The title is pretty much self-explanatory, and it's a thought that has really resonated in my mind the past few days. I just returned on Monday evening from the Guthrie campmeeting, and I received a lot of good from the meeting, hopefully some of which I will share later on. But this particular thought came to me following the meeting and has been a great challenge to me, so I've decided to share it with all of you, too.
What is a Christian? Of course, the simple definition of a Christian is someone justified of their sins by Christ's shed blood. But, I'd like to make the comparison to a sports fan. A sports fan is someone who enjoys sports and has an invested interest in a particular team or player. They have an enthusiasm for that. They pay close attention to what the team or athlete does. They often buy apparel that is representative of "their" team or player. As a Christian, we should share some of the same characteristics of a sports fan. We should have enthusiasm for our life of serving God. We should pay close attention to the things Jesus did on earth and the things he taught us. Likewise, we should be adorned with his characteristics, and should put on the whole armor of God.
Some fans have such an attachment to their team or player that that is the focal point of their life. Christ should be the primary focus of our lives as well, and it's important that we make Him our priority. There's a verse in 2 Corinthians 3:3 that says:
"Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart."
There is so much in this verse, but the part I would like to bring out is the way it indicates Christians should be identified. We are "manifestly declared" to be Christians or servants of God, but why? What causes that connection in the minds of those around us? Sure, going to church, saying "I'm a Christian," and putting a fish bumper sticker on your car are indicators. But this verse makes clear that is not what determines our faith. It isn't with ink that we are justified, but by the Spirit of the living God working in our lives. We have it written on the tables of our hearts. We are adorned by the characteristics of Christ. That is ultimately what makes us who we are. It's about the application of what we've learned making its way to the depths of our heart and finding a home there. Actively writing the truths and instruction we've received in our heart is how we can be manifestly declared epistles of Christ. In 2 Corinthians 3:1, it asks "Do we begin again to commend ourselves?" We don't celebrate ourselves, our life is a testimony in itself if our heart is filled with the things of God. It portrays Christ.
This was a great challenge to me. I've returned from a meeting fully saturated with truth, wisdom, and instruction. I want to make the best use of that to write truth on the tables of my heart. So many times I have heard messages preached, taken notes, and thought "Wow, that was good." But ultimately, it means nothing for my spiritual exercise if I don't apply the principles to my life and in my heart. That's what it really means to be a Christian. Salvation is only the first step. God has real purpose for our lives, and to humble down to His perfect will and allow Him to work in our life is the plan He has for all of us, transforming our heart from a stony, legalistic, and life governed by law to a soft, fleshy, Spirit-filled life led by faith. It's a process I want to continue in, because I know that of my own strength, I can't keep myself saved and pleasing to the Lord. I'm comforted by this verse in 1 Corinthians 15:58 that says:
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."
We're instructed to be stable and unchanged by outside influences. We can only do that by letting the Spirit work in us. Our labor for Godly things and for His will are not without profit, reward, or importance. It's worth it. Christ has much in store for us, and if we remain "stedfast, unmovable" and "always abounding," we'll continue to write good things on the tables of our hearts. We'll continue to be a pleasing and acceptable servant to God, and He'll bless us for that. We are not in vain. I want campmeeting experiences to be a boost to my spiritual life, not just a crutch for my salvation. I want them to be a profit to my soul, and I know that sometimes takes adjusting my priorities. I desire your prayers to allow God to help me apply things I've learned to my heart so that I can be worthy of the label "Christian."
Keep encouraged!
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