Native Christian: Are you a NATIVE Christian? Pt. 1

Are you a "Native Christian?"

What is a Native Christian? Native Christian is a funny name that came up during a Bible study last year. We used the term to define people who don't really know why they are "Christian" - - and quite frankly, they most likely are not. They are simply identified with Christianity because of their parents, or because they go to church on the weekend for social activity, or because they want to be the same as others... for a variety of different reasons, they identify themselves as a Christian.

Are YOU a Christian simply because you were born into a Christian household? Have you ever considered what it means to actually be like Christ?

Are you "Christian because your parents are Christians?" Are you a "Christian" because "you were raised in a Christian house?" If someone asked people who know you, what would they say about you? Do you KNOW if you are really a Christian?

How can you really know if you are a Christian?

This blog will be dedicated to the following:

- Spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ

- Determining the difference between a "Native Christian" and a sinner who has been reborn and regenerated to new life

- Discussing and answering questions about Christianity and refuting some common myths and misunderstandings about the Bible

- Addressing problems with other world religions and other cults that claim to be of the Christian Church

- Addressing current social/political issues from a Biblical and Christian world-view

This blog will not do the following:

-Engage in hostile argumentative debate or allow offensive or inappropriate comments. If you are simply here to pick a fight, or if you just want to make rude inappropriate comments, they will be removed immediately and ignored.

I hope you enjoy my blog, for whatever its worth to you, and I although I am no scholar, no professor or high profile pastor, I hope that I can communicate with you all in a direct and effective manner that is edifying to you, and glorifies the Lord!

Thank you, and God Bless!

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Are you a NATIVE Christian? Pt. 1

Are you a NATIVE CHRISTIAN?

Native Christian is a funny name that came up during a Bible study earlier this year. We used the term to define people who don't really know why they are "Christians" - - and quite frankly, they most likely are not. These are the people who don't act in a manner that is honoring or pleasing to God, they don't have any apparent relationship with Jesus Christ, and they certainly don't appear to have any knowledge of what Christianity is all about. They are simply identified with Christianity because of their parents, because they go to church on the weekend for social activity, because they want to be the same as others...

Are YOU a Christian simply because you were born into a Christian household? Have you ever considered what it means to actually be like Christ? It is a huge undertaking that should never be spoken of or taken lightly.

I have seen a lot of people claiming to be Christians because they go to church, or because they were born into a Christian home, or what about "because I was born in America?" None of these things make you a Christian... WHAT ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP?! Being a Christian is all about having a relationship with Jesus Christ, not "being religious" not wearing a T-Shirt, not listening to a certain band, or "going to church." These are things that Christians may do, however these things are not what makes you a Christian.

Claiming the name of Christ is something that should not be taken lightly. Either you are for Him, or you are against Him. If you are for Him, and indeed a Christian (one who is Christ-like), then we should all be acting in a manner that is worthy of Him saying to you "well done." If we don't even know what being a Christian is all about, we don't know our Savior, we don't have a relationship with Him, we don't fulfill the Great Commission, then ultimately we don't honor God, and aren't giving him any glory.

I'm not saying that we shouldn't raise our kids to know the Lord, and I'm not saying that I wasn't guilty of this same thing when I was younger. I'm just saying, lets take a look at what a Christian is, what it means, and let's not call ourselves something that we are not. If we are going to bear His name, let's try to demonstrate His love, extend his mercy and grace to others, and (without being "too perfect") let's try to be more like Him!