Christian by default?

So often today, we see Americans who naturally think they are born into the Christian faith. An example that comes to mind are country music artists. Why do so many of them think they are “Christian” by default? It’s become more and more apparent that certain cultures, especially within our country believe they are Christians simply because they sing supposedly wholesome songs, going to church, etc.  Simply writing lyrics about faith in God doesn’t make one a Christian. The Gospel of John provides a good definition of how the Lord defines Christianity:

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12,13) 

Believers in the true Gospel of God should not stop at, “Oh, you’re a Christian.  Okay, God Bless you” when evangelizing.  The mediocre and sometimes misrepresented conversions that occur in America today only add to our lukewarm attitude that Christ talks about in Revelation 3:16.

Rev 3:14-22  “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:
“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—”

  I think America is a picture of the church of Laodicea; a country filled with too many lukewarm people proclaiming to know Christ with their mouths, yet having no desire to walk with Him.  So often a proclaiming believer in Jesus will say it just takes confessing with your mouth and believing, and while true belief in Jesus Christ’s finished work on the cross does save, we have to be honest and recognize there is a difference between having “head knowledge” about the truth (like the Jews did) and having faith and trust in the truth of Jesus and His Word.  Jesus told the Jews in John 5: 39–

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me.”

  Taking this a bit further, you can have knowledge of God without personally placing your trust in Him.  You can know the truth and think you are good based on that knowledge, but that would mean you trust in works to save you. It is insufficient to simply know about God without allowing His Son Jesus to change their life. You see, the Scriptures testify of Him, but the Scriptures themselves do not give eternal life. They simply point to the One who does.

There is a good reason why so often the Word of God is more readily received in foreign lands.  When you preach the Good News of God’s forgiveness to someone who has never heard it, and has a full understanding of his desperation there is a sense of warm welcome to the news.  In contrast, there are those in this country who have heard the Gospel over and over through out their childhood, yet not recognized their own sin that’s worn on their sleeves.  They may have plenty of knowledge of the Gospel, but to appreciate and receive it would literally take losing everything they consider as their life.
I hope anyone reading this does not take it as though I am directly saying Americans stand no chance at being saved because of the spiritual numbness that’s alive today, (I know the Lord has done a work in me, the last one deserving His grace).  It’s my personal opinion that America is a great example of the rich man Jesus was talking about in Matthew 19:24.  Here Jesus describes how hard it is for someone who already thinks he’s good enough and in need of no earthly thing to receive the Gospel.

Because of the lukewarm and confused state of American Christianity, it’s become more and more apparent that we need to stop holding our tongues as Believers and get out there and ask people some serious questions.  In this culture we see the common country artist naturally bring Jesus into his songs.  I am in no way proclaiming all country artists are non-Christians.   I am simply using an example of how too many people in America do not fully understand the meaning of true Christianity.  Per statistics, the percentage of proclaiming Christians today (2012)  in America is 78.4% (http://religions.pewforum.org/reports).  Being honest, do you really think this percentage is true?  If this is true then why is this country clearly getting more depraved every day?
We have to being willing to break through the barrier of tradition and religious talk when speaking with people.  As true believers, we have to use the full Word of God when sharing Christ.  That is the only thing that will penetrate through the hardness of hearts that Americans carry today.
You see, I can name a list of artists (ie. Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton, and Montgomery Gentry) just to name a few (and I am being very broad here) that include Jesus in their songs.   Again, I am in no way making a judgment on their heart by saying they are non-Christian but I can and do share the truth of Gods Word and what it states about His children.
In Matthew 7:20 the Lord tells us,

“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”

It’s very clear that by the fruit they produce you will know what kind of tree you are looking at. By observation, I can reveal several songs with graphic lyrics, that would explain to you exactly the fruit those people I stated produce. Again, we have to be honest that because someone proclaims and gives you the copy and paste version of the Gospel does not mean they are a converted believer.

We must examine ourselves (2 Cor 13:5) continually to see if we are in the faith and never withhold the truth from anyone. I know myself have been challenged every time I dive into the Word. I have a more sure hope in Christ that I have received Him because the Word is sharp and it naturally causes me to evaluate my life and the type of fruit I produce.

(I encourage EVERYONE to put aside 45 minutes for this teaching!)

True and False Conversion – Ray Comfort & Kirk Cameron

I’ll close with this. Whether you are a proclaiming Christian reading this or a non-believer, first evaluate your life. Get right with the Lord and repent. Make sure you have an intimate relationship with the only Savior of the world which is Christ Jesus. Christians, take heed that no man deceives you, including the one writing to you now, and be ready at all times with the boldness that the Lord gives all men to share the truth. Please do not stop at “hello” and “oh, your a christian”. Ask questions like “How do you know” or “Explain what you mean by that.” These are great ice breakers to get the conversation started and get to know the person you are talking with. Remember, its a conversation, not a skull crashing session.

The song below is just one of the examples that kind of set this article off. May we always be willing to evaluate whether someone knows the True Gospel of God and not stop there, but seek a way to reach the one that so easily falls into the “lukewarm” territory. We need to pray for these artists that are lost into the famous game and ask the Lord to lead them to repentance as they are leading so many proclaiming “Christians” right into Hell.
ATTENTION:  THE SONG BELOW IS NOT BEING ENDORSED BUT BEING REVEALED AS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW MISUSED CHRIST IS IN TODAY’S CULTURE!!!

 

Thomas Rhett Akins – If I Could Have A Beer With Jesus Lyrics

 

If I could have a beer with Jesus 

Heaven knows I’d sip it nice and slow

I’d try to pick a place that ain’t too crowded

Or gladly go wherever he wants to go

You can bet I’d order up a couple tall ones

Tell the waitress put ‘em on my tab

I’d be sure to let him do the talkin’

Careful when I got the chance to ask

How’d you turn the other cheek

To save a sorry soul like me

Do you hear the prayers I send  What happens when life ends

And when you think you’re comin’ back again

I’d tell everyone, but no one would believe it

If I could have a beer with Jesus If I could have a beer with Jesus

I’d put my whole paycheck in that jukebox

Fill it up with nothing but the good stuff

Sit somewhere we couldn’t see a clock Ask him how’d you turn the other cheek

To save a sorry soul like me

Have you been there from the start

How’d you change a sinner’s heart

And is heaven really just beyond the stars

I’d tell everyone, but no one would believe it

If I could have a beer with Jesus

He can probably only stay, for just a couple rounds

But I hope and pray he’s stayin’ till we shut the whole place down

Ask him how’d you turn the other cheek

To save a sorry soul like me

What’s on the other side?

Is mom and daddy alright?

And if it ain’t no trouble tell them I said hi

I’d tell everyone but no one would believe it

If I could have a beer with Jesus

I’d tell everyone but no one would believe it

If I could have a beer with Jesus