Not all are Christians

Not all are Christians

“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ 
                                                                                                                        Matthew 7:22,23

Here’s an admission or warning if you will from a Christian of over forty years now. The admission is this. Not all who call themselves Christians are Christians.
Some may have been Christians to start out, but have turned away from correct Christian teaching.
Others are simply money grabbers. Charlatans who see using the bible as an easy way to get rich.
Still others are either misguided or like the powerful feeling they get when they stand in front of a pulpit, be it in a church on in the media.
These men I admit have hurt the Christian cause over the centuries. These men are still hurting the Christian cause today.
Unfortunately Christianity is filled with human beings who have frailties. We are no different from other groups or institutions.
Here in Canada there is a scandal about people in the Senate misusing their position and government money.
In the United States policemen have been charged in attacks on some unarmed black youths.
While these men committed crimes it doesn’t mean all police or all Senators are criminals.
Would we call all gay men or all heterosexual men criminals if one was caught committing a crime. Certainly not.
Likewise it’s the same for those who call themselves Christian. I can list many things that have been done in the name of Christ that is wrong. It doesn’t mean all of us are bigots or criminals.
This for me is what a true Christian is.
A true Christian believes Jesus when he says,
...“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” 
                                                                                                                                                 John 14:6
A True Christian believes the words of the Apostle Paul who tells us salvation if a gift received by faith he states,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” 
                                                                        Ephesians 2:8,9
A true Christian believes and puts into practice what Jesus said as recorded by Matthew,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” 
          Matthew 7:1,2
A true Christian will obey the words of Jesus who when asked,
 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 
                                                                                                Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus also saying,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?"  
Matthew 5:43-46
A true Christian will show love to all people. They will know what Christian Love is as defined by the apostle Paul and practice it. Paul writing,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”  
                                                                                             1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
A true Christian will take the advice of Francis of Assisi who said,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
                                                                                             Francis of Assisi.
Finally a true Christian will respect you and your beliefs while at the same time presenting their beliefs to you for your consideration.
We Christians believe we have the most important message in the history of mankind. One that has eternal consequences.
That is why a true Christian will respectfully present their beliefs to you.
That message being in the words of Jesus,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” 
                                                                                                          John 3:16-18
Please take time to consider what I have said.