Christianity vs Selfianity

What is Christianity?

The practice of the Christian Religion: based on the person and teachings of Jesus Christ

Following article from Holman’s Bible Dictionary

CHRISTIAN The Greek suffix -ianos was originally applied to slaves. It came to denote the adherents of an individual or party. A Christian is a slave or adherent of Christ; one committed to Christ; a follower of Christ. The word is used three times in the NT. Believers “were first called Christians in Antioch” because their behavior, activity, and speech were like Christ ( HCSB). Agrippa responded to Paul’s witness, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian” ( NKJV). He spoke of becoming an adherent of Christ. Peter stated that believers who suffer as a Christian are to do so for the glory of God (). A Christian is one who becomes an adherent of Christ, whose daily life and behavior facing adversity is like Christ.

Darrell W. Robinson

So according to this definition:

Christians are adherents of Christ

Christians are committed to Christ

Christians are followers of Christ

Christians have Behavior, activity and speech that is like Christ

A Christian’s daily life and behavior facing adversity is like Christ

Do you see the pattern here?

Christianity is about Jesus Christ

He is the central theme

He is the Lord

He is the beginning and the end

He is the alpha and the Omega

He is the root and the offspring

He is the Door

He is the Way

He is the Bread of life

He is the author and the finisher

He is the High priest

He is the savoir

He is the star

He is the Prince of Peace

He is the Master

He is the Lord

He is the King of Kings

He is the foundation

He is the Redeemer

He is Immanuel

He is The Almighty God

He is “I AM”

In all things He must have preeminence

We love Him, worship Him, Praise Him, and Imitate Him.

This Word “Christian” is used only 3 times in the new testament - to describe us Who follow Him.

Acts 11:26 NKJV

And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Acts 26:28 NKJV

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”

1 Peter 4:16 NKJV

Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

Christianity comes with benefits and responsibilities

So far in this series we have only skimmed the surface of the benefits and responsibilities of Christianity

Both are extensive and immeasurable

Biblical Prosperity

God desires to “prosper” you

He desires to give you good things

One of the benefits of Christianity is that it is His good pleasure to give us the kingdom of heaven

This includes our physical and material needs

There are biblical principles that come with this prosperity

Biblical Faith

We discussed biblical faith which includes more than just mental ascent or acknowledgement of a truth

believing to the point of action

Believing to the receiving of miracles

Biblical faith is requires to please God

Biblical Salvation

The state of being in right relationship with God

receiving forgiveness of sins and acceptance in Him - through faith

Everlasting Life

“Sozo” includes health, healing, a change of heart and new life

Biblical Evangelism

A responsibility of Christianity

Although it is a responsibility, the desire to accept it is the natural result of salvation

Paul said he “was a debtor” concerning this

We are all commanded to go and make disciples

One who is not concerned about evangelism might well be advised to “examine himself”

Biblical Repentance

Turning from our sins

turning toward Jesus Christ

Must include Sorrow over sin, change of mind, and change of course or actions

Biblical repentance must include all three

repentance is a responsibility of Christianity - required for salvation

repentance is a continuing obligation of all Christians

Christianity is evidenced by Love and forgiveness

Perhaps more than any other characteristics, Biblical Christianity is evidenced by genuine love and genuine forgiveness

If we do not forgive we cannot be Christians

This is a theme that Jesus communicated clearly, yet the pseudo Christians of today’s culture will give you a million excuses to hold on to their grudges

Mark 11:26 NKJV

26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

mark11.2

Mark 11:25–26 NKJV

25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

Matthew 18:30–35 NKJV

30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

Matthew 18:34–35 NKJV

34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

mat18.

Matthew 18:23–28 NKJV

23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. 28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’

mat18.

Likewise Love is both a benefit and responsibility of Christians

He gives us the capacity to love - this is a wonderful benefit

If we cannot love one another, we cannot be Christian

this is evidenced by many scriptures including these

jn 13.30-40

John 13:36 NKJV

Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.”

John 13:30–38 NKJV

30 Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night. 31 So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. 32 If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately. 33 Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” 36 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.” 37 Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.” 38 Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times.

1 John 4:18 NKJV

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

John 13:34–35 NKJV

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

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jn13.30.3

1 John 4:7–8 NKJV

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

1jn4

1 John 4:20–21 NKJV

20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

1jn4.

This is a real problem among pseudo Christians who dominate the American Church today

many people flock to the places of worship, sing songs and even give in the offering, but do they really love each other?

Do you really love the people here among you?

How much do you love each other?

