TEACHING

Don Atkin

BASIS FOR AUTHENTIC CHRISTIANITY

Many Americans believe that they are Christians because they were born in a Christian nation. Others believe that they must be Christians because they are not Jews. Still others believe that they are Christians because they were born to Christian parents - they are a Christian family. And, still others hold that, since they are church members, they must be Christians.

Sadly, this has watered down the witness of the Church worldwide. It has nullified our effectiveness, and has practically eliminated our influence. Statistics on numbers of Christians normally include membership figures from various denominations. Some, but not all, would pass the following test.

When we biblically evaluate the ecclesia, the called-out ones, we come up with smaller numbers. However, doing so expands our potential for witness, effectiveness and influence!

TEST THE SPIRITS

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. - I John 4:1-3

There is more to this than saying words! John continues,

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. - Verse 4

We are of God, because Jesus Christ has come in our flesh!

There are many who know about God and talk about God. There are even those who believe that Jesus Christ was God incarnate. But, they still don’t pass the test, because they do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in their flesh.

EXAMINE YOURSELVES

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? - unless indeed you are disqualified.

- II Corinthians 13:5

How much clearer can we be? Unless Jesus Christ is in us, we are disqualified as Christians.

I believe that we need to disqualify some who are basking in a false sense of security, believing that they are Christians for the wrong reason. We need to love enough to speak the truth! These people are lost and without hope in the world - yet they have believed a lie which we have allowed to be perpetuated.

They don’t (yet) know the mystery. It has not yet been revealed to them that,

Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach. - Colossians 1:27-28.

PREACH THE MESSAGE

Our message must include,

Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see 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, 6-7

Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach!

It’s our responsibility to help people realize their lost condition so that they may embrace the truth, receive Jesus as both Lord and Christ, and see the kingdom. It is also our responsibility to build on no other foundation.

This is a serious challenge. It could cost some preachers their jobs. But, can you imagine the stricter judgment that awaits cowardly leaders who value temporal security over the souls of others?

May the spirit of the prophet Jeremiah rise up in us. Hear the words of our Father:

See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant. - Jeremiah 1:10