Across the world, opinions span the entire spectrum,
From those Biblically-inspired-to-those quite loathsome,
Of what it means to be a ‘true Christian’.
And, for sure, you have your own opinion.
Many of us think Christian means ‘a follower of Christ’,
Yet, His earthly life has been incredibly ‘sliced and diced!’
We align with parts that fit our lifestyles,
Regarding what’s left as parts …less worthwhile.
Others think being Christian accents what we believe,
That our beliefs influence what, from Christ, we’ll receive.
Yet when our actions some core beliefs belie,
To our beliefs, for a while, we’ve bid …goodbye.
Still others think Christian means membership in a church,
A ‘family place’ where some outsiders we besmirch.
They’re organized in politicized-like denominations,
With clashing notions on what, to Christ, are …abominations!
And there is also a large group of folks who may think,
It’s about what we figuratively eat and drink--
Christ’s body, for us broken, and His blood that for us flowed.
Ahhh, that’s ‘holy communion’ in remembrance of Him, owed.
‘It’s all about into water being fully baptized,
Just as Christ was at the start of His …ministry franchise’.
That is a point another faction might accentuate,
Though a quick dip into water does not a Christian make!
By now, folks across the world must surely agree,
There‘s much confusion about Christianity!
And since, to Father God, Christ is the declared ‘Only way’,
In these last days…
It’s critical to clear-up points that, to many, seem gray.
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‘Christian’ bespeaks of a lifestyle that is arduous,
Demanding moves some may consider …audacious!
Thus, all so-called ‘Christians’, in or out of a church,
Are not necessarily those found in Christ’s search.
Since everything He creates is at its best from the start,
First century Christians show us what was first in His heart.
Recall their fiery passion, so fateful,
Facing scorn from other Jews, so hateful.
Back then…
In Rome, many were forced into enslavement,
And were fed to lions …for entertainment!
Others were persecuted for their beliefs,
And from The Lord, only a few got relief.
Their lives and blood were the seeds and fertilizer,
That made them The Church’s …early fruits producers.
Their fruits were very well pleasing to Jesus,
And their sacrifices paved the way for us.
To these Christians, The Gospel was a bitter-sweet pill,
Bitter because, culturally, it brought no goodwill,
Yet sweet because they understood God’s salvation plan,
Where between Him and mankind, Christ was …the middle Man.
Now let’s fast forward to just a few decades later,
When, on the Isle of Patmos John had an encounter.
It resulted in The Book of Revelation,
And includes a review of church congregations.
To the seven churches in Asia Minor,
John penned letters, with Jesus as the Author.
For some churches, The Lord had harsh words and warnings,
Against the directions in which hearts were turning.
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And now?
So let’s fast forward to churches across the world today,
And imagine what The Lord’s reviews of us might display,
Compared to all those first century believers,
Who succeeded in breaking first fruits barriers.
That by which many Christians today are ‘enslaved’,
Are lusts of worldly things that our cultures engrave.
And the biggest source of our persecution today might be,
‘Keeping up with the Joneses’, socio-culturally.
Churches are the Roman coliseums equivalent,
Of places we go to enjoy or be the entertainment!
With much stylistic music and sermonizing,
It’s choirs, musicians and preachers we’re scrutinizing.
Church fruits are more likely measured in offering sizes,
Than in ‘souls who repented and are won for Christ’ prizes.
And the job of witnessing to these souls is delegated,
To church officers, not to folks in the pews, congregated.
The Gospel to many folks is served as a sweet milk treat,
To many folks who may never feed on The Lord God’s meat.
But sweet milk treats will never build strong faith in folks to withstand,
Devilish temptations that, on our doorsteps, are sure to land!
Fiery passions for The Gospel and souls who are lost,
Seem lacking in folks who’re not willing to pay the cost.
To how the world defines Christian, they’ve capitulated,
And thus, they’ve largely become …Christians domesticated.
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Ergo?...
By such a broad brush, let’s not paint all who profess Christ.
For sure, some are passionately engaged in the fight.
Including some folks who pray for revival among our ranks.
Their challenge: Be the revival, with God’s spirit ‘in their tanks’.
The Lord has a job for His saints to do in these last days,
When, under the weight of sin, Earth’s systems are being frayed.
But if the world has diluted our effectiveness,
To His commands we will become less fastidious.
Could our ‘Laodicean luke-warm’ qualities today,
Be why The Lord promises to send in fresh troops one day, *
Thousands of passionate Jewish witnesses when we’re gone,
When people are tempted to become …the anti-Christ’s pawns??
They’ll arrive on the scene, and by an angel will be aided!
They’ll preach audaciously and many souls will be converted!
By the anti-Christ, they all will be beheaded,
Then with the saints, in Heaven, they will be lauded.
(Revelation 7)
Assertiveness! They’ll ALL live again, and will never grow old!!!!
I get it…
Living by faith in things that are unseen,
Seems like ignoring what's in life's windscreen!
But The Lord commands us: Grow up in Me, fully matured!
From what He demands, most of us seriously ...detoured!
Have you? *
Be sure to see Part 2
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* See: Why is there so much confusion regarding the teachings of The Bible? See also: Fresh Troops, Incoming (Poem). Part 2 of this series uncloaks what may likely happen to Christianesque folks who will MISS THE RAPTURE!
