Tag Archive | #Christian

Do you really know what you believe?

Question: Why do so many Christians have trouble explaining how the Bible relates to today’s social issues?

Answer: Simply put, many Christians are not regularly studying God’s Word. In 2nd Timothy 2:15, the Bible says, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (KJV) When we stay in God’s word and pray for Him to give us understanding as we study, we can trust God to make His truth known to us. In fact, by continuing on in 2nd Timothy 3:16-17, the Word says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (NKJV) Therefore, it’s vital that Christians study God’s word in order to know what they believe and be able to explain their beliefs to others.

Another problem many Christians face is that in our society today, Christians listen to people in the media as well as in their communities tell them what they had better think about various issues. If the Christian dares to stand up for an opposing view, they may face ridicule, be called a “hater,” or even lose their job. For example, a politician who says he is “pro-life” might be falsely accused of being against women’s rights. A student who writes a term paper about how this country was founded on Christian principles might be falsely accused of not embracing religious diversity. Or, a different student might be falsely accused of not loving this country because they write about how the country was not always following Christian principles: for example having years of legalizing the sins of slavery and racial segregation.

Many Christians would rather say little, speak in vague terms, or remain quiet in order to be accepted by the group. Sometimes, these Christians start to try to rationalize that it is okay to embrace the anti-Bible beliefs of the popular culture so that they can appear tolerant of all beliefs. As a result, when this Christian tries to explain their beliefs, their explanation might sound confusing. In fact, you can’t embrace both God’s teachings and Satan’s without being confused. We are only to embrace the teachings in God’s Word — while always showing God’s love to others!

The bottom line is that as Christians, we need to be sure that we really know what we believe. Therefore, we must study God’s word to know how He wants us to live our lives. Make time, regularly to read the Bible at home and participate in good Bible studies under godly pastors and teachers. Pray that you get the correct understanding from your studies. As a result, you should be much better equipped to explain your Christian beliefs and stands on various issues to others.

Don’t have a Jesus-free Christmas!

Dec9

Question: In the hustle and bustle of the season, how can I make sure I’m keeping Christ in Christmas?

Answer: Even dedicated Christians can sometimes find themselves consumed with every tradition of the holiday season except what’s most important. They can forget that Jesus really is the reason for the season! Christians know that this is the time of the year we choose to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Therefore, we should make the time and make the effort to keep Christ in our Christmas! But, if we know this, then why don’t we do it?

Unfortunately, some Christians can get as consumed with creating the picture-perfect Christmas experience as the world does. They fill themselves with anxiety trying to get the best super sales on the most popular gifts. Adults get worked up over seeing their peers gifting themselves with the latest “must-have” gadgets and new technology. They wear themselves out trying to keep up with the trends of the crowd. They forget to pause, reflect, and be thankful for the greatest gift – Jesus Christ.

Likewise, many Christian families find themselves in turmoil during this season. Married couples fight over which in-laws they are going to spend Christmas Day with. Parents argue over how much money they are going to spend to make sure their children have this year’s hottest toys. They fill the family calendar with so many seasonal activities that they find themselves exhausted. Yet, they fail to make time for the most important things – reading, meditating on, and discussing God’s Word.

Most importantly, during this season of spending extra time with family and friends, too many Christians fail to include in their discussions talk of their walk with the Lord. They tend not to share with their family and friends how God has brought them faithfully through this year. They are willing to talk about everything else but Jesus. It doesn’t have to be this way.

Don’t have a Jesus-free Christmas! See that you and your family are keeping Christ in Christmas. There are many ways you can do this. For example, plan to take your family to a church Christmas program that tells the story of Christ’s birth. While decorating the tree, play or sing Christmas hymns that give praise to our Lord. Make sure to share with your family and friends how God has blessed you this year. And, always make sure your family knows the story of the birth of our Savior. Luke 2: 1-20 spells out in detail how Jesus was born in Bethlehem. This Bible passage may be one you’d even want to read aloud together. Listen to a reading of this account by clicking here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCKpwaRxIww&feature=youtube_gdata .

And, have a very Merry CHRISTmas!

