Green Pastures
Weekly Devotional

A Real Christian

 

Some people are pretty confused about what a Christian is.  A street survey was taken asking random people passing by if he or she is a Christian. The reply – “Oh I think so, I am very religious.”  That led to a short discussion – it was clear the one being asked was not sure what to answer and he was not eager to continue the interchange.  The interviewer asked several questions but got little response.  “Are you a Buddhist?” “No”. “Are you a Hindu?” “No.”   “But they are also spiritual people.  How are you different?” the questioner asked.  The one being questioned had no real answer and left the scene with a “Gotta go.”   That repeated itself with various people being similarly questioned giving a variety of answers, such as “I go to mass every morning, so I must be.”  And on it went. I think we can all agree that someone can be religious and very spiritual but may not be a Christian.

 

But even in Christian circles, there are those who have deceived themselves into believing that they are truly Christians based on what they do. Here are some myth-shattering truths that make us stop and reconsider our criteria for belonging to the family of God.

 

You can go to church 3 times a week or more and not be a Christian.  For some it’s a lifelong habit dating back to childhood, or even be the means to socialize, but it may not be for the purpose of learning about or truly worshiping God.

 

When in church, you may love to sing along with great enthusiasm, raise your hands and feel a oneness with the music, but not necessarily with God. We know that music has the power to touch emotions, but it may have nothing to do with one’s personal relationship to the one about whom they are singing. Involvement with the music does not indicate a Christian mindset.

 

Likewise, a person can have good scholarly insight into biblical teachings, and perhaps even teach Sunday school, but may never have surrendered the heart and life to the Lord. I have known men and women who have taught the bible for years but have never decided to pursue a personal relationship with God.

 

I have heard some pray with great eloquence and powerful voice, but have no acquaintance with the One to whom they pray. As well, people have said the “sinner’s prayer” and walked away having no idea what it was about or what they had done.  One young adult, when asked about it said simply “No clue what it means, but it was what my friend was doing, so I did it too.”

 

So, what does it mean to be a Christian – a follower of Jesus Christ? The apostle Paul laid out what has become known as The Roman Road, described in the book of Romans in the New Testament of the Bible.

 Recognizing the truth of Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” We have all done things that are displeasing to God. There is no one who is innocent. Romans 3:10-18 gives a detailed picture of what sin looks like in our lives.

 

The second Scripture on the Romans Road to salvation, Romans 6:23a, teaches us about the consequences of sin: “For the wages of sin is death.” The punishment that we have earned for our sins is death. Not just physical death, for most of us will die physically, but eternal death, totally separated from God and anything good for time without end.

 

The third verse on the Romans Road to salvation picks up in the middle of Romans 6:23 “But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” And Romans 5:8 declares, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus Christ died for us! Jesus’ death paid the price for our sins.

 

The fourth stop on the Romans Road to salvation is Romans 10:9, “That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Because of Jesus’ death on our behalf, if we will but believe in Him, trusting that His death was the payment for our sins -, we will be saved! Romans 10:13 says it again, “for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sins and rescue us from eternal death. Salvation, the forgiveness of sins, is available to anyone who will trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

 

The final aspect of the Romans Road to salvation is the result of salvation. Romans 5:1 has this wonderful message: “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Through Jesus Christ we can have a relationship of peace with God. Romans 8:1 says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Because of Jesus’ death on our behalf, we will never be condemned for our sins. Finally, we have this precious promise of God from Romans 8:38-39: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

 

Have you walked the Roman Road? Are you a Christian?

 

 

 

B. Klassen                        beatrice.klassen@outlook.com