Session Two: The Checklist

What does a Christian look like? Stop for a minute and think about that, because aside from the basic belief that Jesus was the Son of God, He died for our sins and rose from the dead, there are some things that most of us would add to that. Maybe our response would be someone who reads the Bible or helps people in need. Maybe it’s someone who prays every day and attends church regularly. Maybe it’s someone who has memorized a bunch of Bible verses and knows a lot about the Bible. But we also have some responses we probably wouldn’t feel very comfortable saying aloud—things like the kind of music someone listens to, what someone wears or what someone says. So what does a Christian look like? The answer is probably a lot more simple than we make it out to be.
(Galatians 6:15 NIV)
(Galatians 3:26-28 NIV)

There is a blog I read called http://www.churchrelevance.com/ I really enjoy what he writes...I know most of you wouldn't follow the link to his site to read it, so I copied it hear...I was really convicted and am looking forward to the other 3 parts of this series.

Sometimes blunt, crude words are the only things that can shock a person out of a rut and motivate him to improve to the next level. This four-part blog series is for the church worker who needs such forthright words.

So as you do your church work, remember…You deserve to go to hell.

SAY WHAT?

Everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. (Romans 3:23)
Sin pays off with death. But God’s gift is eternal life given by Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

In other words, because mankind’s nature is sinful, we all deserve to go to hell. It is only by Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection that you have the opportunity to be redeemed from hell if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. (Romans 10:9-10)This is the only way. (John 14:6) It is an undeserved gift from God. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

THE PROBLEM

If you are a Christian, you are already familiar with this. And that is the beginning of the problem.If not careful, familiarity will desensitize you to the power of the gospel. It makes the gospel old-hat.Desensitization will prevent you from truly grasping what it means to be saved from hell.And when this happens, it becomes far too easy to become drunk on the message of grace and feel entitled to your redemption from hell.The next thing you know, you are telling God what to do and treating Him like He is your servant rather than acting like a servant of God.

I am guilty of doing this. And unfortunately, many other “seasoned” Christians are, too.

WHY THESE CRUDE WORDS HELP

You deserve to go to hell, so ever-presently live like it is true.Understanding the magnitude of hell and what it means to be redeemed from it will change your priorities, give you passion, and give your clarity.Church bureaucracy and doing things for the sake of doing things will seem disgustingly meaningless to you. And effectively reaching people with the redemptive gospel message will be your greatest priority.