Forthright Magazine http://forthright.net/ Straight to the Cross Richard Mansel goes to the Bible to answer ... "The Most Important Question." Great for classes, groups, evangelistic studies and individuals. http://richardmansel.com/most-important-question/ COLUMN: LIVING THE FAITH Are we rejecting Jesus? by Richard Mansel, managing editor http://tinyurl.com/42nge5v Telling people they are rejecting Jesus will provoke an angry outburst and an accusation of judging. Their emotionally charged response highlights an important problem in Christianity. Countless people are rejecting Jesus and they have no idea they are guilty of such a heinous act. All they know is that claiming to be a Christian is sufficient for them. It is immaterial that their claims have nothing to do with their lifestyles and morality. It comforts us to have control over everything in our world. Making up our own rules is intoxicating. As a result, the world is full of people who claim they are spiritual but not religious, so they can design their own spirituality. They desire the feeling without any change in their lives. They will not cede control of their lives to anyone, including God. They want God to be their servant, ready to clean up their messes. They will put their fleshly preferences and peers over their souls and when time allows, and when the mood strikes, they will recall God for a few blessings. God is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9) and we must remember that God is love (1 John 4:8). However, we also have the responsibility to choose righteousness over unrighteousness (Deuteronomy 30:15- 19; Ezekiel 18:19-23). If we see things from God's perspective, we will be healthier spiritually. God established the ground rules of freewill, conditions that we love, so we must accept the boundaries God has given us. In John 12:26, Jesus tells us that following and serving him are one and the same. If we serve Jesus, we will be honored by God and glorify Christ (John 12:26; Ephesians 3:20-21). If we walk with Christ, we will walk in the light (John 12:35; John 8:12; 1 John 1:5). In John 1:1-5,14 we find that Jesus is the Word, the very thoughts and expressions of God. To follow the Word is to walk in the light, while a dismissal of the Word leads us to darkness. Jesus cannot be separated from the Word. "I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness" (John 12:46, NKJV). We know that Jesus will be the judge at the judgment day (2 Timothy 4:1, Romans 2:15). Yet, John 12:47 says that Jesus will not judge us. The next verse clarifies when Jesus says, “the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). We accept Jesus by accepting his Word. Conversely, rejecting the Word is to reject the Christ. Our claims, titles, beliefs and rationalizations will have no effect on our eternal destiny. The ultimate decision will be made by two facts: One, are we in Christ, by God's standards (Acts 2:38,47; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27). If we are in Christ, we will not miss heaven (Romans 8:1). Second, our works, meaning our obedience, are an inescapable aspect of our salvation (Matthew 16:27; Revelation 20:12). We cannot hope to enter heaven without the grace of God, no matter how perfectly we have lived (Ephesians 2:8-9; Luke 17:10). However, our works, meaning our daily walk in Christ, is evidence of our allegiance (James 2:24). We cannot separate Jesus from the Word. It is blasphemous to even try. We must live the Word if we will follow the Savior. Submission, not superiority is the spiritual order of the day. ---- Read this article online, write your reaction, and read others' comments as well. Click here: http://tinyurl.com/42nge5v You can help get the word out. Here's how: http://forthright.net/help/