What does it mean to be a Christian? Some may argue being a Christian means to be tolerable. Others may say being a Christian means to be cordial and polite to others. Even others may say being a Christian means not to judge others on their race or those less fortunate. The ways of Christianity are different in today’s language versus the language of yesterday.
We will take a look at a painful history of the United States of America. In the World of God, being a Christian is someone who is baptized in Jesus’ name and allowing His Spirit to gradually work within you, changing thoughts and desires.
I remember a Pastor who owned a real estate agency. I will refer to the Pastor as Pastor Mountain. Pastor Mountain’s closer personal friends and immediate family attended the same church as my friend, who I will refer as Jane. When Jane had a situation and had to find another place of residence, Pastor Mountain said “let’s pray about it.” This was an answer heard often by those who are considered as “outsiders” from his immediate circle of friends. Jane did not have much credit, but the bank approved her with x amount to purchase a home. Pastor Mountain refused to believe that she had the funds to purchase a good home. He proceeded to show her homes that need a lot of work and homes that would make anyone, even his close personal friends and family feel humiliated. Jane received a blessing that no one can even understand, not even me. One day, her friend came to visit her and a couple of the church members gave her friend a ride. Jane’s friend told her that they church members who gave him a ride kept slowing down at homes that were not in good shape.” Once they got to Jane’s home, one of the church members assumed Jane had a lot of money for living in a house in very good condition. They were amazed and in disbelief. They judged her because she is of African descent. How can I say this? She was the only person of African descent in Pastor Mountain’s church. They claimed to be Christians. Pastor Mountain claimed to be a Christian.
Another example would be the Klu Klux Klan. This organization promotes hate and judges others by the color of their skin and natural origin. They also claim to be a Christian, yet they kill and harass others as they disguised their identity by wearing sheets and hoods. This organization is a legal organization, yet other organizations that were made to help others of different races were deemed illegal, such as the Black Panther origination.
Most police officers consider themselves to be Christian, yet some shoot and kill unarmed suspects and plant evidence against others. Jesus Christ said true Christians would be recognized by their fruits (Matthew 7:20). Can anyone say the people used in the above examples acted the way Jesus spoke about regarding Christians? Their harvest bears nothing but hypocrisy. A true Christian imitates God. In order the imitate God, one would have to read the Word of God to understand God.
In my journey and travels, most people who claimed to be a Christian actually prove themselves the opposite. Most women and men in church today shack together instead of doing the correct thing of being married. Most women and men in church use an abundance of profanity, yet will sing praises to God and kiss their mother or significant other with the same mouth. Most women and men in church will participate in gang activities, yet pretend they live innocent lives. Most women and men in church will say Amen, but will participate in pre-marital sex and have children out of wedlock.
Don’t get me wrong. I am not perfect. In moments where my temper flies off the handle, I have been known to use a profane word or two. However, I only called one woman a bitch and that was my ex-wife who cheated on me. I am human and I had participated in pre-marital sex out of love not lust, and I have not fathered any children from this act of love. I am proud to say that I have not participated in pre-marital sex in over ten years. I am not judging anyone, but before others can judge, they must judge their own lives. Before anyone can say they are a true Christian, they must judge their own actions.
In closing, I would not say I am a Christian. There are many beliefs that consider themselves and Christians. Some of these beliefs are Catholics, Non-denominational, Pentecostal, Jehovah Witnesses, Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and many more. In today’s world, Christianity has a different meaning. Therefore, I would say I am Spiritual and I am a follower of Jesus Christ. Please, before you do things to other people and call yourself a Christian, do you believe your actions would justify you in being a “true” Christian?
~Boston Brian
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