Tag: Christian living

  • Renewal of Your Mind: Who Gets to Say Who’s a Christian?

    A gravel trail through a sunlit forest splits around a moss-covered rock mound thick with ferns, with fallen autumn leaves scattered along both paths. Sometimes a path diverges for a while.

    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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  • Please Don’t Make Me Move : Comfort and Spiritual Growth

    Jasper, A maremma - border collie cross. A black, white and tan dog with big brown eyes rests his head on the arm of a floral loveseat and looks up at the camera.

    This is Jasper, a border collie/maremma cross. He lived with us for several years until I moved to the city. Now he and his “sister,” Misty, live with dear friends of ours. Jasper is very comfortably snuggled on the loveseat, and his big brown eyes are pleading, “Come on, boss, I just got comfortable. Please don’t make me get off the furniture.”

    I think there is a little Jasper in all of us. We get settled into a comfortable pattern of life, and we don’t want things to change. We are content to just slide through life in our little comfort zones.

    There are two problems with that. Firstly, life comes with change. Change is inevitable. The rate and amount of change can vary, but change happens whether we want it or not.

    Secondly, we don’t grow during those times we stay hunkered down in our comfortable bubbles. Most of our learning and emotional and spiritual growth comes during times of change, often in crisis.

    We get comfortable in our church life and spiritual walk, and suddenly something happens. Like Jasper, we look up at God and signal our reluctance.

    Fortunately, God cares more about our spiritual growth and holiness than our temporary comfort and happiness. We were created to be conformed to the image of Jesus, and one way or another, God will bring His plans to fruition.

    Sometimes the change comes as a simple, gentle nudge. Other times He moves in more drastic and dramatic ways. Whatever it takes, God will prune His people and shape them.

    “ I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:1-11 ESV

    Pruning is not painless, but the result is worthwhile.

    My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof,

    for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:11-12 ESV

    When the Lord moves us out of our comfort zones, He does so for a purpose. Let us be thankful that He cares enough to make us move. 

    Be blessed

    Kevin

    SUMMARY

    Like Jasper curled up on the loveseat, we often resist when God calls us out of our comfort zones. Let us be thankful that He cares more about our growth than our comfort.

    TAKEAWAY

    Change is inevitable. The rate and amount may vary, but change happens whether we want it or not.

    We don’t grow while we stay hunkered down in our comfortable bubbles. Most of our spiritual growth comes during times of change, often in crisis.

    God cares more about our holiness than our temporary comfort. He is the vinedresser of John 15, pruning us so we bear more fruit, and we can thank Him for caring enough to make us move.

    Be blessed

    Kevin

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