The world hates Christians since Satan is the prince of the power of the air. It's been relatively easy to be a Christian in America since its founding over 200 years ago. This is not the case as we saw in the recent school shooting in Oregon. In God's Word, we are promised that we will be persecuted for our faith. If you were asked if you were a Christian and knew you would be shot if you answered yes, what would you answer?
There have been many surface, cowardly Christians in our country as witnessed by some of the "preaching" on TV and as we look at the lives of many who call themselves Christians. They claim to be Christians but their lives speak of a different gospel; the gospel of the world, not of God. If you call yourself a Christian, others should be able to look at the fruit of your life and be able to tell for faith without works is dead.
When the God of the universe sends His Spirit to live inside of someone who confesses the name of Jesus, transformation and conviction of sin begins taking place. Sure, you may not be as godly as you would like right at this moment but you are better than you were before you were saved with saving faith. Once we truly believe, we are new creatures in Christ and He begins to work mightily within us.
When we went to a conference with the Pearls many years ago, Michael said he was glad pornography was becoming prevalent because it would show the true Christians from the make-believe Christians. True Christians hate sin and do everything they can to rid it in their lives; confessing it, praying to be healed and being held accountable. A make-believe Christian continues living in his or her sin in secret and has no desire to give it up.
The Word states that Christians are salt and light to a dark generation. They hate what is evil and cling to what is good. They have put off their old and wicked man by the blood of Jesus and put on their new man; clothed in righteousness by Christ's work on the cross. They are clothed in Christ and exhibit Christ in their lives. You cannot say you believe, yet live a life full of sin. It's impossible.
Therefore, if you would say you are a cowardly Christian: get on your knees; confess your sins; believe in the finished worked of Christ on the cross; be in the Word consistently; fellowship with other believers and grow in the wisdom and knowledge of Him, before it is too late. You don't want to be one of those who Christ looks at you and says He never knew you.
As you grow in Jesus, you know, without a doubt you would NEVER deny your precious Lord. You can't lose this way. If you suffer because of evil men or in any other way, you are a witness to the world of your faith in the most High God and shine like a lighthouse in a stormy sea. In all my years of suffering, I could NEVER give up my Jesus for I am His and He is mine.
Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour.
Isaiah 43:1-2
***Read Colossians 1 slowly and meditate on it.
***Read Colossians 1 slowly and meditate on it.
