Two kinds of Christians?

 

Years ago I was actively involved in a Christian writers organization. To join, a statement of faith in Jesus Christ was required. Most people had no problem with that, but one person did. She protested by saying, “You people think there are two kinds of Christians; ordinary ones and those who are born again. She refused to give testimony to a saving knowledge of Jesus.

Now I’m encountering again that confusing idea. I know that there are not two types of faith in Christ. Genuine saving faith is about a changed life, about having a relationship with Jesus that transforms everything. Jesus Himself said it:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ (John 3:3–7)

This and other passages make it clear that this new birth is a work of God. He choses whom He chooses and grants faith and new life.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9)

Many testify to the power of God when this happens. Some even say they tried to resist, but found it impossible to say no to His invitation. However, today I read the following statement:

“We should be eager to trust God for salvation so that He may receive great glory and the whole world may be won to trust Him. If we will not let Him save us, if we reject His care and refuse to feed in His pastures or lie down in His fold, then we will be a starved and shivering flock, sick, wretched, and full of complaints. We will bring dishonor on Him and, by our forlorn condition, hinder the world from coming to Him.”

Those who reject Christ are not part of His flock, not His sheep. Unbelief and rejection are described as goats in other passages and those who appear to be ‘religious’ and do ‘good’ things, but He says to them:

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matthew 7:21–23)

Later Jesus was asked, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” (John 6:28–29) In other words, people can do religious works and have an appearance of being part of God’s family, but without faith and without that new life that He gives. One author says “there are two kinds of Christians: those who sincerely believe in God and those who, just as sincerely, believe that they believe. You can tell them apart by their actions in decisive moments.”

This does not mean perfection in that new life. God also tells me: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 4:30–5:2)

I could behave badly and still be a Christian, yet in the kingdom of God, His saving power is at work to change my behavior to match my status as His child, His sheep, and part of His kingdom. For that, I’m told how that looks and given the desire to cooperate. He works in me to will and to do His will, and all for His glory, not for my comfort.. (Philippians 2:13)

PRAY: Oh Jesus, Yours is a wonderful salvation. I could have tried to be like You on my own — what a joke. Such a thing is impossible without You, without the Father’s love and the Holy Spirit’s power. The reading for today misses the reality that salvation is deeply experiential and existential—very real, very encouraging, and very humbling. I know it’s possible to grieve the Holy Spirit, yet You are so compassionate and forgiving. You do not call me to change myself or anyone else. I’m to be a broken perfume bottle that spreads Your aroma to all around me, without any sort of self-righteousness. May I live in that new life each day and honor You.

Putting God First

When our youngest was very small, I was in the hospital for surgery and talked often with the patient in the next bed. One day she said, “Do you realize you talk more about your little boy than your other two children?”

It was a wake-up for me and I thanked her for this mild rebuke. It helped me be more aware of how my conversation revealed my priorities and that priorities can easily be off-balance.

These days, I’m thinking about MacArthur’s focus on glorifying God. He does it well. Me? Not so well. I’ve concluded this is a matter of the heart. I cannot fake it, nor can I make it happen by practice. The words and actions must just flow out, much like the spontaneous devotion a mom gives to a little one.

It does help to say it in prayer. Jesus told His disciples, “Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name . . . .’” This illustrates the priority God should hold in my prayers. If I do that from the heart, it becomes a priority in other conversations. I cannot fake my prayers.

Today’s devotional points out that this model for prayer begins by exalting the Father, then requesting that the Father’s Kingdom come and His will be done. It concludes also with praise — making most of the prayer about the glory of God.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen (Matthew 6:9–13, last line added in some versions)

Christians know God is in heaven and exalted. Why do we need to say it? What is the point of praising Him, particularly when we come with heavy hearts and serious needs? For one thing, saying “Hallowed be Thy name” exalts the name of the Lord and sets a tone of worship and submission that is sustained throughout the prayer. I find that if I begin and end with what I want from God, I’m not in a frame of mind that thinks of His wisdom and power concerning my requests. With a focus on my needs and without praise for God, my assurance can easily go down the tube. How do I affirm that God hears and answers when all I can think of is what I want Him to do?

On the other hand, if I exalt His name and express love and reverence, my love and sense of trust expands. So does my anticipation about His answer to my prayers, and so does my desire to obey Him.

MacArthur points out that “Your name” is not about a title but about God Himself, the total of who He is. The ancient Hebrew people considered the name of God so sacred that they would not speak it, but that misses the point. Praising His name is about uplifting who He is, not just in words but glorifying Him from the heart.

Jesus said, “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45) This says that what I treasure in my heart will show up in my speech, as if I didn’t already know it. That treasure could be a loved child, but it could also be a host of things other than the wonder of my heavenly Father.

The Bible affirms that God has been revealed in Jesus. He said, “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world . . .” (John 17:6). John 1:14 defines what that means:

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

This is why Jesus could say: “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father . . . . (John 14:9) Philip and all of humanity cannot see God, but we can see His Son and know His glory. Being focused on Jesus rather than on me, myself, and I means a far greater likelihood of glorifying Him. If this is not happening when I pray, it is not likely to happen in the rest of my life either.

Jesus, You are amazing. I’ve been purging unnecessary stuff from my home, and You are telling me to do the same with my mind. Like I decide the value of an item, or where it fits, or if it just gets in the way, I can do the same with inner stuff, like thoughts, preoccupations, ideas and plans. Grant me wisdom for purging my mind, but also fill it with Yourself. You are First — and I must think, talk and behave with that priority. Hallowed be Your name!

FOR THOUGHT: Read Romans 2:17-29. How did the Jews abuse the name of God? What does this suggest about my efforts to honor God’s name?