“Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore.” Hebrews 13:13 |
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Jesus made people both comfortable and uncomfortable. He was clearly in the world but never of the world. Early in life, he declared he was going to be about his Father’s business of establishing the Kingdom of God on earth. People were comfortable bringing their sin, sickness and disease to him; believing, that in him, they could find deliverance. Yet, others, like the Pharisees and Sadducees, often objected to his presence. If we are to follow Christ, then how shall we follow him? We must go to him outside the camp of this world. The western world today is slowly becoming the camp of secular humanist; they declare no need for a savior nor fear God. Furthermore, recent studies show that by the time they graduate college, many younger Christians are losing their way into this secular wilderness. It is in many ways becoming very unpopular to be a “true” Christian in a world where everything Christian is now attacked as discriminatory. Christ says that we are greater and we should be doing greater things to establish the Kingdom of God here on earth. The Kingdom established in our hearts, removes us from the camp of the world and draws others to Christ. So, let us be proud believers, who do not need to justify our choice for Christ to anyone but who shares the need for him to all.
Christian Dreamer 
“It is in many ways becoming very unpopular to be a “true” Christian in a world where everything Christian is now attacked as discriminatory”
That depends entirely what you mean by ‘true’ Christians. If I talk to them, they’ll tell me that they’re the true Christians and you or others are the false ones. Why should I believe you and not them?
Here’s why I appreciate your post: you are asking a very intelligent question without the sarcasm and polarizing language much of America as succumb to…so thanks for that. I use “true” not signify any superclass or throwback class of special christians, but rather, to indicate one who matches the description Christ gives for his followers. A true christian is one who abides in Christ (i.e. follow His way of doing things, even if it is unpopular and controversial)…..Jesus was very counter-culture. A true christian shows love (the Golden Rule, Love other disciples, etc). A true christian is clearly in the secular world but not “of” the secular world; like Christ they honor the world system and laws except where they violate scripture (i.e. Jesus’s famous words on government “give Caesar what is his….” A true christian seeks to live a life under grace that pleases God first. The real goal is not to believe men necessarily, but follow Christ and listen to the Holy Spirit in your heart. Not all men operate in truth. Truth is bigger than all men, since no man can be all truth. Truth can not be denied – the laws of science, natural laws and spiritual laws must all abide in truth.
Not to be rude, but I think my question still stands.
This is what you say it means to be a true Christian. This is how you interpret your Bible. Someone else will come to me and interpret it differently, and say that their interpretation is what makes a true Christian?
How am I, a non Christian, supposed to decide who is correct? Is it my place to make that decision? Does it matter?
Interpretation is not the issue of truth, truth is what is it. I do not need to interpret 2+2=4, it always does. Jesus’s words are simple:
1) “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6. There is no way to misinterpret this, Jesus says he is the way to God. He is the truth. Eternal life is only gain through faith in him. How can this be misinterpreted by another christian or a nonbeliever? We can argue about whether Jesus has the authority to make a claim such as this, but we can argue over the interpretation of what this means.
2) Jesus said, “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.” John 15:10. The only thing possibly up for interpretation here is what does it mean to abide? Jesus defines such in this very verse…..to keep God’s commandments and to love.
3) What are those commandments? This question was asked of Jesus : “36 Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” 37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:36-39 What can be misinterpreted by this? Again simple truths.
It sounds to me like you are judging Christ by those who disagree on scripture. Jesus says judge him only by your heart. “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32 Men argue over the interpretation of the constitution, but the truth is there is separation of church and state and freedom of religion; until they take that out it remains truth. Should all americans be judged by the voices of the polarized few? Christianity is the same…let truth speak to you my new friend. As a non-believer you owe it to your self to test Jesus’ hypothesis that “He is the Way.” Ignore the other polarizing voices and prove Christ true or false in your heart and test his words.