Are You a Real Christian?

By R.E. Olsen

There are many people who say and think they are Christians but are not.

Dr. D. James Kennedy of Coral Ridge Ministries wrote: “The vast majority of people who are members of churches in America today are not Christians. I base it on the empirical evidence of twenty-four years of examining tens of thousands of those people on what they are basing their hopes of eternal life, and it’s not Jesus Christ! It is merely their own morality, their own piety and their own goodness. They are not trusting in Christ for salvation; yet that faith in Christ is the essence of Christianity.”

Something like 200 million Americans self-identify as Christian. But only 2% of people who call themselves so are indeed practicing Christians. This is from a poll asking Christians if they regularly share the Gospel.

Jesus said if you love Him, keep His commandments. He commands us to go out and preach the good news to the entire world. In Mark 16:15, Jesus gave a direct order: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”

If 200 million people were following this order, then I would expect to run into many strangers on a daily basis doing exactly what He said to do. In the grocery store, at work, at school, everywhere all the time you should be bumping into someone who wants to tell you:

“Everyone has done bad things and deserves God’s judgment. But do you know that in spite of doing bad things there is a way of escape, a way to freedom, a way to stop doing bad things, and after you die, you can still live and never die again?”

Come on, where are they? In 60 years, only a handful of people ever approached me and mentioned the name Jesus.

Who would not want to warn people of danger if they can? Either hard-hearted people, or people who do not believe there is a danger. Either millions are slacking off and ignoring their Savior’s wishes, or they are not under His command at all.

19th-century English preacher Charles Spurgeon declared: “Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself. Be sure of that.”

The late Pastor Kennedy wrote: “I lived to be almost twenty-four years old in America without being a Christian, and never, ever, had anyone spoken to me about Christ…. Instead of being a missionary force, the church became a mission field and became filled with people who never evangelized because they had never been evangelized. This continues down to this day.”

To evangelize simply means to preach the Christian gospel and share your faith with nonbelievers. Throughout most of early church history, Christianity was spread evangelistically, both at home and abroad. However, today there are many who serve in missionary, church planting, and ministry development roles whose primary duty is not evangelism.

Read these words of Jesus:

  • “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” -Matthew 9:37
  • “For many are invited, but few are chosen.” -Matthew 22:14
  • “Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” -Matthew 7:14
  • “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.” -Matthew 4:19

If you want to reach the lost, then go to them. They will not come to you.

It is not easy.

Jesus said, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” -Matthew 10:16

Do you shy away from actively sharing the gospel message with others, unsure of what to say, afraid of rejection and ridicule? The Way of the Master will teach you how to share the message of the gospel simply, biblically, and without fear–the way Jesus did!

Jesus was not afraid to shake people up. He spoke openly of their sinful nature and the righteousness of God. He forced people to confront their sin head-on, and he brought them face-to-face with their need for salvation.

You too can become equipped to confidently lead anyone–friend, family member, coworker, neighbor, or stranger on the street–to a clear understanding of repentance and what it means to be a true follower of Jesus Christ.

To learn more, go to Livingwaters.com and listen to these two foundational messages:

Hell’s Best Kept Secret and True & False Conversion

Click here for a printable copy of “Hell’s Best Kept Secret.”

Click here for a printable copy of “True & False Conversion.”

 

About the Author: A homeschool dad of three young men, R.E. Olsen takes his role as spiritual head of the household seriously. He also seeks to impart God’s truth to anyone who will listen.

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