Are You Really A Christian?

Now there's a great question. There's nothing like challenging your faith. There are always times where we ask ourselves that question. Times like... you walk into a room where you know people should be, and nobody is there. You think to yourself something like "Crap! I hope I didn't miss the rapture!" Yeah, its kinda funny to share those stories, but take a moment to look back at what you just thought. I hope I didn't miss the rapture. You've just questioned your Christianity. There's verses that state that once you're a believer, you're always a believer, and that we have peace through that (Romans 5:1). We are secure in Christ, and we're not going to miss out on the rapture, so why do we think that?

Sometimes I think some terribly wicked thought, and I slap myself and think "I can't believe I just thought that. How can a Christian think something so horrible? If I do think that, does that mean I'm not a Christian?" Then I go about trying to prove to myself that I'm a Christian.

I think about this passage: 22 Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he went, always pressing on toward Jerusalem.23 Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” He replied,24 “Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail.25 When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. You will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Lord, open the door for us!’ But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’26 Then you will say, ‘But we ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’27 And he will reply, ‘I tell you, I don’t know you or where you come from. Get away from me, all you who do evil.’

Luke 13:22-27 (NLT)

So you're telling me that there are those who claim to be Christians, and they fully believe they are... but in reality they aren't? Oh man, I hope I'm not one of them! Thereabouts I begin to try to prove to myself that I'm one of the real Christians.

At this point of typing my blog up, I stopped and asked my friend to read it. I asked him if these were legitimate questions, and if I was the only one who was thinking this. He said he never questioned his faith in God, and suggested that I look at some scripture to help me think through this.

So that was actually really discouraging. Maybe I am the only one who has thought this stuff. So I sat there for a little bit, just kinda discouraged... and started playing the snake game for awhile. Then I decided to go make myself some turkey, and read James (it's due for class tomorrow).

So I was in the PK eating my delicious turkey, corn bread, and some Sun Chips, and began reading away... not really expecting much. But man did I get a handful of verses. I wasn't even seeking verses to help me in my questions, but I sure got a ton of them. James is definitely my new favorite book. Maybe some of these verses don't sound like encouragement to you, but they were to me. They were motivating, and gave me a greater sense of security.

But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (1:6)
but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. (1:14)
¹⁶Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. ¹⁷Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
²¹Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. ²²Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
¹⁸But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. ¹⁹You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
³When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. ⁴Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. ⁵Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. ⁶The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
¹⁶Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

These verses just jumped out at me. It was like God sitting right next to me, looking me and the face, and just unloading it all at me. I feel God yanking on my heart, getting my attention, and prompting me to grow. I love it!