Christian: #2 of 4

#2 of 4: Costly Misconceptions about "Christians"

Misconception #1:
Christians are people who share common Christian ideals
While it is true that all Christians do share a set of common beliefs, it is wrong to define Christians as people who shares the same Christian ideals. What is so wrong about it?

Well, first of all, such definition misses the most important essence of what makes a Christian, namely the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the restored Father and child relationship between the Maker of the universe and man. Such definition is lifeless and loveless. It fails to reconcile the very fact that even the demons believe what we believe and shudder (James 2:19). So just sharing the same belief, same theology is insufficient to make one a Christian. We cannot reduce God into a set of concepts. God is the Father to be close with via Christ by His Spirit. True Christians will not only know about Him intellectually from the mind without intimately loving Him from the heart.

We can know all about God but not know God at all!

      Neil T. Anderson, "Extreme Church Makeover"

Misconception #2: 
Being Born again is sufficient, Christ's Lordship is only for the die-hard   
Others misuse this term "Christian" to only describe the birth of a Christian as a redeemed (a.k.a. born again) sinner, but omits the life long journey of finishing well by living by the Spirit for Christ. Such omission brings deadly consequence.

Birth alone only creates a new spiritual nature in a sinner's soul that has the potential for a Christ-centered life. This spiritual birth is only a seed (Matthew 13; Mark 4: Luke 8, 1 Peter 1:23). As time goes by, the seed grows up to be a good tree that bears GOOD fruit (Luke 6:43-49). That's how we know the seed is good: by its fruit.

In the same token, just having the spiritual nature that has the potential to do good is not enough. Over time, IF indeed the Spirit of God lives inside (Romans 8:9), it blossoms into a Christ-centered life actually lived, with perseverance of faith, hope and love in Christ, that's how we know that we are truly His disciples.

Yielding to the lordship of Christ is a necessary heart condition for a sinner's spiritual re-birth by the Spirit. But it is also a necessary heart condition to journey on to glorify Him until it's finished. If we think and live as if Christ's lordship is optional for Christians, it will for sure lead to spiritual disaster, including spiritual death, down the road.

Misconception #3: 
Living by the Spirit is too mythical for practical everyday living 
If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.
For those who are led by the Spirit are children of God. [Romans 8:9, 14]
Therefore, living by the Spirit is the essential lifestyle of a Christian's everyday living. Learning and getting used to hearing and interacting with the Holy Spirit is very critical to a Christian's life and to put the spiritual nature to work. The "Do it yourself" Christian life style will never lead to anything fruitful.

Apostle Paul said, "brothers and sisters" [addressing to all redeemed sinners], "we have an obligation:
   - IF you live by the flesh, you will die,
   - IF you live by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body,
     you will live."  [Romans 8:12, 13]