“What do you do when someone asks you questions about what it means to be a Christian?” My Sunday School teacher asked us often. I was in high school. Honestly, at the time, many claimed to be Christians around me. Rarely did I encounter anyone who presented me with questions about my faith, for the most part.
Only… I also did not realize how deceived I was during those years, either. (See: My Testimony | Legalism, Christian Mysticism, & Seeing My Husband Come To Christ)
There was one time around Christmas, I remember a girl on the school bus shared she had no idea of the story of Christmas, of Christ’s birth. It was completely foreign to her. I do recall that I shared the story of His birth. Sadly, I do not recall if I fully explained sin and why Christ needed to come to the earth, adding a second nature to Himself, becoming the God-Man. But I thought back to the question my Sunday School teacher always asked. “What would you say? Would you be ready?”
I wasn’t as ready as I thought.
2 Timothy 4:02-04
Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
I never realized how false teaching really IS itching to the ears. I used to be under the false teaching of the Seeker-Driven movement. Message after message about me, me, me. I understood little about the Gospel and Christ, just the very basics, the bare minimum. The Lord in His kindness and mercy used what I was familiar with. But I admit, I was led away by much deception because the messages were more about me than Christ. What I did share with others was sadly vague, feelings-based, and blind faith. Deceived, I thought I was spiritually mature, and others around me thought the same, too. Oh, how little we all knew. Praise the Lord for His patience and truth!
Last week, the life application scripture dealt with the various seasons we go through in life and needing the proper discernment to know what to do. We will only have proper wisdom through first understanding our sin and the Gospel message. We need to understand the truth about our Messiah. Otherwise, how in the world can we share the Gospel with others, when we barely understand it ourselves. Please, do not repeat my error.
Scripture warns there will be false christs. People who claim to be Jesus. People who claim they speak to Jesus (and he teaches them how to play the saxophone see: Plea to Michael Brown about Sid Roth). People will seek after teachers who do not talk about sin or the fact salvation reveals the need to repent of our sin. If we have genuine faith in Christ, we will be convicted of our sin and seek forgiveness. True Christianity follows Christ, not the desires of this world. (See: Recommended Websites For False Teachers/Teaching)
Life Application for 2 Timothy 4:02-04
- We must know scripture. Reading and understanding scripture properly is a must. (See: How Does Wisdom & Meditating on Scripture Help Us in Our Life? | God’s Will)
- We are commanded to reprove, rebuke, exhort one another in the truth of God’s word, while being patient and sharing the full truth. This command is especially true for teachers of God’s word. If we do not know scripture, we cannot rebuke someone of something we do not understand. Be careful and do not be hasty. Being rebuked can be uncomfortable, but if the person is sincere in Christ, it comes from a place of genuine love and concern.
- Knowing scripture helps us discern false teaching and false teachers. If we do not know what scripture says, we can easily be led away by what is enticing to our heart. Jeremiah 17:09 says our heart is deceitful.
- To know scripture in season and out of season is to be familiar with scripture on a daily basis. Prayer is important, as well. James 1:05 tells us to pray for wisdom and the Lord will provide. Wisdom is given through God’s word. (2 Timothy 3:15-17)
- Be ready to give an answer.
*Scripture is from ESV
The Gospel Message– The Gospel message is good news, which means there’s bad news. We all are sinners and condemned. We all deserve the just punishment of God’s wrath. Christianity is unlike any other religion because we cannot earn our way into Heaven. God saw the weakness of man and his utter depravity. Yet, He showed us grace. Jesus, God, One Person of the Trinity, became God in the flesh, the God-Man. He was always perfect and sinless. And His humanity was perfected on the cross, living the full sinless life. He became our atonement sacrifice. Dying in our place, taking on the wrath of God upon Himself. He died on the cross, and He was resurrected because death could not hold Him. Jesus is the answer. We, as guilty sinners, need His blood to pay off our debt of sin. For all who put their faith in Him – meaning eyes are opened to the Gospel, we see ourselves as a sinner, we see the need for Christ, we desire our Savior, and we see the ugliness of our sin. Putting our faith in Jesus, we seek HIs forgiveness and repent from our sins, we turn away from our old way of life. We, through the work of the Holy Spirit, continue to become convicted of sin daily. Our eyes will never be the same again. We see things in a different light, and the truth of Christ affects how we live and serve Him. Christ tells us to count the cost. Salvation is a serious topic, it is not to be taken lightly. For a breakdown of this powerful message, understanding how Christ could be God and Man, why God required sacrifices, and more -please see: Why Did A Loving God Kill His Son? (Does God Hate?)
If you think you know the Gospel, check out these questions and see how prepared you are for the day someone might ask you why you believe: The Gospel Challenge (30 Question Quiz) – Are You Ready To Defend Your Faith?
Scripture To Meditate On –(ESV) Colossians 1:15-16 – For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
Community Prayer – January ‘23
Christian Topics/Series Covered
Personal Blog: Peeking Beneath
Second Blog: UnAshamed Christian Housewife
Godly Men & Women I Recommend: Link To List
Resources For False Teaching: Recommended Websites For False Teachers/Teaching
Video Playlist: Christian Questions, Topics, False Teachers, Insights
Video Playlist: New Christian Believer
Video Playlist: Understanding False Teachings
Video Playlist: Sermons To Grow From
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