Converting Christians to Christ

A pretty young Hindu woman was assigned to my desk for what the local University referred to as a "job shadowing" assignment. The objective was for the girl to spend 4 hours with an individual whose profession was that which she hoped to enter upon graduation. So, she scheduled an appointment with me and, at the appointed time, set about picking my brain in regard to the communications and marketing field. She was so enthusiastic and wanted to learn all that she could about America and its people. Naturally, we reached a point where our conversation turned to religion. She stated that it seemed everyone she met at school was overly concerned about getting her to convert to Christianity and how she was tiring of this. She said someone even left a Bible on the ground outside her apartment door and added, "If that's what THEY think of their holy book, well...I threw it in the trash." I said, "I assure you, that's not MY mission. I'm trying to convert Christians to Christ." She laughed. We had a great visit. She left with the Bible I kept by my computer and a promise that I was here if she needed help. My wife and I intend to have her over for supper.

Converting Christians to Christ? Yes, that's my mission - and with a sense of urgency. Far too many Christians are simply clueless about the teachings of Jesus, especially in comparison to what they know of the teachings of their denomination. Face it, not only has denominationalism never gained anyone entrance to Heaven, but it proves to be a very shaky foundation when times of testing come.

Do you recall the parable of the two building contractors? The Bible has two records of this parable. One is in Luke 6:47-49. The other is in Matthew 7:24-29. These verses record that the people were "astonished at His doctrine." Part of that doctrine was the story He told about building on a good foundation. Paul also refers to building a foundation as being part of the doctrine of Christ: In Hebrews 6:1, he says,"therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ...not laying again the foundation...." Paul then continues to list the content of the doctrine of Jesus.

As "Christians" - a word that means "little Christs" (after all, it's Him we should aspire to; the Head of the Body) - we must set ourselves upon something solid, a rock upon which we can assuredly set foot. That rock is nothing less than the doctrine of Christ. You see, there are three types of doctrine mentioned in Scripture: the doctrine of man, the doctrine of devils and the doctrine of Christ and of God. Second John 1:9-11 reads as follows: "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed. For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds."

A CLOSER LOOK AT HIS DOCTRINE

Let's look at 2 John 9 in the original language, okay? Get out that concordance and check this out for yourself: 'Whosoever goeth onward' (Greek: pas o proagwn). In other words, 'Every one who goes ahead.' Proagw literally means "to go on before." (See Mark 11:9). That in itself seems fine, industrious, like an ambitious self-starter...but wait! The text then says: 'And abideth not in the teaching OF Christ' (Greek: kai me menwn en te didache tou Christou). NOT the teaching about Christ, but the teaching OF or FROM Christ.

There it is! THAT alone is the standard of Christian doctrine; the teachings FROM Jesus TO all those who choose to follow Him. Over thirty times the Scriptures make some reference, some variation, to following Him; only ONE to being "born again." I believe God's trying to tell us something. We Christians make every effort to get people to be "born again" in accordance with our particular denomination's system for doing so, but make a universally meager attempt at teaching the Doctrine of Christ and thereby making disciples as Jesus commands us in Matthew 28:18-20: "...Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Our negligence in obeying this command explains MUCH of the problem in the Body of Christ today. We're vastly illiterate to what the Teacher taught and display a gross lack of concern regarding that of which we ARE aware.

The walk of Christ is the example for the Christian walk. Look at these verses in 1 John 2:6; 7:16; 18:19. Why did the author write so much about this subject? When this letter was written, the Gnostics claimed to be the enlightened ones of the day, the thinking class, and were anxious to leave Jesus in the dust as they raced forth into their own brand of spirituality. This same struggle continues today among scores as they approach Biblical studies. Is Jesus merely some sort of landmark along our path, or is He the goal, our example, as He claimed He was? Progress is good, but progress TOWARD Christ is what's important, NOT progress away from Him.

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils," (1Timothy 4:1). It's clear that in these dark and evil days many will give heed to such doctrines of devils. Satan, who appears as an angel of light, and his ministers as ministers of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:14,15), are seducing multitudes across the globe.

Biblical truth has been replaced with emotional substitutes.

Entertainment has replaced searching the Scriptures.

Many are being deceived and downright lulled into a false sense of security as they settle for Religion over Relationship with God. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 tells us that before the return of Christ, there will be a major defection from TRUTH in the Body of Christ. Jesus stated in John 8:32: "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." We can be sure that Satan will do all he can to keep people in spiritual and religious bondage. Hosea 4:6 rings true. It states: "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge."

The doctrine of Christ is presented by John as something required in order to have "both the Father and the Son." In presenting this concept, John uses the phrase, "he that abideth in the doctrine of Christ" (vs. 9). "Abideth" is from the Greek menon and means "to live, have as one's sphere; hence, to persist, walk in, or continue."

