Avoidance Christians

Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the Salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.  It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us.  2 Timothy, Chapter 2, verses 10-12.

Boy, this passage always makes me sit up and take notice.  It makes me think of all those times when I have the opportunity to say something to someone else about how God works in my life and I don’t.  I’m afraid of what they might think of me, but I’m really denying God.  I would sure hate for Him to deny me in much the same way.
This is something I have to continue to work on.  Yeah, I’m typing this book right now about how God works in my life, but I’m not taking any big time risk.  For me, risking is when I need to share my faith personally with someone else, taking the chance that they may reject me for standing up for my beliefs.
Actually, whenever I have taken that risk, I haven’t had people reject me.  Most everyone I’ve talked to has been very respectful of my beliefs.  Most of them have even shared situations from their lives that have ended up strengthening my faith.  I think the point is that instead of being Avoidance Christians, we need to be willing to stand up for God if the situation arises, instead of leaving it to someone else.
Here are some related passages:
*But whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven.  But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven.  Matthew, Chapter 10, verses 32-33.

*And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in Me.  Matthew, Chapter 11, verse 6.
Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Worldly Christians

Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the Truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.  But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.  But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, Godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.  1 Timothy, Chapter 6, verses 5-12.

God is reminding us to stay away from people who have corrupt minds or those who distort the Word of God.  There are some who feel the proof of being a good Christian would be having all the worldly possessions they want.  Actually, there are people who believe that way today.  They feel God would want them to have all types of nice things (possessions) and they actively pray for them.  I know someone who looks at a picture of her dream car each day and then visualizes God giving it to her.  I know God said that He would take care of our every need, but I don’t think that means we are going to eat steak and prime rib every night because we are Christians, and we aren’t guaranteed we’ll drive fancy cars.
In fact, a big portion of this passage talks about how a lot of Worldly Christians get caught up in trying to attain money, status and worldly possessions which corrupt them.  He says we are to be content with the food and the clothes we have, not visualizing ourselves being given fancy cars, high level jobs and lots of money.  The desire for these things could very well lead us astray.


 Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Manipulating Christians

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.  For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.  1 Thessalonians, Chapter 5, verses 1-2.
We are told over and over again in the Bible that no one knows when the end of the world will be.  It will sneak up on us just like a thief is able to sneak around in the night without anyone knowing.  We need to be examples of how God works in our lives, not just in ten or twenty years from now, when we have finished sowing our wild oats, but always.  God is forgiving, but we should not push Him too far, either.  We can’t go around manipulating God and our faith by saying that I’m sinful and God will forgive me anyway, so I will just go ahead and do this sinful thing and ask for forgiveness later.

Well, God knows what is in our hearts.  He knows when we are being Manipulating Christians, trying to manipulate Him and when we are genuinely trying to be Christians.  Although none of us is perfect, we need to attempt to be the best examples we can of how God works in our lives.

 Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Random Acts Christians

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.  Colossians, Chapter 3, verses 23-24.
This makes me think about Random Acts of Simple Kindness and Love.  This is when people secretly do nice things for others (this could be for people you know or complete strangers.)  These anonymous acts aren’t done for any reward or praise, but are just for the pleasure it brings to do nice things for others.

I think God is saying that because we love Him, we, as Random Acts Christians, are to have that same attitude in all we do.  We should take pleasure in doing nice things for others, not for any reward or praise, but because we enjoy doing nice things for God.  Actually, it’s exhilarating when you do nice things for others without letting anyone know you did them!  It’s really very special to know that you have been allowed to be an instrument for God by being involved in one of His little miracles for someone else.  If you have never done things like this before, you should try it!  There is nothing quite like the pure joy of doing something nice for another person without getting caught up in bragging to others about what you did.  You do it just because it’s something God would like you to do.  Try it!

 Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Food for Thought Christians

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.  Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and Spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.  Colossians, Chapter 3, verses 12-17.

Actually, Christians are really fortunate, these days.  You don’t commonly hear of them throwing Christians to the lions anymore.  I think it’s more about us being willing to live as God wants us to, by being examples of how He works in our lives, regardless of what other people think or say.

Are we resentful when we are presented with an opportunity to make a donation to a worthy cause or are we giving to others and thankful for what we have?  Do we get caught up in reading the latest fad or do we find time to grow in our faith as we read the Bible and learn more about God?  Do we get caught up in listening to music with a worldly theme or do we sing Spiritual songs and hymns?  Do we respond hatefully to cashiers who seem less than sensitive to our concerns or do we remember all our actions and words reflect our faith in God?  Are we resentful that we don’t have the newest and the best of worldly items like others or are we thankful for all God provides for us?  We need to be Food for Thought Christians, considering how our actions reflect on Christ!

 Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.
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