Nominal Christianity

Being the United States of America is a historically Christian nation a lot of people say they’re “Christian,” yet they rarely (if ever) set foot in a church or read their Bibles. It’s a curious position to hold.

You see, the Bible tells us that when we have a proper perspective we see the kingdom as being of immeasurable worth. When God opens one’s eyes, it becomes a treasure over and above earthly things.

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. ~ Matthew 13:44-46

Yet, culturally, many who say they believe show a much greater affinity for the world and so never leave the sidelines. They agree Jesus is who He says He is, but they aren’t interested in following Him. They aren’t going to sacrifice their Sundays either. They offer excuses that they don’t like “organized religion.” Or “you don’t need to go to church to be a Christian.”

Christianity is learning to make more of others than of yourself. So if you can’t be bothered to to make much of King Jesus, there’s either a lack of sincerity or maturity. In either case, you won’t have cracked open a Bible enough to actually know who God is. He will be the sort of god you decide and not the one in the Bible.

There was a time in the United States where churches boiled down salvation to a prayer. All you had to do was agree Jesus died on the cross for your sins and rose 3 days later and you were good for eternity. There was no mention of repenting, of living a new life. It offered a convenient way to escape judgment at no personal cost.

And while it’s true, salvation is free to anyone who asks, the faith that evidences its genuineness is accompanied by a change of heart.

I asked relatives whether or not they believed in God. They affirmed they did, but I wasn’t sure. I wasn’t sure what about their lives said He matters.

Years later, I realized I’d asked the wrong question. All I learned was they weren’t atheists.

Listen to what Matthew says:

“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. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ ~ Matthew 7:21-23

These are believers. The “Lord, Lord” and the accounting of the deeds (“mighty works in your name”) hints they were even church goers. Which means unlike my relatives, they’d left the sidelines. They probably knew their Bibles. Still, their hearts didn’t come alive. They continued in an affinity for the world over and above the kingdom.

This world truly is a challenge. There are great many things which tickle my fancy, distract me from greater things. It’s not easy training yourself to take up your cross. It’s a daily battle, one I fail more than not.

But to call yourself a “Christian” or to say “I believe in God” has to mean something. If you have no desire to know God, you have to wonder whether your heart is alive to Him.

How does someone asking how you know you’re going to heaven when you die make you feel? Because if that conversation makes you uncomfortable, maybe your faith is a bit too surfacey. Why would someone who cares at all about God’s kingdom be disinclined when asked to substantiate the authenticity of his faith?

“I know, I know, but I want to live a little. I’m not ready for that. I’ll come around for God later.” That sounds more like a heart of stone than a heart of flesh.

When you’re born again you begin to ❤️ Jesus.

If you’re not there yet, that’s okay. Make sure you understand the difference in being saved and being in a relationship of convenience. Make a course correction which involves your getting to know Him better. Find and start attending a good church. Pursuing the new life requires action.

You don’t know how many days you have. And believing you can deal with your growing love of the world later is like planning to one day uproot the sapling in your yard. With every passing day it’s going to be harder. After a certain number of years, it’s going to be nearly impossible.

You have this one life—and then eternity.

Heaven or hell.

And if you’re too enamored with the world to bother with church, why do you think you’re destined for heaven? It won’t be because you’re a good person or because you believe in God. And let’s be clear. It won’t be because you went to church, either.

Make treasuring The Son part of your life. A life say what He’s worth. If He’s not worth the knowing and the worshipping before you die, why would He think you’d want an eternity with Him after?