In other words, the doctrine of Christ is the realm of one who has God. I refer to this as one's "righteousness realm." To "abide in the doctrine of Christ" is not just an occasional acquaintance with His teachings, but familiarity and contact; you LIVE there and it resides IN you.

The doctrine of Christ is also presented by John as the means of revealing the worst-case consequences for recognizing a person's spiritual identity and acceptance (vs. 10, 11). First, the one not bringing the doctrine of Christ is characterized by "evil deeds." In other words, the absence of the doctrine of Christ is the presence of false teaching. Second, to accept, or fellowship, with those who do NOT bring the doctrine of Christ may lead to the spiritual seduction of the "partaker of his evil deeds" (vs. 11).

I'm stressing the two consequences of "abiding in the doctrine of Christ" to show the importance of this way of living. Some have wanted to segregate the two consequences. In today's ecumenical, why-can't-we-all-get-along climate, some seem to prefer belief in Jesus' deity as the sole requirement for fellowship. So, anyone who says they believe in Jesus' deity (doctrine ABOUT Christ) is considered a Christian. Those who restrict the doctrine of Christ to mean only teaching ABOUT Jesus and not include teaching FROM Jesus, end up accepting and incorporating the thinking that belief in Jesus' deity is all anybody needs. That's not belief; that's mere acknowledgement. Again, demons believe and they tremble (James 2:19).

We must understand "doctrine of Christ" in 2 John 1:9 to mean the doctrine FROM Jesus. Granted, we should exercise great caution in declaring what constitutes the Lord's teaching or doctrine. Those things that Jesus taught and/or exemplified or, at the very lest, implied, are the only things that can logically be looked upon as His doctrine. Some say, "but the Lord did many things besides what's written in Scripture...what if He did and said other things that we'll never know of?" It's true, John 21:25 says, "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written."

Let's think about this for a moment, shall we? First of all, if we don't have it written down to follow, why worry about it? Either the Scripture that we DO have was inspired by the Holy Spirit or it wasn't (2 Timothy 3:16 declares that is WAS). We can ALL focus on what we DO have in Scripture easily enough and not fuss about what one contends that we COULD have, but DON'T have, because it wasn't written about. Doing otherwise is basing our beliefs on conjecture and assumptions. Ludicrous!

Secondly, regarding that verse, let's refrain from checking our brains at the proverbial door. In three years of ministry, subtracting the recorded miracles, bath time, dinner time, prayer time, alone time, travel time, weddings, Sabbaths in the synagogue, not to mention the townsfolk's work time, school time, cleaning and cooking time, and chores and errands that might have kept many people from running to listen to the Rabbi teach, that leaves very little room for many more miracles that "COULD" have been written about, logically speaking. Sure, He might have raised more dead, healed more lame people, but we caught the drift in reading that which we DO have and didn't need more examples, obviously, or the Holy Spirit would have provided us more stuff that He deemed necessary. As far as what Jesus taught, His message of redemption and salvation is already VERY apparent in what we DO have to read. Aren't they? Don't we have enough to understand these concepts? Could it be that there were some really different teachings - the kind of stuff argued about by various denominations today - that never made it into the Book? I can't swallow that. The things we already have are enough to keep us studying and praying and debating as it is. Why would He have done anything more that we cannot even read about? Such can only be referred to as anti-doctrine and must be classified as mere conjecture.

Third, what John wrote there in chapter 21 verse 25 was mere hyperbole; an exaggeration. If I told John once, I told him 'a thousand times," stop exaggerating! With all our differences regarding the doctrine of Christ, it's a miracle that entire towns were "turned upside down" by the preaching of the Gospel.

You get the idea.

Many will try to force 2 John 9 into serving as the proof text for dismembering the Body of Christ. That's not right either. Such a practice opens the door for the spirit of Phariseeism and essentially declares that if anyone's practices disagree with our group's understandings or interpretations, then they are not abiding in the doctrine of Christ. In other words, "MY idea of what constitutes Christ's doctrine has been elevated to equal footing with God's Holy Word itself!" That's the epitome of arrogance, and will only result in further divisions within the Church.

THE FIRM FOUNDATION

The steps for building a good spiritual foundation are given in Luke 6:47:

1. Whosoever cometh to me...

2. Heareth my sayings...

3. And doeth them.

All three steps are required. It is not enough to acknowledge Jesus and His deity; Satan does that much. We must also listen to then DO what He has said. We must take personal action. Luke talks about a person coming to Jesus, hearing what He says, then failing to respond: "Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46). Anyone can read the doctrine of Christ and still not act upon it, preferring instead manmade doctrines and dogmas, traditions never once taught by Jesus that do nothing in terms of advancing His cause on planet Earth. Jesus is NOT truly Lord of a person's life until that person responds to His teachings. Far too often, Christians who claim to love Christ are far more enamored with their denomination or even their own spiritual work done in His Name.

