Most of those in the world today would say: We are post-modern people. But are they Christians? Post-modern society thinks that it is done with Christianity, as it has been done away with long ago. Why do people nowadays think so?
Because they can seldom recognize the essence of the Christian faith and the power of that primitive, pure, apostolic Christianity. Luxury and luster have pushed out the meek demeanor and the simplicity of the humble Nazarene. Those formal services and lip prayers that are offered today chase away the heartfelt, strong, ennobling prayer. Don’t we feel and don’t we realize that this kind of “Christianity” no longer harmonizes with the Lord’s will and example?
In former times, the state of things was different. Then the brave followers of Christ evidenced their faith by giving up their lives for their Lord. Standing before the great and mighty men of their time, they said fearlessly: “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 8:35-39.
The trending post-modern spirit has expelled the spirit of true Christianity. Millions of people are groaning under the modern fetters of the painful seeking for pleasure, the nerve-breaking seeking for worldly lusts, and the destructive passion for drinking and other opiates.
Both the willful and the unconscious breaking of the Law of God today seem to people as something that must be done. The vilest sins raise their heads with daring presumptions, and they hold thousands of people as their slaves. Where are those Christians who would act and walk as their pattern, Christ Jesus, giving evidence for the doctrine of Christ?
Humanity can be made free from all the troubles that are being piled upon it if it learns to live according to this elevated principle: “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Could we not solve the current problems if we understood the deep meaning of Christ’s words: “All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them” (Matt. 7:12)?
Are we still Christians? This is the question we ask ourselves at the sight of the unchristian and unjust state of the nominal Christianity of today, and our Pattern requires of us not external look, not luster, but faith and works. And Peter, that self-reliant apostle, with his mouth, was ready to die for his beloved Teacher, but only a few hours later denied him, saying: “I do not know the man.”
But he repented of his weakness and cowardice and he “went out, and wept bitterly”, and he was shown mercy. Afterward, he became one of the most faithful servants of Christ and he was called to preach that powerful sermon on the Day of Pentecost through which three thousand people were converted. Therefore have courage, you who are in despair, you who have denied your Lord – there is still a little time of mercy when you can repent of your sins and depart from them.
It is worth noting that Peter drew the following picture of Christ’s character: “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness…” 1 Pet. 2:21-24. Should not this be the path of every Christian? He who professes to be Christian, should not depart to the left, nor to the right, from this path.
If we willfully choose some other way, we place ourselves above our Master, and self-exaltation has never been in harmony with the principles of true Christianity. The plain words of Christ, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me,” must be of significance to the millions who are now naming themselves with his name. Since Jesus presented himself as “the way”, this shows unequivocally that it is not meant for everyone to follow their own way if they want to reach the Father. We are admonished:
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Phil. 2:5-11.
The path of obedience is the way we are to follow. It leads us through the bright heights of true freedom – freedom from the bondage of sin. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke about this way as being a “straight way” (Matt. 7:13, 14). The majority of people today do not like the straight path, but they are willfully walking on the broad road to perdition.
Jesus Christ is not only “the way”, but also “the truth”. In the despised Nazarene, many found their Savior.
Who does not want to rise above the dust of vanity and to be made free of his moral helplessness? Who does not want to receive pardon? Let him who wants these things go to Jesus, kneel before his divine Majesty, and listen – with an honest heart and obedience, and he will indeed experience that Jesus is “the truth”.
Obeying the truth is the path that leads to a life in the Lord. Before everyone who is seeking the Lord, Jesus stands saying: “My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” John 7:17. To desire and to do – this is the path to the truth; indeed, this is the truth in the life of man. The effects of truth on the heart have constantly been revealed in the few faithful Christians. “Ye shall know them by their fruits,” says the Lord.
Where are the fruits of the truth in modern Christianity? Where are the witnesses for the faith, where are those who would be brave and stand for the truth of the Word of God in the face of death? Has Christianity lost its power?
Has the pure wine of Christ’s doctrine been mixed with the bitter waters of human traditions and opinions? If it is so, let us not wonder why we are every day going deeper and deeper into immorality, which leads to so many vices upon its track. For this reason, the pure Word of God must be proclaimed with a loud voice:
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Cor. 6:9, 10.
Are we still Christians? Are the fruits of righteousness found in our lives? By saying “I am the life” and “no man cometh unto the Father, but by me,” Jesus, our Redeemer, desires to say: My life is an example for you. Only when you live according to my example, you are a Christian.
And the fruits that we are to manifest are the following: “Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” This beautiful list of noble qualities starts with “love”. All the other graces are included in this one word, as one fruit grows from another.
“Joy” is exulting “love”; “peace” is restful “love”; “longsuffering” is “love” in adversity; “gentleness” is outflowing “love”; “goodness” is “love” in action; “faith” is “love” in trials; “meekness” is a school of “love”; “temperance” is the fruit of “love”. So everything is “love” – love in the beginning, and “love” at the end. How would the world look like if everyone who calls himself “Christian” would bear this fruit? This would truly be Christianity.