Understanding an Almost Christian
The Dangers of Being an Almost Christian.
- The destination of an almost Christian is dangerous.
Jesus teaches about two different doors with two completely separate destinations. The large door is the way many people will go that leads to Hell. The small door is where few people will go that leads to Heaven. He talks about disguised distractors that will try to purposely lead people to the wrong door. This creates a real danger for people.
2. The deception of an almost Christian is dangerous.
The deception comes from thinking that knowing of God, knowing of Jesus, going to church, or growing up in a Christian environment is enough to save them. They truly think they are good but are not. This deception is so dangerous because it becomes self deception. They think they are good, so they do not see the dangerous reality of their condition. The challenge is to help them come to the realization of their condition and true need for Jesus.
The Distinctions of Being an Almost Christian.
- They think good intentions make them a Christian.
Matthew 7:13-15, 21-23 reveals that there are well-meaning people who have good intentions. They are very nice and giving. They do many good works for Jesus. They believe they are good people doing the actual teachings of Jesus. But, in the end, while they thought they knew Jesus, His response is that He never knew them. He reveals that they will not go to Heaven but will instead go to Hell.
2. They think growing up Christian makes them a Christian.
Just because a person grows up going to church faithfully means nothing when it comes to their own salvation. Just because their family is Christian and goes to church means nothing. Just because they know the Bible stories, were baptized, or know Christian songs means nothing when it comes to their own salvation. Our job is to help the almost Christian see past these external aspects of Christianity and see their true need to have a point in time when they have called on Jesus for salvation.
3. They think that knowing of God or Jesus Christ makes them a Christian.
In Matthew 7:21, these people know the name of Jesus, but He does not know them. Many people think that knowing “about God” or “of Jesus Christ” is enough to get them to Heaven. You can have an intellectual acknowledgment of something but not have ventured trust in it. What is the difference? The Bible tells us in James 2:19 that “The devils believe and tremble.” This reveals that we can have a head knowledge of Jesus but have not ventured faith in Him. This is why you can know all about Jesus but not believe in Him for salvation. This is why you can do many good works for Jesus but not believe in Him for salvation. In Jesus’ day, many people saw Him with their eyes. They knew His name and heard His teachings, but neither of these meant they were saved. The Bible teaches that there has to be a decision of our free will which occurs at a specific point in time.
Many people and many religions believe there is a God. Are all these going to Heaven? If this is the case, then why did Jesus have to die? Why must we call on Jesus Christ for salvation? Why must believers go into all the world and preach the gospel? It is those who do the will of the Father that Jesus knows and go to Heaven. What is the will of the Father? John 6:40 tells us, “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day." Notice the two words that Jesus uses, “sees” and “believes.” Simply seeing Jesus or knowing of Him is not enough. It requires believing in Him. Believeth is a verb meaning to trust or place confidence in. We can help these almost Christians understand what it means to believe in Jesus or place their faith in Him.
Faith is “ventured trust.” Faith is venturing trust into something or someone because you have good reasons to do so. Faith is full “belief in” not merely “belief of.” A plane can help people understand faith. We can stand looking at a plane, knowing it is a plane, and know all about every aspect of that plane. We can stand staring at the plane with our ticket in hand and believe that it is safe and reliable. This is a form of knowledge but it is not faith. It only becomes faith when we “venture onto” the plane. You do not have faith in the plane and its pilots until you step onto the plane. Stepping onto the plane is venturing trust in the plane or placing your faith in the plane. Faith is a free act of the will. The mind discovers and can give reasons to believe but it is an act of the will to believe. You can check the plane out all you want but you have to exercise your will to get on the plane.
Avoid Being an Almost Christian.
The Bible uses two words, “call” and “believe”, interchangeably in order to place our faith or venture trust in Jesus. Both of these are verbs that require a deliberate decision at a specific point in time. You have “ventured trust” in Him when you call out to Jesus to save you.