So many people here in America have reduced Christianity to a “program”, or a club

Consider Francis Chan story

Jesus Christ is the “everything” of Christianity

If we can keep Jesus at the center then

we will have faith

we will have the kingdom

a right attitude of repentance

desire to evangelize

love and forgiveness

and so much more

People have become lovers of self

A Problem exists, that people, Christians, have become lovers of self, even more than lovers of God

This we have been forewarned about

2 Timothy 3:1–5 NKJV

1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

Paul is warning us (Christians) sternly here concerning things to come in these last days

He is not warning about the people of the world here, not the unbelievers

He is warning us about the church, the so called “Christians”

These people “Have a from of Godliness” - not atheists, Hindus, and Buddhists

These are the pseudo-Christians of today

Consider the following excerpt from “Radical, Taking back your faith from the American Dream” -By David Platt

“We live in a church culture that has a dangerous tendency to disconnect the grace of God from the glory of God. Our hearts resonate with he idea of enjoying God’s grace. We bask in sermons, conferences, and books that exalt a grace centering on us. And while the wonder of grace is worthy of our attention, if that grace is disconnected from its purpose, the result is a self centered Christianity that bypasses the heart of God.

If you were to ask the average Christian sitting in a worship service on Sunday morning to summarize the message of Christianity, you would most likely hear something along the lines of “The message of Christianity is that God loves me”. Or someone might say “The message of Christianity is that God loves me enough to send His son, Jesus, to die for me.”

As wonderful as this sentiment sounds, is it biblical? Isn’t it incomplete, based on what we’ve seen in the bible? “God love me” is not the essence of Biblical Christianity. Becasue if “God loves me” is the message of Christianity, then who is the object of Christianity?

“God loves me”

“Me”

Christianity’s object is me.

Therefore, when I look for a church, I look for the music that best fits me and the programs that best cater to me and my family. When I make plans for my life and career, it is about what works best for me and my family. when I consider the house I will live in, the car I drive, the clothes I wear, the way I will live, I will choose according to what is best for me. This is the version of Christianity that largely prevails in our culture.

But it is not biblical Christianity.

The message of Christianity is not “God love me, period”, as if we were the object of our own faith. The message of biblical Christianity is “God loves me so that I might make Him - His ways, His salvation, His glory, and His greatness - known among all nations.” Now God is the object of our faith, and Christianity centers around Him. We are not the end of the gospel; God is.

End Quote

End Quote

we can see the evidence of this everywhere in today's church culture

churches compete with each other like businesses

even if their pastors don’t the members do

people are “proud” of their churches because of their programs, or their talents

why some people are so proud of the size of their churches and its programs that they look down on smaller churches

some people are even embarrassed to invite friends to their churches if it doesn’t “measure up” in status or size

I’ve even heard people say they want to invite people, but want to wait until the church is “ready”, until the talent is better, or the programs are better, etc.

as if we were the object of our

I even catch myself thinking this way

we are even so arrogant as to think that the “spirit” being manifest has something to do with he skill of the worshippers or the eloquence of the speaker more than the faith of the people or the fervency of their prayers

We have a calling and a purpose here - let’s fulfill it for the glory of God and the Lord Jesus Christ

Are you being used for His glory, or being entertained for your own satisfaction

Who is the object of your faith?

Be Christians not Selfians

We must resist the “me at the center” selfianity of today

It is the fulfillment of prophecy -

we must make certain we are not on the wrong side of it

The only way to keep Jesus Christ as the object of your faith is to deny your “self”

Say no to self and yes to Him

A right understanding of biblical Christianity can be described in

Colossians 1:16–20 NKJV

16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

When we place Jesus Christ 1st in our lives in this way, giving Him preeminence in every area, then:

We have peace with God through Him, through the blood of His cross

We partake with Him, of all this fullness of God which is in Him

we are reconciled to God through Him

released from the power of sin

overcomers of strongholds, addictions, poverty, emotional distress, bitterness, sickness, wrong attitudes, anger, wrath and malice, and every other thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God

Further described:

Colossians 1:21–23 NKJV

21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Colossians 1:22–23 NKJV

22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

col1.

That’s right, these are benefits of true biblical Christianity

too many pseudo Christians are claiming to have victory in their “me first” version of religion

yet they are still in bondage to these wicked works

still aliens of God in their minds -

relapsing into sin, poverty, all the things of the world that Christ redeemed us from

claiming freedom but still enslaved

And so many are still in their sins - and deceived

But when Jesus Christ is the object of your faith - and you can know this by faith

Then you are forgiven

you who were once alienated are reconciled

wicked works are forgiven

you are “Holy” , “blameless”, and “above reproach” in His sight

“If indeed you continue in the faith”

Continue - don’t stop