Back to the Basics Series:
(Revisiting Key Teachings of Jesus on What Christianity is) — I
The word “Christian” or “Christianity” has come to mean different things to different people in today’s world. Some claim to be Christians just because they were born and raised in a “Christian home.” Many prefer to be identified by their denominations — as Baptists, Episcopals, Anglicans, Catholics, etc. rather than simply being Christian.
Others are turning their back on long-time friends and acquittances over newly fangled concepts and doctrinal differences — believing that churches or their leaders are out of step with perceived personal or society’s set of standards. They have turned into advocates of deconstructing the Church and Christianity.
There is so much confusion in the air as to what Christianity is really about, and who is a Christian.
In the US, worshipers are known broadly either as traditional or pentecostal Christians, while others with political ambition seek to take over the rule of the polity under an ideology they call “Christian nationalism.” In other parts of the world Christians are known severally for their special mode of dressing in church, emphasis on warfare prayers, and worship traditions — all external forms and manifestations.
Overall, there is a broad spectrum of religious institutional frameworks within which an individual can practice his or her faith. Remarkably, each of the denominations and groupings claims they are the true church or body of believers. Some groups and writers now seek to make a distinction between themselves and others with such qualifications as “true Church” and “Biblical Christians.”
Taking a close look at the Scriptures, we seek to clarify some of the issues at stake by referencing Jesus’ teachings on specific topics about what it means to be Christlike. In other words, to show who is a Christian and why it matters to live our lives in obedience to Christ’s command. Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits” (Matt.7:15–20).
Let’s go.
The Great Dialogue!
The Gospel of John chapter 8 is instructive of Jesus’ own idea of who are his true followers (Christians) during one of his encounters with a prominent religious sect of his day— the Pharisees.
We highlight only the salient points of the encounter here:
Vv.12 -16 “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.” Jesus answered. “Even if I testify on my own behalf my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going.”
“You judge by human standards.” He said to them.
That was the problem with the Pharisees, and the problem with us today. We judge others by our flawed human standards. “But If I do judge,” Jesus continued, “my decisions are true because I am not alone, I stand with the Father who sent me.” We are human so it’s no big deal we use human standards. The difference is: human standards can be faulted but the Father’s standard cannot be faulted.
Practically, we use our cultural standards in relating to others, and that includes how we perceive our self-worth. Philosopher J.J. Rousseau said, “man was born free, but he’s everywhere in chains.” Mankind continues to wallow in cultural chains. We think our cultural-ethical value is it. We are right; they are wrong; End of story.
V.21 “Once more Jesus said to them “I am going away and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come.”
Loaded!
Jesus said, in other words, you had better get it right now. Time is of the essence. Time is short. “I am going to leave you shortly.” Isaiah had cried out “Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.” (Isaiah 55:6). “I am going away and you will look for me.” Then it will be too late. Because I will be out of your reach, “You will die in your sin” — eternally separated from my Father and me, Jesus warned.
V.23 “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.”
A huge gap of differences here — in domain, citizenship, ethics, standards, vision, language, understanding, etc.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are your ways my ways.” As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8–9).
Paul wrote to the Corinthian Christians: “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinth.2:14).
For emphasis, Jesus warned the Pharisees and the Jews, “If you do not believe that I am he (Messiah), you will indeed die in your sin.”
Jesus is saying that anyone — Jews or Gentiles — who do not believe he is the promised Messiah who came and laid down his life for his or her sins, will die in their sins — Period.
Who is A Christian?: The Knitty-gritty of following Jesus.:
Still on Jesus’ encounter with the Pharisees and the Jews: Jesus made a couple of statements that brought into focus the gap in Jesus’ messaging and the understanding of the Jews.
In John 8:31 we read, “To the Jews who had believed him,” Jesus is now addressing those who believe him — the new converts, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.” It is one thing to profess Christianity, it is another to hold to Christ’s teaching.
Walking in Christ’s teaching is the step to being his disciple. It is what leads one to know the truth. “Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” Freedom comes from knowing the gospel truth and living within the truth revealed in the Scriptures. Disciples are those who reflect Christ’s image (Christlike) in their daily lives. They are Christians — set free indeed.
“They answered him, “we are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves to anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”
False!
Descendants of Abraham were slaves in Egypt for over 400 years before they were delivered and later occupied Canaan land — after wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. They were taken into captivity by the Babylonians and the Assyrians. For 70 years they served the Babylonians as slaves as punishment for their rebellion against Yahweh. Historically their claims were untrue.
But they did not get it. Jesus was talking about their present spiritual bondage to tradition and the letter of the Law. There is physical slavery, and there is spiritual bondage.
Jesus’ mission on earth was to set humanity free from the guilt of sin and eternal condemnation. He told them: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
Jesus was not unmindful of the lies of the Jews about never being slaves to anyone. He replied by addressing the sin of lying: “Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” Now a slave has no permanent place in the family but a son belongs to it forever…”
Tied to their claim of being the children of Abraham, he said, “if you were Abraham’s children, then you would do what Abraham did.” Abraham lived by faith in the word of God, the Father and it was counted on him as righteousness. There was nothing in their actions that suggests they are truly children of Abraham. Rather, their lying tongues and plan to kill point in the direction of the devil as their father.
The exchanges ended with Jesus saying that his language is not clear to them because they did not belong to God. He also said to them: “If God were your Father you would love me…” “If you love me, you will obey my command.” Jesus was very blunt with them. He said, “You belong to your father the devil…”He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth for there is no truth in him. When he lies he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” — and of liars. (vv.31–44).
Jesus says lying is the native language of the devil. So habitual liars speak their native language.
To continue: Part II — Walking in Spirit: The Christian life.