Helpful Links:

Focus on the Family www.focusonthefamily.com

Crown Financial Ministries http://www.crown.org

The Christian Broadcasting Network www.cbn.com

World Magazine http://www.worldmag.com

(Reposted from my Dec. 2014 Blog Post)

Will the real Christian please stand up?

Mar4

Question: Why is it that so many people call themselves Christians, yet they take opposite stands on many of today’s social issues?

Answer: Many of these people are Christians in name only. If you question them about their beliefs, you’ll find that they don’t actually believe God’s Holy Word. They simply pick and choose the parts of the Bible they like and dismiss the rest. They believe that Jesus was a good religious leader. However, they don’t understand that they need to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. They may not want to live their lives the way God commands us to live in order to please Him.

Therefore, when it comes to taking a stand on today’s social issues, true Bible believing Christians will desire to follow God’s Word. In John 14:15, Jesus says, “If you love Me, keep my commandments.” ( NKJV) Believers will agree that if God calls a behavior sin, it is sin. Period. No matter how many laws are passed or how many people vote for it, if God says it’s wrong, then it is wrong. Each one of us will stand before God one day and answer for our sins. If we haven’t accepted Jesus as the only One who died on the Cross to take the punishment we deserve for our sins, we will not go to Heaven. (Read John 3:16).

If you are calling yourself a Christian, you need to start reading the Bible to find out if you are living as God wants you to live. Feeding the poor, helping needy children, and doing other good works are wonderful things. But they do not make you a Christian. Jesus says in Matthew 7:22-23, “Many will say to me in that day ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”

Romans 1:18-32 details why we all should feel guilty when we disobey God and embrace sin. It also tells us of the destructive results that come from embracing sin. So if you see someone who is calling themselves a Christian while also being unrepentant in approving of things that God calls sin, take notice. You should pray for the discernment of God’s Holy Spirit to know if they are really Believers. In Matthew 7:20, Jesus says, “Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”

So make sure you’re not a Christian in name only. As the common saying goes: if you were on trial accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict? Be sure, by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Understand that Jesus took the punishment we all deserve when He was put to death on the cross. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins. Praise God that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day and lives with our Father God in Heaven! Commit to living your life to please Him while we’re on this earth. And, rejoice in knowing that as true Christians, we’ll be able to join Jesus in Heaven one day!

Follow me on Twitter: @valclarksplace

Re-posted from my Oct. 29, 2015 Blog

Does love really mean not calling sin…sin?

Feb11

Question: Shouldn’t Christians just show love to others and stop trying to shame them about their sins?

Answer: That depends on what you mean by “showing love.” Consider this: a good and loving parent teaches their child right from wrong and lets that child know that doing wrong (sinning) will lead to negative consequences. For example, the loving parent will teach their child not to play with matches. They will tell him what could happen if he started a fire that caused himself or others to be seriously burned. The parent would let the child know that his disobedience could even lead to the entire house burning to the ground. If that child still goes and plays with the matches, the parent will tell the child, again, why this was wrong and punish the child to discourage him from doing it again. Likely, that child will feel ashamed when being called out for doing wrong.

But, better that parent tell that child what he was doing was wrong than keeping the child ignorant of the dangers of his actions… actions that could possibly lead to catastrophic results! That parent telling the child his behavior was wrong was actually showing love to that child. For it would not be very loving to let that child remain unaware of his dangerous behavior and the potentially deadly consequences.

Likewise, God wants Believers to tell the world His Gospel. In fact, Jesus left us with the Great Commission to, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…” ( Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV) Of utmost importance in what His Holy Word teaches is the deadly consequences of our sin. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Since Romans 3:23 says that we “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” we all need our Savior, Jesus Christ!

Therefore, it would not be very loving to keep people ignorant of the dangers of their sinful behavior. Letting people know what sin is and the consequences of their sin is actually a loving thing to do. Just always let them know in ways that are compassionate and caring – remembering that we were all lost in sin until we accepted Jesus as our Savior. Thank God for His saving grace!

Follow me on Twitter: @valclarksplace