Christianity Today?

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (2 Timothy 3:5)

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. (Titus 1:16)

I was driving in my father-in-law’s car to work searching for a station broadcasting local traffic. I flipped through several of secular Hip Hop stations to hear some of the disc jockeys poking fun at Christianity. What made it even worse was they claimed to be so-called believers themselves. From making remarks of people going to hell, to even hearing Reverend Marvin Sapp encourage Monique to keep doing what she is doing; this is what today we call Christianity? I have searched in the scriptures, and examined this type of so-called Christianity. This type of so-called Christianity is deeply rooted in American society. Sometimes these people are coined as ‘Carnal Christians’, which quiet frankly is biblically false. Whatever type of Christian we may call them, these types of people are NOT CHRISTIANS. I repeat, THEY ARE NOT CHRISTIANS!

THEY ARE NOT CHRISTIANS

Now why do you say that about these men Karsten? Glad you asked. See, I used to be one of them. I used to drink and smoke, lust after women, and then go to church on Sunday. I sang on the Gospel choir and gossiped viciously about other men/women. I did exactly what these people do, while putting on the cloak like I am going to heaven. I was on my way to hell. Now, because of the Lord Jesus Christ, I long in my soul to see them redeemed and living for the Lord Jesus Christ. I long to see them be under sanctification and applying the Doctrines of Grace in their lives. Praise God. First, I must identify who these men really are. They are not Christians.

There seems to be the confusion these men possess godliness and holiness. They say all the right clichés, and lift their hands real well in church. They come to bible studies like they are interested in talking about God and make claims of needing to go to church more. But they can be some of the meanest devils you know my friends. They smile in your face and tear you to pieces like a lion behind your back. They don’t speak to you when you say hi to them. Or they’ll boast about themselves all day long. They run the deacon board and count all the money coming into the church. They set up funds to help poor people etc. Yet they turn right around and go clubbing, get drunk every weekend, fornicate but somehow make it to church every Sunday morning. They may have some knowledge of scriptures and voice vehemently their disagreements with certain texts of the bible. They’ll say that , “God knows their heart!” Just as long as they appear to be saved, so you’ll never question their love for Jesus Christ.
The key behavior to not is they are religious on the outside but their insides are real ugly, because there is no Jesus Christ within them.

If we look at the context of 2 Timothy 3 we see Paul writing to Timothy his beloved son in the Gospel. Paul may have sensed Timothy becoming spiritual weak in his walk. This could be due to the fact that there were these types of so-called Christians lurking in the church at Ephesus. He had reason to encourage Timothy due to the fact Paul knew his work for Christ was soon to be up (2 Timothy 4:6). So to give Timothy a good explanation of the perils a man of God faces in verses 1-9 of Chapter 3, Paul explains the state of this non-Christian men we see today. Notice that Paul says “they’re men”, and not saints (v2). Now let’s look at this verses 1-9 and see if they match up with these carnal Christians I am speaking of:

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. (2 Timothy 3:1-9)

Now look at and compare to these same descriptions fit the men well of today. They sing on Gospel stages all over the country. But if you get in their way, they’ll knock you down like a dog in the street. Hmmmm? Only one conclusion according to God’s Word, these men are not Christians.

DON’T BE DISCOURAGED

But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. (Matthew 13:25-29)
MacArthur’s Bible Commentary mentions the tare being a type of weed which could hardly be distinguished from wheat. Most likely an enemy would sow this into a man’s field destroying his livelihood catastrophically. This sounds discouraging I know. When I would see these types of so-called saints, I would think “if their not Christians, what am I?” The fact is it made me think, if they can put on a show, what am I doing? Don’t be discouraged my friends. Search and examine what true Christianity really is. Don’t look at these men as your way to Jesus Christ, but from their ways turn away. Love these men, long to see them saved and knowing the truth of Jesus Christ. To be honest, these people may lash at you but remember these words that Paul said by the mouth of God:

But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. (Romans 10:8-12)

God can save these so-called carnal believers. He can deliver them. Don’t conform to their worldly ways. Instead be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2). Love these men, and when you here them say the craziest things, be not afraid to tell them the truth. They’ll hate you, but Christ will love you. You keep telling them about the real Jesus Christ. Love them. I say to you again, love them. When they call you to come pick them up from the club because their too drunk to drive home. Get up and go get them. Take the time to let them know the truth of God’s Word. Explain to them who Jesus Christ really is. Let them not determine whether you are a Christian or not. No, let the word of God determine what Christianity truly is. That was the answer to defeating the apostasy that Paul explained here:

But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:10-17)