I recently got into a discussion with someone about what Christianity is and isn’t. This person began to give me a long list of “you can’t be a Christian if…” On the surface, I agreed with most of what my friend was saying, since his litany of “ifs” didn’t match my understanding of what a right-thinking Christian would believe. But I had to disagree with the “You can’t be a Christian part”. No Christian short of glory is ever 100% correct and consistent in their theology, worldview and practice. Jesus was the only one to meet that bar.
All of us have inconsistencies between what we believe and what we practice, between what the Bible teaches and how we actually think.
Fortunately for all of us, Christ doesn’t require perfection before we become believers. He doesn’t require our theology to be exact or our thought process to align exactly with His teaching. It’s a process, a lifelong renewal of your mind. It was why Paul could say…
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 ESV
The moment we trust Jesus by faith alone, we are accepted into the realm of believers, adopted as children of God and born again
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.. Colossians 1:13-14 ESV
We are justified; our sins are forgiven. We are in the process of being sanctified, that is, set apart and made holy. Eventually we will be glorified, and we will have fully right living (orthopraxy) and right belief (orthodoxy).
In the meantime, we learn and grow. The Spirit and the Word correct us, and the Lord disciplines us. We learn to have grace with one another, forgive each other and guide one another in the truth.
There is no doubt that Christians – all of us – have wrong thinking about some things. That doesn’t excuse our error; it just recognizes that we’re all at different points in our faith walk. We all need to work towards renewing our minds.
Only Christ alone knows the heart and can determine the validity of our faith. When we step up to declare who is and isn’t a believer based on their beliefs on certain issues or preferences, we step way out of bounds and try to usurp Jesus’ authority (even with what we think are good motives).
I’m not suggesting there is more than one path; Jesus is the only way. I’m not saying we accept error. I am saying we withhold judgment, have discernment and walk in grace.
Some people claim faith but have none. Others will surprise us when we reach glory. Let’s learn and disciple together and live with grace and patience.
Kevin
SUMMARY
Only Christ knows the heart, so deciding who is or isn’t a Christian is not our call. We are all still growing, so let’s learn together and walk in grace and patience.
TAKEAWAY
No Christian short of glory gets their theology, worldview and practice exactly right. Only Jesus met that bar.
Christ doesn’t require perfect theology before we believe. The moment we trust Him by faith alone, we are justified, and the renewal of our minds goes on until glory.
Only Christ can determine whether someone’s faith is real. Our part is to withhold judgment, use discernment and walk in grace, without accepting error or more than one way.
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