July 10, 2023

Real Christianity

“She said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world.’”  John 11:27 (NASB)

             In a world with some many people claiming to be Christian, it is shocking how little conform to the teachings of Jesus Christ. “According to the latest report from the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, a full 69% of U.S. adults self-identify as Christian. Yet, a closer look at this large swath of the American population reveals their professed ‘Christian’ faith is built on disturbingly shaky theological foundations… Many don’t even acknowledge Jesus Christ as savior among their theological beliefs. They also look more to feelings, experiences, and family and friends than the Bible for moral guidance. A full 58% contend the Holy Spirit is not a real, living being and 57% embrace the concept of Karma And only 9% of this large population of self-identified Christians actually possess a biblical worldview, according to new research from George Barna, CRC Director of Research. Barna explained that the broader self-conception of the Christian faith adopted by almost 70% of American adults tends to dilute and distort the cultural understanding of what constitutes Christianity. The survey results clearly demonstrate how careful you have to be when interpreting data associated with a particular segment of people who are labeled as Christians,”[1] Clearly the problem for most is defining what a Christian really is today.

            “Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God…” Martha usage of the Greek word pisteuō; meaning to believe, or entrust.[2] It comes from the Greek root word, pistis. In defining pistis, a word surfaces in the meaning of “proof.” When Martha told Jesus she had believed, she told Him there was proof of her belief in Him as the Christ, the Son of God. Her belief was not founded on shaky belief systems of today. It was not something that morally guided her in belief. It was clearly defined. It was entrusting Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. She did more, however, than just believe. He was the Christ. The word derives from Greek Christos, which translates Hebrew Messiah (John 1:41). Both terms come from verbs meaning “to anoint with sacred oil”; hence as titles they mean “the anointed one.” The term “the Son of God,” refers to the relationship to God, and hundreds of other titles specific in His ministry. Martha saw Jesus as both. One who came anointed by God, and in complete relationship to God.

            I heard a pastor winding down in his message this week. He said something I was really glad to hear. He told the men who were listening, “Be sure of your salvation.” He also said, “If there is nothing that happened since your decision, chances are nothing happened.” It couldn’t have been said plainer. Be sure today folks. Martha had no doubt when Jesus asked her, “Do you believe this?” She answered unswervingly, “Yes, Lord; I have believed.” Can you say that today with complete certainty? Take a good long inventory of your life. If it hasn’t changed since your decision, maybe nothing happened. Don’t get caught in eternity wondering why you didn’t.

[1] https://www.arizonachristian.edu/2021/08/31/crc-report-finds-nearly-70-of-americans-claim-to-be-christian-but-what-does-that-mean/.

[2] Thomas, R. L. (1998). In New American Standard Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek dictionaries : updated edition. Foundation Publications, Inc.