Nominal vs. Actual Christian

Nominal vs. Actual Christian            

Are you a Christian? Are you a nominal or an actual Christian?

If you’ve been around Christendom for very long you likely have heard the term, nominal Christian. The Google definition of nominal is “existing or being something in name only … may vary from the actual.” Synonyms are minimal and token. *

On the other hand, actual is defined as “existing in fact or reality, … not false.” Synonyms are authentic and genuine. **

The Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization (LCWE), founded by Billy Graham, defines a nominal Christian as "a person who has not responded in repentance and faith to Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and Lord." The LCWE notes that such a person "may be a practicing or non-practicing church member …  He may give intellectual assent to basic Christian doctrines and claim to be a Christian.” *** 

Photo by Josh Felise from Unsplash

I propose that a nominal Christian is a Christian in name only and thus not a Christian at all, according to the whole truth of Scripture. Ultimately, it is God who defines Christian—not any man. He is the final judge—not any man.

But if a person is not quite sure, especially if they don’t know exactly what the Bible really says about being a true follower of Jesus Christ, then it is of upmost importance to find out. Since one’s eternal destination depends on it, it’s the most important thing about anyone’s life, because none of us know when we’ll breathe our last breath. 

The gospel writer, Matthew warns that in that day some will proclaim, “Lord, Lord,” but will be turned away from God’s Eternal Kingdom and hear God say, “I never knew you; depart from me.”

God knows the thoughts and intents of every man’s heart. He knows thoroughly every sin and motive. The final reckoning will be done by the God of Creation. Only He knows, with certainty, what each one has done with His Son, Jesus, who came to earth to redeem whoever would believe and receive Him.

With God as the judge, there will be no explaining, no rationalizing, and no arguing. There will be no opportunity for a change of heart or a change of mind. 

“And it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgement” (Hebrews 9:27 NKJV).

A few years ago, when my grandson was about fourteen years old, we were discussing the recent death of a family member. I mentioned that at least that person was a Christian so we could be confident they were with Jesus and we would see them again. 

My grandson said, “Well if someone is not a Christian when they die, they can decide to be one then, can’t they?” 

I was surprised at his words, because here was a young fellow who had gone to church regularly all of his life. I was grateful to have to opportunity to get him straightened out on this primary Christian doctrine. And he seemed grateful to have accurate information. This is a Bible truth of upmost importance!

Granted, he was young. But he was a church kid—one who professes Christianity. 

When discussing questions like, “Are you ready to meet your maker?” and “Are you going to Heaven when you die?” I have heard people say things like, “Well, I sure hope so.” 

Another frequent answer is, “Well, I’m a good person.” 

What would be your answer? Or, how have you heard others respond?

The above answers suggest a lack of understanding of what it means to be a Christian—a true follower of Christ Jesus. Hoping so indicates a lack of assurance. An actual Christian would know what the Bible says well enough to know where they stand. 

Here are suggestions of what to do if you are not completely sure, beyond a doubt, that you are a born-again Christian—if you don’t have assurance that you’ll go to Heaven when you die—I suggest you do these things:

1- Pray right now and ask God to lead you to the way of salvation.

2- Say “Yes” to Jesus. “Yes, Jesus, I believe You are who the Bible says You are. I believe in You and want You to live in me. Please help me live according to Your ways. In Jesus name, amen.

3- Read the Bible, especially the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Learn Jesus. Get to know Him. He’s your Savior. 

4- Get involved in a Bible believing church. Don’t just attend on Sundays. Faithfully attend a Sunday School class or Bible study. Become a part of what God is doing in your community through His church.

5- Talk with an authentic Christian and tell that person of your decision to follow Jesus. Beware, there are lots of preachers and spiritual leaders who are themselves not actual Christians. The blind leading the blind is not what you need. It is God’s desire that none parish in Hell for eternity. (2 Peter 3:9) 

God gives us free will and we each choose for ourselves what we will do with Jesus. Therefore, the eternal destination for each of us is our own choice. 

  

“What a heartbreak it would be to live an almost Christian life, then almost get into Heaven.” -Author unknown

 

Jesus said, “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me” (Matthew 15:8).  

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6 NKJV).

Timothy proclaims that in the last days it will be common for people to commit many and various sins yet “having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (2 Timothy 3:1-7)

The Apostle John said, “He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:4 JKJV). 

Do you call yourself a Christian?  

Are you a nominal Christian or an authentic Christian?

When you pass through death’s portal and come face to face with the Living God, He will not ask that or any other questions because He will know. You will have already decided. Your decision to believe in and follow Jesus or not, prior to that moment, is all that matters. 

Please be sure you have the right answer. Eternity is a long, long time.

©Copyright 2019 Connie Wohlford

* https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nominal

** https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/actual

*** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nominal_Christian

Calmly Enduring (Patience)

Calmly Enduring (Patience)                    

You know what they say about patience—“watch out if you pray for patience, because then you’ll end up with lots of opportunities to need it.” 

I have really needed patience in the past few days. And it’s not because I had prayed for it recently. The need for it just came. Matter of fact, I was lambasted with a need for patience. 

My 1941 dictionary defines the noun, patience, as “the quality of being patient or calmly enduring.” * Google’s online dictionary adds, to “suffer without getting angry or upset.”

Also, a patient person is described as someone who “suffers pain, hardship, affliction, insult, etc., with calmness and equanimity; persevering; forbearing; waiting with calmness.” *

That word, equanimity, is interesting. It’s described as levelheadedness, mental calmness, and composure, especially in a difficult situation. 

