It is almost like they expect such statements to give a sort of validity to their comments. We are supposed to say, "Oh, well they are Christians so they must know what they are talking about." This is also reflective of how people approach Christianity these days.
In many ways, the word "Christian" has almost become one of the most meaningless words in the world because most who use it do so with no regard for what it means. There is no substance of Christ in their "Christianity" because they have created an idol named "Jesus" who is not the same as the true Son of God.
This Christ idol also has a number of false sayings to undergird him; sayings which many proudly promote, being deceived into thinking that these statements reflect Christ.
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Romans 8:14
"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:26
We are not all God's children. Scripture says the only ones who are His are those who are led by His Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ (being born again). If Jesus isn't one's Savior & Lord then such is not a child of God, but a child of Satan (John 8:44).
God is Working on ALL of Us
"And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient." Romans 1:28
God is not working on "all of us". While God's desire is for all to be saved, Scripture is clear that God is far away from the wicked (Psalm 66:18; Proverbs 15:29; John 9:31). God has even given up some people to reprobation, which places them beyond redemption.
God Helps Those Who Help Themselves
"For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his." Hebrews 4:10
God sent His only begotton Son precisely because man was unable to help himself. God is not looking to add Himself to man's ability. He is not our "co-pilot" and He doesn't need our help. Such is the exact opposite of the Gospel. Rather, God is looking for us to cease from our own efforts, our own works, and our own understanding and depend completely on Him in everything.
Don't Be So Heavenly Minded That You Are No Earthly Good
"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." Colossians 3:2
Can our minds be so set on the things of God that we are no longer of any good in the earth? Not according to the Lord. On the contrary, God says that your affections can be so "earthly" focused that you make yourself the enemy of God. The only way that the love of God can reside in us is if our minds, thoughts, and desires are first and foremost on Heavenly things. The only way we can be filled with light - and thereby be the light unto the world - is for our eye to be single and focused on the things above.
I am Just a Sinner Saved By Grace
"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?" I Corinthians 6:9a
We have discussed before how saints are no longer sinners. While we are all saved by grace, the call for Christians is to cease from sin through the power that Christ gives us over sin.
You Cannot Judge
One of the more popular falsehoods supported by this "Jesus" idol is that it is a sin to judge.
While we have a set of articles which address the issue of judging in detail, the bottom line is that God only forbids hypocrites from judging (Matthew 7:1-5). He does however use His people to proclaim His judgments.
The Christian's Job is Just to Pray for People
"Thus saith the LORD unto this people, Thus have they loved to wander, they have not refrained their feet, therefore the LORD doth not accept them; he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins. Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for their good." Jeremiah 14:10-11
People often use a "you should just pray" response to stop you from addressing areas of darkness, sin, or compromise. The pastor is accused of molesting young boys? You should just pray. The church has been misusing church funds? You should just pray. The preacher leaves his wife and children in order to marry his mistress? You should just pray.
The Christian's obligation is not to "just pray", but to obey God (I John 2:3-4). We are to pray without ceasing, but that is not the same as praying to the cessation of all else. Whether He tells you to pray, speak, be quiet, etc. Whatever He tells you to do, that is what you should do. He might even tell you not to pray for someone. The only way to know what to do in any situation is to hear from Him.
God Loves the Sinner, but Hates the Sin
"God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day." Psalm 7:11
If a reading of Scripture tells you anything it would be that God takes sin personally. He is not indifferent about sin or the sinner, but He hates sin and holds man accountable for it. God is not looking down lovingly on the sinner, but they are the objects of His wrath...every day! God is merciful to sinners, giving all time to repent, but the love of God is realized in our lives when we become His sons (Hebrews 12:6-7; I John 3:1).
We Just Need to Think, "What Would Jesus Do"
God is not calling upon us to try and act like Him, that is religious performance.
We are not to mimic Jesus, but to be conformed to His image by the Spirit so that we can actually be as He is in this world (I John 4:17). It is only then that we can walk in His will because we will be doing so by nature and not as hypocrites (actors).
Christians Have to Show Love
"My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." I John 3:18
"By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." I John 5:2-3
Because fallen man determines what "love" is based on how it makes him feel, many are running around trying to "show" that they are loving by catering to man's feelings. This of course means that anything which might offend is seen as "unloving". This has resulted in a watered-down gospel that compromises on the truths of God and bears no resemblance to the real thing.
What people need to understand is that God's love is synonymous with His truths. You cannot separate the two. The way that Christians show love is by obeying God's commands and standing for His truths, regardless of how it makes man "feel". If you decide that people's reactions will determine how you represent the Lord, then you will have to deny God's word.
Jesus is a Friend to Sinners
Jesus is not a friend to sinners, as we reviewed previously. The grace of God - which comes by Jesus Christ - is only given to the humble. As Jesus confirms, God does not even hear sinners (John 9:31).
God Knows My Heart
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9
"He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered." Proverbs 28:26
"Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God." Hebrews 3:12
Each of these statements above are often recited by professing Christians, yet are lies. Notice how at the heart of each is a denial of God's commands and or compromise with the world. They are sayings which are used to support "another Jesus" (II Corinthians 11:4).
In these days, where everybody has "a word from the Lord" you had better know Christ for yourself. Measure everything (here or anywhere) by the full counsel of the Lord's word as His Spirit reveals the truth to you and conforms you to that truth.
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