The Mark of Christianity

The Mark of Christianity Psalm 145:8-16

Why would a strong fundamentalist evangelistic faith burn down a Christian’s house, set fire to the occupants, mutilate the daughters, dismember the parents and then rejoice? Why would an entire family be assassinated at there doorstep because they decided to follow Jesus and not the Muslin faith? These events happened yesterday in three countries. Is this aggression the mark of a living and relevant faith? What is that stirs up so much hate and resentment?

What would we expect from a faith that works? Psalm 145:8 says,

“The Lord is gracious and merciful,
Slow to anger and great in lovingkindness,
The Lord is good to all
His mercies are over all His work”

Psalm 145:14-16

“The Lord sustains all who fall
And raises up all who are bowed down”

The God of Christians and of all those who call upon the name of Jesus is a God who is gracious and merciful. Christianity is defined by the act of grace in the cross of Jesus Christ. Jesus was given as a sacrifice for our sins in our place. We bow before him in thankfulness for his mercy and restoration. Jesus did not stay on the cross but overcame the power of death in order to offer us the same gift – eternal life. Why is this gift so hated and trampled by large sectors of Islam and even atheistic humanistic groups? Why is the love of God rejected? True Christians who follow Jesus as their saviour do not burn down houses and persecute others – they offer the grace of God in the cross and resurrection of Jesus through lives of sacrifice and giving to those in need.

John 3:19-20 states “that the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather that the light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.

2 Corinthians 4:4 says “the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

I would prefer to seek a God who I know loves me, is merciful, patient and wants to guide me and speak with me in an intimate and close relationship (Matthew 11:28 – 30). This God exists apart from me as a person. He is not the circle of life but the creator of life, who holds it all together. What distinguishes Christianity is the absolute demonstration of love in the giving of Jesus on the cross and power of his resurrection – not incarnation. What does Islam or evolutionary, atheistic humanism have to offer a world full of hate, bitterness and ethnic, religious divisions? What do religious groups who have recreated there own existence through doctrinal differences and who have forgotten the central meaning and purpose of Christianity have to offer?

What is the mark of true Christianity? It is the forgiveness and love of God given at the cross of Jesus and His resurrection power given as a gift to the seeking heart. It is not belonging to an organisation. It is a personal decision to receive Jesus as Lord and His Holy Spirit and live with him in a life of giving, hope and joy. This is not a life lived in isolation but is joined with others on the same journey – called the church. Make sure that this church or fellowship of people, are people who live for Jesus, are filled with His Spirit and receive His word (the Bible) as it stands!!