by Steve Higginbotham
I’d like to tell you about a good friend of mine. I guess we’ve been friends now for more than a decade. During that time, I have never known her to drink alcohol, smoke, or do drugs. I’ve never heard her gossip or tell a single lie, and when I occasionally slip up and gossip in her presence, she doesn’t engage me. She doesn’t waste her time in nightclubs or dance halls. In fact, I can’t ever once remember hearing her speak with profanity or vulgarity. To my knowledge, she has never cheated anyone in a business deal, and while I’ve not always been the best friend to her, she’s always forgiven me and remains my friend.
After reading this description, many would guess my friend is a “good Christian.” And yet, she is not. You see, I’ve been describing my dog, Penny!
That “set-up” was for the purpose of reminding you that being a Christian involves more than merely not doing evil. Christianity is more than a restraint upon the lives of people. Christianity is positive. It is active. It is vibrant.
Yes, Christianity involves refraining from evil, but it is more than simply refraining from evil. Christianity involves doing good, but it involves more than simply doing good. Christianity involves more than possessing several of the attributes of Jesus.
We need to learn that not until one comes to Christ and obeys the gospel is he a Christian, regardless of how good he may be.
There is a vast difference between being Christ-like (many good religious people fall into this category) and being “in Christ.” There is a vast difference between being spiritually-minded and being “Spirit-filled.” And there is a vast difference between my dog and a good Christian!
If you’re not yet “in Christ,” I hope you will consider the implications of your decision and act in your best interest. Likewise, if you are “in Christ” you must be bearing fruit. A one-time act of obedience to Christ in baptism secures your forgiveness of past sins, but we must live lives that bear fruit to be faithful to God.
As we begin this new year, let’s make sure we are Christians and are Christians who are bearing fruit for the Lord.