The Christian of today is generally a "conditionally" oriented individual. Notice all the errors in that sentence? There are no Christians of "today". At least not if you are truly living for Jesus and not living for yourself. There is criteria that you can use to check out where you are. We'll get to those in a moment. Second mistake: "generally" doesn't make the grade. There is criteria that you can use to check out where you are. We'll get to those in a moment. Then; "conditionally oriented" pops up! If it's not Jesus oriented, it's almost always conditional. There is criteria that we can use to check out to see if we are or aren't in the "conditional" category. Finally, in the Christian there can be no individual unless it's Jesus is living in and through you. This too has criteria by which can assess who we really are. Basically, there are those who believe in Jesus (even the devil and his demons believe in Jesus) and there are those who died and now Jesus is living in and through them.
Criteria number 1.
What is your status on Jesus living in you because you have died to sin? Are you someone who was raised in Sunday School, sent to camp, confirmed as a teenager and then went on to live your own life? Do you belong to a group of believers because it's expected of you by your family, community or church? Do you know the Bible better than you know your sports team, favorite beer, and the gossip about the pastor? Have you a prayer life that starts the day, goes through the day and ends the day? Do those around you seek you out because they know you love Jesus?
Criteria number 2
Are you willing to die for your faith. You know, being beheaded in front of your children because you won't deny Christ? Is Jesus the most important focus of your life? Do you worship the prestige of your lofty position? Are you so busy putting together your portfolio that you have no riches in heaven? Do you have a bumper sticker telling others "Jesus loves you" while you flip them off in traffic? Are you willing to see your parents, wives, husbands, children, grandchildren be executed because you won't deny Jesus?
Criteria number 3
Finally, if being a Christian was a crime punishable by death here in the USA; would there be enough evidence to convict and kill you? Or would you be able to get a plea deal for bad behavior or time commuted for whatever reason. Perhaps you would have an excuse for being Jesus to the world. You didn't really mean to heal the sick, feed the hungry or care for the widow and orphan? Maybe, you can rationalize or justify having spoken the Word of God to those who are perishing.
You see, you knew the criteria all along. You knew the consequences of your conditional living and that you aren't really a Christian at all. You are a follower of you. You are the "master of your destiny"! All along you knew you were not Gods child and you pleaded, cajoled, and bargained for your spot in eternity with Jesus. But, now it's to late. He has come and you've been left behind. All you are left with is eternity in hell with your church friends. Remember, it's always your choice.
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