I can say that, yes, I suffered emotional pain, affliction, and insult at the hands of another person and it was deliberate. The part about “calmness and equanimity,” I didn’t do so well. I think I would give myself a C-. I didn’t scream and holler or say something to the person I’d later regret (and hopefully I won’t), but I didn’t maintain mental composure either. 

I told our son, “Right now, I’m working on forgiveness.” 

He said, “That’s really tough when you’re still in the middle of the situation.”

How true. When a negative, hurtful situation is ongoing and we know we need to forgive—that we’re called to forgive—nobody said it would be easy. 

But God has not left us without help for difficult life situations that involve difficult people. We, who are followers of Jesus, have His very Spirit residing inside us. He’s there to guide us through dark places. 

We have the power of prayer to help lift us out of the snares of anger and unforgiveness. I continue in prayer for the other person as well as for myself. The thought, “but I deserve to be mad and I want to be mad,” must be worked through. It’s a process. God knows our thoughts and He knows our hearts. Kind thoughts and a pure heart are not automatic human responses—well, at least not for me. That’s why His mercy is new every morning (Lamentations 3:23) and His grace is sufficient in all situations (2 Corinthians 12:9). Thank You, Lord!

Each morning, I post a prayer for children on my social media. On this particular day, the prayer (written months in advance) was for patience and read: “Lord, help my children learn to patiently wait on You, knowing You readily hear their heart cries” (Psalm 40:1).

After praying that prayer for my family, I turned to Psalm 40 in my Bible and read the whole thing. I was reminded that reading and studying God’s Word is another help God has given to help us navigate tribulations. This Psalm, written by David, is subtitled, “Faith Persevering in Trial.”

After reading the entire psalm, I was encouraged and reassured that God sees and knows every minuscule detail of all our lives. I realize I need to allow my Creator to enter into my hurt and anger-filled situation and help me handle it His way. When I step back, He steps in.

David certainly knew about trials and conflicts. Here is part of what he wrote:

“I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry.

“He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. 

“He has put a new song in my mouth— praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the LORD.

“Blessed is that man who makes the LORD his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

“Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; and Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered” (Psalm 40:1-5).

As we travel through dealings with difficult situations and difficult emotions, lets allow God’s ways to enter in and be our light and guide.

Prayer for Children - Connie Wohlford

His indwelling Spirit, our privilege of prayer, and His Word are provided for our benefit to help us live life in abundance. Our role is to do our part in relying on them. 

Another blessing from God in hard times is the counsel of godly people. Family, friends, small groups, and minister professionals are gifts from God who help as sounding boards, encouragers, and prayer partners. 

I’m grateful to my Creator for His provision in all things. Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (NKJV). 

We usually think of this passage in relation to physical needs like food, clothing, and shelter. But it’s much more. His provision of unfailing love, amazing grace, unrelenting mercy, and unfathomable peace are provided for us in the here and now and will be intensified beyond our imaginations in God’s Eternal Kingdom. Glory be to God!  

How do you handle these kinds of situations? Your comments are welcome.

©Copyright 2019 Connie Wohlford 

*National Dictionary - 1941 Edition; P.F. Collier and Son Corporation, New York

Hearing but Not Doing

Hearing but Not Doing                      

Do you praise God in church—mindful of the melodious words flowing through your lips? Do those words reverberate in your spirit, triggering gratitude for God’s amazing love and grace while arousing adoration that flow upward to your Creator? 

Perhaps you sing an old hymn like “I Surrender All” or contemporary lyrics such as “Here I am down on my knees again, surrendering all … I surrender.” *   

These moments may cause us to humbly do just that—surrender. With heartfelt awe, we give ourselves to God.

Was the sermon so powerful and beautifully articulated that you knew things were going to be different? “Things are going to change,” you tell yourself.

Then what happens when we exit the church or auditorium? When you sang, “I want to know You, Lord,”* you meant every word. But then the whole next week went by and you didn’t read anything more than a two-minute devotional while your unopened Bible did nothing more than gather dust?

Photo by Connie Wohlford

We cannot get to know our Lord well without spending quality time in His Book. Maybe you meant it when you sang, “Lord, have Your way in me,” * but without reading His Book, it’s hard to know what His way is.

Hearing but not doing is an age-old scenario with God’s people. About 2,600 years ago Ezekiel wrote about the Israelites having the same problem. 

God spoke these words to Ezekiel: “‘As for you, son of man, the children of your people are talking about you beside the walls and in the doors of the houses; and they speak to one another, everyone saying to his brother, “Please come and hear what the word is that comes from the LORD.” So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain. Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them. And when this comes to pass—surely it will come—then they will know that a prophet has been among them’” (Ezekiel 33:30-33 NKJV).

You may ask, “What will come to pass? What is God talking about?” In the preceding verses of Ezekiel 33, God had told Ezekiel of the calamity that would befall the people if they did not follow God’s instructions. But, since that is not the theme of this post, I’ll not get go there. You can go read it for yourself if you wish. I will say, though, that the bad stuff did come to pass just as God prophesied through Ezekiel and it was not a pretty sight.

Just like those Israelites, we’re human beings with good intentions. We might show much love for God and for His spokesperson, our pastor. But then we turn and pursue what we believe is our own gain.

Let’s be mindful of the stirring words we hear in song or sermon and turn to actually do what we say we will do—those things God’s Word and His messengers teach us. Let the directives from the Holy Spirit not be little warm fuzzies but become a part of our very essence. Let us receive God’s truths as revelation rather than simple inspiration and “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14 NASB).

Instead of consequences let’s get rewards.  

Your comments are welcome.

©Copyright 2019 Connie Wohlford

* “I Surrender” – Hillsong Worship https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=s7jXASBWwwI