A Comment to Share

I wanted to post the response to a comment that was left under a
previous post titled "Why I Do Not Call Myself Christian". Because I am
posting via mobile. I cannot provide a direct link, but you will find
the link in question on the right side bar under "Frequently Asked
Questions" to follow the thread.

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Although publishing this comment, and the comment I'm about to type, may
start a "war of words", I'm using this opportunity to possibly bring
furthur clarity to truth as it taught by scripture and Spirit.

Mikes, you say "what's important really is how we live and how we
nourish our relationship". In other words our relationship should take
precedence over labeling ourselves "Christian" which is what you call a
"brand".

There can be no doubt, by reason of faith, our relationship with Christ
is not only important, but the very reason our souls have been delivered
from an eternal perishing, but the question becomes how DO we live (IN
Him)?

If we agree that the Word of God is true, then we know, accountfully,
that we have been given a ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18)
whereby we have beome laborers (1 Cor. 3: 1-9) for Him. There is no
doubt that this defines HOW we are to live.

Those who have accepted Jesus Christ of Nazareth, AND are also accepted
OF Him, know that this relationship changes that "old man" who once
lived for himself, has now become a new man that lives for Christ and
His message of reconcilation to the world.

HOW then can we share of His ministry of reconciliation unto lost souls,
if the name which that ministry SHOULD be given by is perceived by those
lost souls as hypocrital, liars and theives? By the name of modern day
Christianity, those lost souls see preachers who have condemned
homosexuality, engaging in it themselves. They have seen Bible school
teachers who have taught little children about the 10 commandments kill
a child, and stuff them in a suitcase. They have seen pastors on
television pandering the Word of God for a "seed" of $108.00. MANY of
these same souls have their own personal experiences with what is call
Christianity today. And by these experiences, they have already resisted
Christ, having NEVER heard the truth in whole.

How then do we live? How then do we nourish this relationship if the
lost souls have resisted their Savior because of this wrong? Christians
have said that unbelievers resist the gospel because they love to live
in their sins. This excuse and accusation is reflected in in how they
BELIEVE a relationship with Christ is about... a legalistic, ritualistic
worship of church (group) regular attendance, sitting quietly in pews
listening to an adapted, watered down version of the Word (1 John 2:27)
implementing, in vain, a lifestyle by a code of morals that will bring
them "righteousness" in God's eyes.

Let the record show that the only relationship that is RECOGNIZED by
Christ are the ones that do "the will of my Father" (Matthew 7:21) and
that will is to present ourselves as a sacrifice to Him and to HIS WILL
(ministry of reconciliation). For this same record (Word) also states:

"For the time has come that judgement must begin at the house of God:
and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not
the gospel of God?" - 1 Peter 4:17

Let me clear, the name, Christian, authentically, is not a "brand", for
it bears the name of Christ. But through time and ages since its
induction, it has come to be associated with a teaching, and a lifestyle
that falsely and deliberately misrepresents Him and His sacrifice at the
cross.

In order for me to be effective and FRUITFUL, (in my relationship with
Him) I need to ensure that I am NOT being associated with THAT teaching,
to me it is akin to taking His name in vain (Det. 5:11).

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Despite the undeniable apostate condition that plagues Christianity at
large, many Christians downplay or ignore the very truth they claim to
love, in their vigorous defense of what Christianity is today. It is
plain to me that they hold near and dear the traditions that they
believe defines a Christian and not the truth that gives BIRTH to an
authentic Christian.

Let the record show that the only authentic Christian after HIS name's
sake is the one who does the will of the Father. Are you a Christian by
today's apostate standards or a Believer by which you have a holy
ministry, for which Christ gave of Himself? (2 Cor. 4:1)

By NOT making a distinction, the wolves continue to run rampant and
destructively, enabled by "itchy-eared" Christians, who dearly love
their traditions.

"Giving no offence in anything, that the ministry be not blamed:" - 2
Cor. 6:3

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