7 KINDS OF CHRISTIANS

      It seems to me that there are at least 7 different kinds of Christians.
      There are what someone called"wannabe" Christians... who wish that they actually were able to follow the Nazarene along the narrow road that leads to Calvary... but like the rich man who encountered Jesus in Scripture, they "stand pat" because they are not willing to pay the price of discipleship. My heart is deeply touched by these Christians because they are so close to God's kingdom. They hear Jesus calling... but they don't have the courage to surrender. Pray that faith will overcome their fear.
      Then there are"nominal" Christians who are Christians in name only. Many of them don't even go to church, but since they are not Jewish or Muslim or Hindu, they figure that they are Christian... even though they neither practice or understand what being a Christian means. In my view, it is the nominal Christians who give pollsters the idea that 77% of Americans are Christian. Surely, our nation would be a much stronger foundation if this was really the case. Thirdly, there are "church member Christians" who consider themselves Christians because they belong to a church. They may be quite active in the church's work and fellowship events... but they have never accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior. They may even consider such a thing to be "odd"... because they have substituted joining an organization for following its Master. These Christians do not have a personal relationship with Christ and therefore, they lack the power and energy that would come from such a relationship. Pray that those who have confused church attendance with discipleship will come to know the difference.
      Fourthly, there are"hypocritical" Christians who pretend to be what they are not. Before I joined my first church at the age of 31, I was convinced that all church goers were hypocrites because I couldn't see much difference in their lives and my own. My mother always told me that the church is filled with hypocrites... and she was (mostly) right! There are a lot of hypocrites in the church. They pretend to worship God, but in truth, their God is little more than a mirrored image of themselves- with the same political views, the same view of success, and the same favorite ball teams. They tell others what they want to hear. They know what Christians are supposed to say... but they wouldn't even consider something like loving their neighbors as themselves. Pray for the hypocrites in your midst. Invite them to lay their masks down and come to Christ "as they are."
      And there are"Pharisaic" Christians who are good in the worst sense of the word (to use Mark Twain's phrase). They don't forgive others and they insist that "grace is only for those who deserve it," even though "earned grace" is clearly an oxymoron. Pharisaic Christians expect a lot of understanding, but they refuse to give others any slack at all... and they are obsessed with the speck in their neighbor's eye while ignoring the log in their own. Many of them know a considerable amount of Scripture, but they are ignorant of its meaning... so pray that the Holy Spirit will open their eyes to God's forgiving and life-giving word! There are also Christians who are "practicing atheists," because they don't give God a second thought as they go through life. They believe in God, but they live as if they don't. They don't start their day with prayer and Bible study; they don't put on the armor of God; they don't seek God's guidance in tough moments; and they don't even consider giving up their idolatrous relationship with money. They live as if God doesn't exist and when these Christians die, their neighbors will be surprised to learn that they were Christian.
      Finally, there are "true and authentic Christians" who practice what they preach and who love Christ with every fiber of their being. These are Christians- perhaps you have known a few- who radiate God's joy and peace... and who give themselves entirely and tirelessly in Christ's service. They preach powerfully with their lives... which actually show signs of sacrificial love and committed discipleship. Over the years, they have witnessed to me through their loving works and committed lives. Often, they have been an example to me... and sometimes- I confess it- I have been a little envious. I haven't known many of these disciples, but I have known some... and I know that they come from all denominations and in every imaginable size and shape. Pastor Luther Ratmeyer was one of them... and elder Wilbur Miner was another... but they weren't the only ones.
      All I can say to those who have shown me Christ's way...is thanks! Thanks so very much! All I can say to the rest of us is that we all should strive for authentic discipleship. If we've settled for church membership or nominal Christianity, we should reach for the joy that commitment brings... and if we've lived our lives as if God doesn't exist, we need to discover the power that spiritual disciplines offers us. If we're one of those who just isn't quite willing to follow Jesus, we must take a leap of faith and discover the freedom that comes with surrender. Pray that Christians everywhere will live as Christians. If we do, we will change the world! Amen.