Signs of Christianity

Signs of Christinity

38Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. (Matt 12:38)

People were always looking for a sign from Jesus. But, of course, that is not what they really wanted; for when Jesus gave them the very sign He had promised them ( His resurrection), they denied it and covered it up. [1] [2]

Elijah gave plenty of signs in his day. And Moses showed his signs and wonders. God led them (the Hebrews) by pillars of fire and cloud - but nothing did any good because they still constantly rebelled against God and the miracle workers. [3] [4] [5] [6]

Mankind hasn't changed at all, we still seek a sign that we can reject. One grand example of this is God's greatest miracle, and that is His creation - which modern man with all his "intellect" denies and claims it was all an "accident." [7] [8]

The question has been asked, and I'm quite sure you have heard it, "If you were put on trial as a Christian; would there be enough evidence to convict you?"

Most Christians I am certain would have to say "No." And, in fact, most Christians probably wouldn't be recognized as one by their fellow workers, students or friends.

But let's say that you were placed on trial; what signs would a Judge look for?

SIGNS OF CHRISTIANITY

1. TRAFFIC. 13Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. ( Mat 7:)

Look around you. Does it appear that everyone is going your way? Do most people agree with you when it comes to your beliefs? Are you ridiculed or condemned by the world? [9]

Jesus walked alone and was cast out by his "church" friends and even his family (who tried to get Him to "conform" to society, which also meant the church of that day). Though thousands followed Him when He went where they wanted Him to go, and when He gave them what they wanted, and said what they wanted to hear; they all turned away when His path veered from theirs. [10] [11] [12] [13]

Although millions were willing to leave Egypt (even many Egyptians) with Moses, only two made it through their Wilderness experience into the Promised Land. And they, too, had to suffer the penalty of rebellion along with the rebellious ones (and then they had to battle their way in to the Promised Land). [14] [15] [16] [17] [18]

For over a thousand years the church was in darkness with only Catholicism to follow (which the people often blended with their own idolatrous worship) because to do otherwise meant to be killed as a heretic. [19]

When anyone raised their head in order to try and correct the errors of the church, their heads were cut off.

In these latter days, which we are clearly told that the church will be corrupt [20] it is reported that 86% or so of Americans claim to be Christians. So Christianity in itself does not appear to be the "Narrow Road" that Jesus spoke of. But of course, they don't all go to your church, so perhaps that is the detail that will narrow the field. If that is your assumption, consider this. All Denominations are an offshoot of the original Protestant rebellion. And the original rebellious Denomination is an offshoot of Catholicism. Catholicism itself has broken down into many "isms." and all those "isms" are an offshoot of the original Catholic church that had become so corrupt that it had to be changed.

Are you really going to bet your Eternal soul on a banner that has been tacked over the door of the church you have chosen? Especially considering that churches are dividing faster and faster until it must appear in God's perspective like Atomic Fission?

2. HEART 9The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 10I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings (Jer 17:)

The Bible tells us that we are born with a wicked and foolish heart that thinks only of itself. We are also told that we are rebellious to God and His will for us. And to stop all arguments, we are also told that anyone who denies that they are this way is a "Liar." [21] [22] [23]

Signs which indicate that we are right with our heart include our attitudes toward our fellow man; and if we are less concerned with our own desires and needs than those of others. Another clue is our need to satisfy our ego (Pride). [24] [25] [26]

Then to complicate matters even more, we are told that it doesn't matter what we do, how perfect we try to be, that it will avail us nothing if our gesture is performed with anything less than Love. Here we question - "How can I know that what I am doing for others is out of Love, or for some other reason? Isn't just doing it proof that I love?" [27]

(An example that comes to mind is a mother who gives her kid a 2,000 dollar computer to get the kid off her back; and a Grandmother who gives her a little rag doll, a replica of the one she always wanted as a child, and that she spent 6 months making by hand just for that child.)

