Why a Christ-Follower?

2013 Dr. Mike Jesus Apprentice, Quotes

“I urge you to ponder your own standing with Jesus Christ. Have you made him your Lord and Savior? If not, do not let this matter rest until you have. Are you one of his disciples? If so, dedicate yourself more firmly than ever to love and serve him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. I make these pleas for at least three reasons. First, for a number of reasons, including historical evidence, I believe there are more than adequate grounds to believe that Jesus Christ was and is the incarnate, risen Son of God. As our Creator God, he has the right to be Lord of our lives. Second, Jesus Christ is simply incomparable. The uniqueness of his claims, the depth and power of his teachings, the miraculous nature of his life and resurrection, the beauty of his character, the unique grace and forgiveness his death provides, and the profundity of his impact on world history unite to justify the claims that no one else comes close to offering what he does to those who submit to him. Finally, my own life and the lives of countless others have been immeasurably benefited by devotion to Jesus. True, there are ways in which it is difficult to be his follower. But it is also true that it is more difficult to live without being his follower, as those of us who know him can attest.

By J.P. Moreland, Why I am A Christian, 2006, “Why I Have Made Jesus Christ Lord of My Life,” pg 301

Christian Elitism

2013 Dr. Mike Essays

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Gal 3:28

Have you ever met a fellow disciple who believes that they are better than others because of being a Christian?

Not just being a Christian, but one that has special “truth” that makes them feel more “Christian” than his brothers and sisters in the Lord?

I had the unknowing privilege of being such a person in my earlier walk with Christ. As a member of an organization that we would classify a cult today, I believed that we had precious revelations that made us special in the eyes of God. But the Holy Spirit over time opened my ignorant eyes to more clearly understand what Christ accomplished through his life, death, and resurrection. His grace assures me that we are all free in Him. It’s not what we do, but what he did that makes us special. And he did it for all of us.

Today, whenever someone approaches me and looks down at me or others because they are not Christian, or not a true believer, or a mature disciple, or a “and you add whatever you want to,” I cringe. It only reveals to me where the person stands in her understanding of who Christ is. When one fully understands that Christ died for all – those who are alive today, those who have yet to be born, and those all who have died – and that as a believer, our identity is fully in Christ. And being alive in Christ, there is no special ritual, no special prayer, no specific act, or no unique knowledge that elevates us one above the other. We are all adopted in Christ with a godly relationship with the Triune God. If God chooses to have a favorite, it is His choice. It is not because we exercised some special formula that requires God to act on our behalf.

Paul states it well in 1 Corinthians 13^th chapter where he puts spiritual gifts in their place by elevating what is truly more important – love. Love supersedes all. When love leads, elitism is dead. There is no reason to feel more important than others as we are all one in Christ (Gal. 3:28). Real Christianity expresses itself in love for others, self, and God. Elitism has no room where love blooms.

The next time someone expresses an elite attitude, remember how Jesus acted and lives today – in humility. Humility and elitism are opposite ends of the spectrum. Elitism’s sister is pride. And pride was the downfall of Lucifer who became Satan. So how do you handle someone who expresses an elite attitude?

Just remember that elitism is not a Christian attitude – and like all humans – we are all dysfunctional at various degrees. Smile, bite your lip, and pray that the Holy Spirit may lead the person to discover who Christ truly is and the love that surpasses whatever we can think or imagine. Otherwise, who are you going to become?

Colossians 1:15-23 NIV

2013 Dr. Mike Jesus Christ, Scriptures

¹⁵He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. ¹⁷He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. ¹⁹For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, ²⁰and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

²¹Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of^[f] your evil behavior. ²²But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— ²³if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.