we need to know about the church, church leaders, and the Christian life. In the TRB version of the Bible, I find it easy to locate such teaching and it might be helpful for the new Christian. For example, in Ephesians, there are directions given to us.

All you need to know to live your life for the Lord is taught in the Bible. As I have within most of this post, I will share articles from GotQuestions.org for some starting points that I myself find easy to read and understand and that will lead you to further study. 

• Living the Christian life in the community and in the home. (I also like studying Ephesians chapters 4, 5, and  6,  and Philippians 1, 2, and 3)
• Who is Jesus? Is Jesus God? How can Jesus be both God and man at the same time?
• Faith alone? Yes, faith alone! - not tithing, tongues, or any other work.
• The Christian and political affiliations and politics in general. Understanding Christian nationalism.
• Take reassurance in Romans.

Understand that if you have accepted the gift of salvation, it doesn't guarantee you health, wealth, or a problem-free existence. It does mean that you are eternally secure. When you accepted Jesus's gift, you were justified, you are sanctified, and when you die, you will be glorified. 

If you want salvation, it's a free gift.

Peace

--Free

Blind & Can't See For Looking...

 I was watching a video from a ministry that I admire. The ministry works to keep people informed about the dangers lurking in everyday life for the Christian. Usually, I agree with their take on news and events. However, they often make the same mistake that many Christian ministries - and Christians -do. They seem to be blind to the faults of some groups of people while seeing everything wrong with other groups.

In a recent video from the ministry, they once again harped on the problems of liberals and Democrats. I have never seen them - or most other ministries - point out the problems among conservatives and Republicans. 

Being politically aligned with a platform that publically stands with obvious Christian values, does not always translate to living a moral and Christian life. 

Yes, more conservative voters and pols are pro-life and anti-sin. However, a lot of those same people are often caught being violently nationalist, racist, and completely unsympathetic to the poor, elderly or migrant.

Many of the same people who talk about being pro-life have no problem watching someone starve or go homeless. Many of the people with a platform who vocalize about following Jesus and being all about family end up embarrassed by their caught-out actions.

In one "for instance", I have some elderly neighbors who thought the world of Tucker Carlson. When I asked about the language he used to describe or speak about some women, they claim he was "set up".

The same people who "follow" Jesus, supported and idolized a president who share little of the Christian family values we are supposed to. He stirred up violence and made fun of disabled people. Yet, some of my Christian brothers and sisters would go to war to defend him.

Why is that? Why don't we hold everyone accountable to the same level of decency? Why is it okay for "one of ours" to be foul-mouthed, shameless, and violent when we are pointing out the sins of the other guys?

The Enemy is smart. He blinds us to some things while shining a bright light on others.

We have to get it together.

I am trying to be a child of Christ. I am anti-sin (including my own). I am not just anti-LGBTQ etc. I am anti-rude, anti-racist, anti-liar, etc. 

Let's start holding our own as accountable as we tend to do with others.

Peace

--Free

The Weight of Life & the Promise of Glory

When I left Alaska to move here - a place with actual seasons - I thought my winter blues would be less severe. After all, living here I get to enjoy the beautiful fall colors for more than a few days before the cold sets in. Also, I don't have to deal with those long dark winter days. And the summers are actually warm - not just light-sweater warm or  it's-65-so-I'm-wearing-shorts weather. 

My neighborhood here is pretty and quiet and the people are Midwestern-friendly. Still, I find myself coping with moods that ebb and flow.  Sometimes I feel I might drown. Then I remember that Jesus loves me.

God has been good to me in my physical illnesses and in my emotional struggles. I know that I would not have been able to handle the life I have now in my days of being lost. 

There is a neighbor of mine who deals with depression. She's such a nice woman and I see her fighting her battles hard. Once she admitted to me that she often prays not to wake up in the morning. I can't fathom that. This woman is a Christian but her battles with aging and physical problems are slamming her from every side.

I have not had the courage to ask her if her faith doesn't help. Again, I can't imagine praying not to wake up in the morning. But I haven't lived her battles and I can't understand her struggles. I do hope that I never get to the point she's at right now.

Now that I think about it, I suppose seasonal blues are not as bad as continual and unrelenting mental and physical struggles. My physical illness also ebbs and flows. Usually, thankfully, I am not both physically weak and emotionally fragile at the same time.

I've heard the saying from mothers that the true pain of childbirth doesn't stop them from having more children. The joy must be stronger than the pain. I guess I can say that about life as a believer. The hope we have, the love of God, and the promises He's made are more powerful than what life throws at us. That's the only way I can explain it. 

At this point in my life, I can truly testify that God has never given me more than He helps me bear. I ask that anyone reading this pray for my neighbor. Pray for any of our brothers and sisters who are struggling under the weight of life. Pray that they continue to trust God.

Let us all remember that saying: We are saved, we are being saved and we will be saved. And that we are justified, are being sanctified, and will be glorified.

Source

Praise God.

Peace

--Free