The man who came to Jesus, heard His Word, and then acted on it is referred to as 'wise.' This man made sure the spiritual foundation of His life was firm. He dug deeper, outside his comfort zone - those first few inches of soil, removing everything between him and the Rock, Jesus Christ. the doctrine of Christ is the plan which shows how to build our spiritual life. It must be accepted as the absolute authority and the source of our spiritual foundation. Why? "...the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost," (2 Peter 1:21). The purpose of God's revelation is given in 2 Timothy 3:16: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." In other words, the Bible contains instruction in the basic doctrine of Christ. It also provides reproof and correction for failing to follow these teachings. Nothing else was needed.

CRACKS IN THE FOUNDATION

I knew a couple in ministry whose marriage was falling apart. Neither side would budge and the family of eight was literally divided. They were engaged in a civil war that wound up playing a huge part in the crumbling of an entire 300-member congregation. One thing that I recall vividly about their lovely home was this: an enormous crack in the foundation occurred during the time before he moved out, never to return. It literally ran diagonally from one corner of the house to the other, cracked the garage in half and shattered the driveway and a brick retaining wall between them and their neighbor. Extraordinary!

The man who built on a wrong foundation listened to the teachings of Christ but did not take personal action on what he heard. He is called a foolish man and is compared to a man who built without a foundation (Luke 6:49). His house was built on the sand instead of the rock (Matt 7:27). We build on the sand spiritually when we base our Christianity on the traditions or religious beliefs of man or of devils. It is thinking we can make ourselves spiritual or gain God's acceptance by our good works, church attendance, religious ceremonies and the like without any real, personal, relational, intimate knowledge of Jesus Himself.

Amazing! He's the ONLY way to the Father (John 14:6) but we foolishly try to attain that relationship by a zillion OTHER methods and systems INCLUDING Religion.

THE STORMS OF LIFE

Jesus' story of the two builders reveals another great truth; it's the nature of life on Earth to be stormy. Circumstances often result in many personal crises. We face death, disease, and disaster. Even Believers in Jesus face problems. Acts 14:22 warns that "we must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God." Jesus said, in John 16:33, "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." No one escapes the storms of life; they're necessary to test us and prove to us what we're made of. The storms of life are the same for all people are basically the same. What differs is how we respond to them. If your spiritual life doesn't have the right foundation, you will fall. What comes out of us when our come is shaken reveals what's been in there all along. Just as the house built on sand, the fall will be great. If your life is built on the right foundation - the teachings of Jesus Christ - the storm will not shake you: "Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain,"(Hebrews 12:26-27). When the shaking experiences come, that which cannot be shaken will remain. Those who stand have built a firm spiritual foundation.

THE FIRM FOUNDATION: A PRE-REQUISITE

As any building contractor can attest, a good foundation is a prerequisite for constructing a solid building. The word "prerequisite" means something is "required before." A proper foundation is required before constructing the "superstructure" upon it. A proper spiritual foundation is a prerequisite to spiritual maturity.

In Hebrews 6:1-3 we are told we cannot go on to perfection unless the spiritual foundation is properly laid. Spiritual maturity is the superstructure [the building] which rests on the spiritual foundation. If the foundation is wrong then the superstructure will not stand and you will never achieve spiritual maturity.

I believe that the lessons I broadcast by email explain things which must be part of our spiritual foundation. But as the parable of the two houses indicates, it is not enough to be INFORMED of the Lord's basic doctrine. We must make a personal response to these teachings and integrate these truths into the spiritual foundation of our lives. If we do not respond, we are like the man in the mirror described by James: "But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving our own selves. For if any be a hearer of the Word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass; For he beholdeth himself and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed," (James 1:22-25).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael's mission is to bring Discipleship and Encouragement to the Body of Christ. Since 1999, he has broadcast over 300 hundred inspirational articles and a dozen booklets on subjects that will interest the thinking Christian, all designed to accelerate the process of spiritual development in God's people.

He is the founder of t.e.a.m. ministries (team1min@aol.com). An Author, Pastoral Counselor and Teacher, his eMail broadcasts, known as "Your Town for Jesus" are reaching millions around the globe WEEKLY. Write team1min@aol.com if you'd like to SUBSCRIBE.

A licensed/ordained minister, a Certified Workplace Chaplain, and a Professional Member of NIBIC, he has ministered in Methodist, Pentecostal, Charismatic, Baptist, Disciples of Christ, College and Cowboy churches. He is also a Speaker on the Christian Speaker Network and may be available to speak to your church or Christian group.