One of the most telling points throughout out Christian history is the divisive nature of the faith. There have always been those who are legalistic, caustic, apostic, opportunistic, and of course, the truly faithful. It is interesting to note that many can not define what Christianity really is, much less how to appropriately apply it in their own lives. A sad commentary indeed on the state of Christianity today, the church, and again, of all time. Let’s be clear. Being Christian is not something you do, it is something that you are, and the actions will flow from there.

I could quote a myriad amount of scripture here to support what I am about to say, however, as the debates rage and the attacking continues, it is quite obvious that the Word of God is the first casualty of this war—and it is a war! See the greatest deterrent to Christianity is Christians! Just look around you and you will find, that many who profess are not examples of the very thing they are claiming to be!

That is the cultural definition of what apostasy is…. what many “in the faith” are actually living, so real Christianity need not apply!

There is a difference between what a Christian is, and what the body of Christ is. That shouldn’t be the case, but unfortunately that is the way it is today. Being Christian is a label to identify a specific set of doctrinal beliefs (though a moving target), being in the body of Christ is a definition of our relationship with God, Christ and the Holy Spirit. Many are Christians, but fewer are of the body of Christ. It is much like the difference between being a gifted singer, and merely being a performer lip-syncing the latest top 10. Without help, the performer really is nothing more than a pretty face, which is bolstered by those who are really doing the heavy lifting, or not, depending on who you are listening to (smile). An artist is one who can give voice to an aria of sublime magnificence.

The two are as different as night and day.

And so it is with Christianity. Many are very adept, or not so adept as the case may be, in giving a good show and performing outwardly for all to see. However the true disciple of Christ shines forth, even in the blackest of night, a true reflection of the light of God that is indwelling within and made manifest for all to see by God—not the individual themselves. What will they see? If they are true members of the body of Christ, they will see Christ in all that the person says, does, thinks and feels. They become the very things they have set their minds and offered their hearts to become, children of God in every sense of the word.

The old cliché then rings true, you may be the only (true) Bible some people may ever read.

We are admonished like Abram in Genesis 17:1, I believe, to walk before our God and be perfect; reflecting the character of our calling, and circumspect in our walk. When you discipline yourself to something (hence the word discipleship) you are striving to become that thing. Like a great athlete who practices day in and day out to become a great runner, or basketball player, or any endeavor, they become that thing which they have fashioned their lives around.

This is the defining characteristic of discipleship—to be that which we are called to be.

In the divisive nature of those who claim the right to a godly inheritance, many will be disappointed with the status they will truly receive. Many will be the requests to take the lower seat at God’s banquet table, or to lose outright one’s inheritance through Christ. Earthly pride, arrogance, and other traits of dissension and self-importance, are checked in at the door, and not allowed inside.

Indeed no shirt (or mantle of Christ), no service!

When we look at the diverse positions of the road of faith (thus life) that each of us are on, it is good to remember that road is not Pentecostal, Lutheran, Baptist, et al, but rather, Joe, Felicity, Aaron, Maria, Gwen and Steven. In short, the road is in the heart of every man, woman and child. The destination is the same, but no two walk in the same footsteps on this road, lest they be Christ’s, as also no two relationships are the same, be they earthly or divine.

We can question false doctrine, misguided thought and ill conceived perceptions concerning the teachings of God, and His Word. But we can not question a person’s relationship with God, because we are not in the other’s relationship with God. Yes, we can discern the things they do as being Godly or not, but we are outside voyeurs looking at the earthly reflection of what is divinely established individually—a love bond and kinship with God, Christ and the Holy Spirit. This is a realm that no man has traversed in another’s shoes, but rather can only be a companion, and friend, on the road of life together.

The journey is singular, and well-defined by God.

We are admonished to uplift, love and support one another, in the bonds of peace. We are to be a waymark and not a stumbling block. Our example is to be an inspiration to others who want to be in the body of Christ, and a child of God. It is our lives that are the testimony, not our words, or our actions, but both in the harmony, our life of discipleship made visible. God is the power, the fabric upon which all creation is hung; He needs no one to fill in for Him. He simply calls us to love, and walk our walk of faith uprightly.

This is what it really means to be Christian, and of the body of Christ.

So, the question is really quite simple, in our lives are we Christians, or are we of the body of Christ—or both? In a true sense, are we His Children? A reflection of all that He is, doing that which He has done, loving as He has loved and walking the paths of righteousness that He so lovingly blazed over two thousand years ago? His legacy still stands, His promises are new EVERY morning, and His spirit sustains us even now. We do not bear the vine, but as branches it is the vine that bears us. In Him do we have adoption, and in Him are we justified. No man can judge us, or our relationship with Him, for that is the purview of God alone.

In this season of His glory (a never ending season of glory), when He strode among men in the flesh, He told us to love one another, so let us heed the call AND love one another! Because it is in the bonds of love wherewith we make our election sure. It is the heart that defines our faith, and our mind that defines our understanding of God’s truth.

But it is our relationship with God that defines our inheritance.

Make sure that what you receive is the divine glory of son/daughtership, under Christ, rather than the glass beads of the worldly nature, the final reward of a “cultural Christian” . We are all prodigal sons and daughters of God, and are ardently striving to find our way back home. Let no man be an obstacle you on this journey home. None can stand in the place of God, save God alone. So strive always to be Christian and be of the body of Christ. How?

Discipleship!

Be blessed, be loved and be at peace,

~ Jonathan

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3 Comments

1. 

   mariwen

   April 22, 2009 • 11:21 pm

   
   
   

   Well, that only shows how challenging the post is…..it caught not just people’s attention but stirred their heart as well.
   Sometimes it takes someone’s keen eye to see it and a heart full of conviction to stand for what is truly right before God’s probing eyes.
   Just keep going because what matter most is what God has to say.

   Expect more! lol!
2. 

   mariwen

   April 22, 2009 • 9:59 am

   
   
   

   Whew! that’s a lot!
   Cultural christianity stops when we stop putting God in a box and start seeking the God who is..it is wanting the God we knew and read in our Bible rather than the God we have imagined Him to be.

   I have lived this kind of life before….i thought by adding Christ in my life will give me more significance,serving Him but also embracing the world….and what did i get? a lot too!, namely betrayals,disappointments,hurts,and disillusions and eventually find myself more confused than before.And turning point of my life is when i begin to acknowledge the God that He is rather than pursuing the God that i want.

   I am fed……and learning and understanding more.

   Blessings.
   • 

     J. D. Payne

     April 22, 2009 • 2:14 pm

     
     
     

     Anything good is God, but I think I have already offended some! I’m not judging anyone’s personal walk with God, rather if we are complying to the well-known principles of faith…

     God bless you!