"I'm a Motorcycle"
We live in a world where we long to be accepted by others. We want to be liked, even to the point of compromising what we believe. We even sacrifice our own individuality and sense of self in order to avoid rejection and fit in.
Everything seems to change so quickly. What is "in" today is "out" tomorrow. In the Word, we are told not to love the world or the things that are in the world, (1 John 3:15) and not to be conformed to the world. (Romans 12:2) Yet in an attempt to "keep up with the Jones'" we do the exact opposite.
As we all know, we can profess to be many things. I could sit in a garage all day long and tell everyone I am a car, but that does not make me a car! I could profess that I am a motorcycle, but that does not mean that I am one!
Obviously, I do not have the proper components, and in turn do not serve the purpose a true motorcycle does. Nor do I emit the sounds a true motorcycle would. In essence, the fruits of a motorcycle are not present.
The same thing applies when it comes to being a Christian. Jesus said, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed" (1 John 8:31). He also stated, "by their fruits you will know them." (Matthew 7:20)
What does it mean to be a Christian? Are we being representatives for Jesus? Are we being obedient children, surrendering our lives and will in love to the Father, or are we just a religious noise, (1 Corinthians 13:1) in essence, making a false profession?
This is a call to count the cost, deny yourself daily, set your affections on things above, not on things on earth, and walk in truth, (John 4:24, 1 John 3:24) that we may understand and experience the joy, peace, and fulfillment of being a new creature in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
"For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself." Galatians 6:3
Jesus said, "He that is not with me is against me." Matthew 12:30
You're Only Fooling Yourself
Jesus said of the religious leaders in Matthew 15:8, "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me"!!
**So what does it look like to be a Christian?
(Mark 3:35 and Acts 11:26) Followers of Christ, obedient to God's word and will.
(2 Timothy 2:9) Let everyone! That nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. Repent!
(Luke 9:23) Jesus said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me."
**What does a Christian do?
(Galatians 5:24) And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
(1 John 2:6) He that says he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk even as He walked.
**How?
(John 15:5) Jesus tells us, "I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing."
(Matthew 3:8) Jesus said, "Bring forth fruits meet for repentance." Basically, proof of your sincere decision to follow Christ, and your desire to allow Him to live through you.
(2 Corin. 5:17) We see what true repentance and being in (knowing) Christ means. "Therefore if any man be in Christ , he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new. "
(Matthew 7:16) You shall know them by their fruits.
(2 Corin. 10:3-6) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
(Philippians 4:8) This scripture tells us what an obedient train of thought is. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
(I Corin. 15:31) Paul says, "I die daily" and in (Galatians 2:20) He says, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
(Romans 6: 1-2, 7) What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? For he that is dead is freed from sin.
The cry of our heart should be that of John 3:30 -- "He must increase, but I must decrease."
**How do we know we need to re-evaluate our walk with God?
1. You don't bear fruit. (1 John 15:2)
2. You aren't abiding in Him. (John 15:6)
3. You're not being tried. (1 Peter 1:7)
4. You find pleasure in things you shouldn't. (1 John 2:15-17)
In Luke 13:6-9, Jesus tells the parable of the barren fig tree. In the parable He says, "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, 'Behold these three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?' And the dresser answering said, 'Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: and if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.'"
In Luke 14:27, Jesus tells us, "whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple." He said follow!! 2 Corinthians 13:5 tells us, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves."
James 5:19-20 tells us, "Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins."
Finally, there is great hope! My desire and God's desire is that you bear fruit and abound. 2 Peter 1:4-10 says, "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for I ye do these things, ye shall never fall."