Are You Who You Say You Are?

I think God was trying to get my attention. He started last week in Sunday school. Our class began studying a video series by Craig Groeschel. Groeschel, an author and pastor, calls himself a recovering “Christian Atheist.” He called himself a Christian all his life, but he didn’t always live as if God existed. He says millions of professing Christians fit into that category.

That really got my attention. I believe in God, but do I really know Him?

“Many of us look the part,” Groeschel is quoted in an article for The Christian Post. “Or we think we’re Christian because, you know, it’s not like we’re Buddhists. We believe in God, but our lives don’t reflect who He really is.”

 

If you grew up in church like I did, we may think we’re OK because we go to church every Sunday, pray before meals (if we don’t forget) and occasionally read a chapter in the Bible. We can know about God without ever really surrendering our heart to Him.

 

The Bible says even the demons believe in God. So, obviously there is more to the whole Christian thing than just believing in God, Groeschel points out.

 

He says Christian atheists say, “I believe in God but I want to do whatever the heck I want to do. I want enough of God to keep me out of Hell and enough of God to get me into Heaven, but I don’t want so much of God that it makes me change my lifestyle.”

 

That’s a dangerous mindset. Jesus warns us in Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of Heaven.... Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers!’”

 

How tragic it would be to hear those words, “Depart from me. I never knew you.”

 

Are you really who you say you are? Groeschel hopes those who simply believe in God but live an atheist lifestyle will examine their lives and see that there is a better way to live. God desires an intimate and personal relationship with us, and He requires wholehearted devotion. He doesn’t just want to be in our thoughts. He wants to live in our hearts, too.

Friends

NOTE: I originally wrote this column in 2009 and am re-posting it now as it appeared in The Pampa News last week.

You can make a difference in someone's life by being a friend. As followers of Christ, we're called to help the widows and the needy and to encourage each other. Proverbs 17:17 says a friend loves at all times and is willing to share in adversity.

 

People come into and out of our lives all the time. We should cherish the time we have with our family, our friends and others in our lives because we never know how much time we'll have with them. I think of a few of those who have made a difference in my life by being a friend:

 

I think of that friend from childhood who didn't look at my differences but just wanted to spend time with me. Our differences didn't matter to him when we were riding bikes together (or when we crossed that highway we weren't supposed to cross). We just had fun.

 

I think of that high school teacher who devoted extra time to help me develop my writing skills. She saw something in me that no one else saw and worked to bring it out in me.

 

I think of the one in college who was a true friend to me during the loneliest time of my life. When no one else was around, he was there to listen and encourage me. He was in my life for just a short season, but I will remember him for a lifetime.

 

I think of that college professor. He pushed me to try harder and go further, and that has made all the difference. He could be hard on me at times, but I needed that. I wouldn't be where I am today if not for him.

 

I think of that friend who sat by me in church. This simple act of kindness meant so much to me and showed me that someone does care.  I think of the Sunday school teacher who taught me who I am in Christ. He showed me the meaning of John 10:10 and what it means to live life to the full. My life has been made richer because of him.

 

I think of that family who reached out to me. This very special family is a true example of what it means to be Christlike. I am honored to know them.

 

And there have been many others who, whether they realized it or not, have had a definite impact on my life. I thank God for these, and I pray that I can be that kind of friend to them and to others.

Remember God While You're Young

I've always tried to live life in the moment. Living with the physical limitations caused by cerebral palsy, I learned to take nothing for granted. I want to live each day to the fullest, making the most of every moment God gives me.

When I was young (or at least younger), I saw each day as a great adventure. I would jump on my three-wheel bicycle and head out to explore the neighborhood. There seemed to be no limit to the things I could do, except maybe my parents' summons to be home before dark!

The older I get, though, I am quickly realizing I can't do some of the things I did when I was younger. I guess that's true for all of us. Time takes its toll on our bodies.

This should remind us that everything in this world is temporary. Nothing lasts. Our bodies and even our homes in this world are only temporary. It is only beyond this life that we will receive our permanent home. That home will either be with God in heaven, or it will be separated from God forever in hell.

Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 is a pointed narrative that describes how a young person becomes old, and, in the end, that person dies. It teaches us that we should remember God before we are too old to appreciate His goodness.

 

 

The writer of Ecclesiastes urges us not to delay. He says the right time to remember God is now. Then, you can remain grateful to Him for the rest of your life. Troubles will certainly happen to all of us, but we can't let these hard times cause us to forget God or to neglect our relationship with Him.

 

 

 

If you are young, remember God’s kindness now! Give your life to Him; do your best to serve Him all the days of your life. But if you're getting older, you still have a duty to serve God. Love God with your whole heart and trust Him completely. Remember, He created you, and He loves and cares for you.

 

 

We must remember God! After death, He will be our judge; so we must have a right relationship with Him today.