3. SACRIFICE 6For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings (Hos 6:6)

1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Rom 12:)

Did you sacrifice your morning coffee and toast this morning? Did you do a good deed for someone today? Did you read a couple chapters of the Bible every day and go to church on Sunday? Then I suppose you are fulfilling God's desire for each of us to "Sacrifice." [28]

Jesus sacrificed His life, as did the Apostles, and the early Christians, and the Martyrs, and the Christians in Asia and Africa and throughout the world today. When Jesus selects the ones to be with Him in Eternity, if it comes down to a matter of sacrifice, how do you think your cup of coffee will hold up? [29] [30] [31] [32]

Of course we are told at church that sacrifice means to say "Ok, I'm yours," but from that point on just hope Jesus can keep up with us as we go about our Dailey life, and to be there when we get ourself into trouble.

How do you feel about that? How do you think Jesus equates your sacrifice for Him held up against His sacrifice for you?

Of course, there's more to it than just the quality or the quantity of sacrifice. If that were not so, than the Buddhist monks who set themself on fire, and those men who flew our own airplanes into the Two Towers will have it all over us on Judgement Day. So then, if it's not our works, nor our sacrifices, that make a difference - what does? [33]

4. HOLY SPIRIT 19What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1Cor 6:20)

My guess is that the road will become very narrow and sparsely traveled at this point where all have veered off except those who have the Holy Spirit. Now I know that we are told the moment we say the "Sinners Prayer" we are instantly made Christians, Saved forever no matter what we do, even if we deny Jesus and become the worst drunk and criminal in the world. And I know we are also taught that everyone who has gone to the alter has received the Holy Spirit and can never become "lost" or unsaved. [34]

Assuming that we have been told correctly, it brings several questions to my mind. If God is willing to take those rotten people who come to Him when they are in deepest despair, then turn their back on Him when they've got their feet on the ground - why then did He bother to come down here and die such a horrible death? Why did He kick Adam and Eve out of the garden for just eating an apple? Why did He destroy the Israelites in the wilderness, and kill those who just picked up sticks on the Sabbath, or those who just sassed their parents? Why didn't He just flood the world with His Holy Spirit and take everyone in, if He doesn't mind living with those who we down here can't stand to be around and want to keep locked up? [35] [36] [37] [38] [39]

And another thing - what about all the do's and don'ts He has filled His Word with, much of which He spoke Himself, or had His Apostles speak for Him? [40]

And why do those who do the most for Him, like the Apostles and the Martyrs, suffer the worst deaths and live the hardest lives? [41]

Now, me, if I was a sinner who wanted to reap the benefits of being a Christian, but keep my old rotten lifestyle, and saw how the church works - I would just go to church once, say the sinner's prayer, get my ticket to Heaven punched - and go back to the bar I staggered out of, or the porno shop next door to it. [42]

But, who am I to challenge the Doctrines of great Theologians throughout the centuries. Mine is just one viewpoint, and a very unpopular one at that. [43]

But, come to think of it; so was Jesus'. [44]

Now being different is not a sign of correctness. Far from it. If that were the case, than all the cults would be "right on," and there would be more Moonies in Heaven than Baptists.

All that aside, from my own experience; I find there is nothing in this world that I want any more. There are some things, of course, that occasionally have a draw for me. But the inner peace and the joy I feel from staying just as close to Jesus' ankles as I can get, I wouldn't sacrifice for any thing in this world!

As for the Holy Ghost, I know He has been leading me, and clearing away the obstacles and rubbish I have piled in front of myself in His effort to get me to "turn around" (repent) from my Ego and "things." And though it took me thirty years from my "conversion," and a life filled with anything that I wanted - I finally cried out "Where is the Peace you promised!" [45] [46] [47]

At that moment my life changed, and I could tell I had the Holy Spirit in me. At that moment the Bible made sense to me. At that moment I wanted to do nothing but serve the Lord. And at that moment I understood what "Peace in the Valley of the Shadow of Death" meant, and I finally had full certainty that I was accepted as well as acceptable for Heaven and the Presence of the Lord. [48] [49] [50] [51]

[Coming soon to this website: SIGNS OF CHURCHIANITY ]

REFERENCES

Signs of Christianity - References in Brief

Signs of Christianity - Study Page 1

Signs of Christianity - Study Page 2

[ The True Test for Christianity: When Christians are told they must renounce Christ, or stand before a firing squad. [52]

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