Chapter 14: The Gift of Jesus

Page 32

After a full one-half century and more since Mr. Lewis’ observation

on the beginning of the corruption of the word Christian—I tell you that the word is corrupt and now meaningless. In the common use of the word today there are three observable definitions: a) A good person, or b) Someone who believes in the orthodox trinity dogma, and c) Someone who claims Jesus as

their savior yet continues to live a life of sin. How else could you explain a nation that claims to be 80-90% Christian in polls; yet with a cultural divide wherein 50% of evangelicals vote opposite of each other in most elections? Indeed, the use of the word Christian is meaningless today and far from its

original and intended meaning. It simply does not faithfully describe people belonging to God anymore. Many grossly misappropriate the word.

C.S. Lewis concludes: “We must therefore stick to the original, obvious meaning. The name Christians was first given at

Antioch (Acts 11:26) to ‘the disciples,’ to those who accepted the teaching of the apostles.”

Of course, these were followers of the teachings of Jesus Christ. In

that sense, these were people who “submitted to the will of God,” because that is what Jesus did and that is what he taught his followers to do. Yet how many Christians today can say that they submit to God’s will?

Followers Of Jesus Submit To God’s Will!

I am a follower of Jesus Christ and I submit daily to God’s will. That means I do exactly what Jesus taught us to do. It means I obey God’s Word;

I don’t try to alter it to cover any sins. Yet many Christians would call me a devil and a deceived person. That alone proves how useless the designation Christian is to me. I will settle for the term “child of God.” That works for me too. What about you; your family; and, your friends? Do all of you

accept the teachings of Jesus and his apostles? Or, do you believe in a more user friendly God who unconditionally sanctions all of your sins?

You can get right with God by starting to get real about Jesus and who he was and what the gift of Jesus is all about. It starts with righteousness.