There are lots of forms of dead Christianity. The word Christian has become a title rather than a relationship with our creator. When people used to say that they were a Christian, it meant something. Now the word is meaningless without action. We live in a world where truth is watered down. We are surrounded by people who abuse scripture and make up their own religion while at the same time calling it Christianity. Cults of people clinging to obedience are formed by secular leaders who do anything but make disciples out of them. Our nation is divided by politics on one side or the other and worst of all are the people in the middle who are not hot nor cold.
On one side of politic you have the group that completely ignores Bible verses that they disagree with. This group is a bunch of Christian’s in Name Only because they identify with secular lies while at the same time claiming to be a Christian. Some of the main issues revolve around life and lifestyle choices. This group conveniently loves their neighbor so much that they are willing to help send them to hell by codifying sin and lying about the truth. I am not going to identify a specific political party or group of people; I am merely rebuking the actions, and the truth call fall where it will.
On the other side of politics, you have the group that intermixes Jesus and love for country. This group again is completely out of step with what it means to be a Christian. Jesus didn’t care what country you were from. He didn’t care what you look like or what your government was. Jesus cared for the individual; he cared for everyone. The irrational behavior demonstrated by this group puts ones love for country right up there with salvation. A love of country tops their list as a priority for determining moral character. Where this group gets confused is that our first obligation is to God, second family and maybe a distant third could be love of country.
The third group that I talk about often is the repulsive middle. The middle group defines itself by trying to play both sides and being an arbiter of common good. This group is nothing more than gasoline on a fire. The only moral compass that is held by this group is self-preservation. They will do whatever they can to keep the peace by always selecting the most non-confrontational approach to life. They will usually agree with whatever group they are in front of just to not draw attention to themselves. They claim to love thy neighbor, love thy country and love God, but they get confused about the order for which they are to follow.
Dead Christianity can be summed up in a few thoughts.
Dead Christianity is the act of pretending to be a faithful follower of Jesus but demonstrating a heart and actions counter. Jesus will not recognize these people as his followers as these people are consumed with selfish ambitions and lack faithful consistency for the Kingdom. Just as Jesus spoke in Matthew about a solid foundation, we will also recognize the foundation of others by the fruits that they bear. Jesus is aware that not everyone that speaks his name is doing so because they are Christ followers. False prophets and wolves in sheep’s clothing consume many so-called believers.
A Tree and Its Fruit
15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will know them by their fruits.
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; leave Me, you who practice lawlessness.’
Satan knows Jesus and yet deceives. Dead Christianity is a false Jesus, created by demonic spirits who seek to lead people astray. Purposely ignoring scripture, putting country above our creator and passively playing the middle ground will someday hear “I never knew you.” If you truly are a Christian and a follower of Jesus, start acting like it. Make Jesus your first priority. Put his name above all names. Don’t think for a minute that your political choices will get you a ticket to heaven. Don’t ever think that being passive and non-confrontational will win you a seat at the table for the never-ending feast. The Bible is very clear about who is alive in Christ and what a dead Christian is. Which side do you find yourself on?