Quite plainly no one who draws their identity from Christianity will be pleased with that title. Whether God may grant either the boldness to read or by some hope of finding grievous error as motive to read for refuting, I can neither know nor care.
How God may use whatever motives a man may see, or think he does see, is of no matter to me. For it is far more than being of no matter, it is quite off limits…that is forbidden, for me to consider. For my own motives are often as obscure to me until revealed than every other man’s; despite any and all protestation I might make to the contrary. And yes, I have been foolish enough to either both think or say “But in my case I am sure I know what I am doing”. I am just a man as any other might claim.
And that will be the last time I will assign a capitol “C’ to christianity. Be that as it may.
I do have some inkling of an odious repugnance being found of some pertaining to the above. I suppose it could appear to others as it once did to me. It would take the form of “But shouldn’t you make absolutely sure what you say is of God?” as if this is something in any man’s hands to grasp. Praying much, or even fasting much in striving for piety; as if their exercise can absolutely assure by their practice anything to a man that he might offer as proving, shows itself vain. “I prayed much, so this must be God” or “I fasted and prayed much so this must be God” or even “I suffered much, so this must be God” are equally shown as nothing either a man should hold to himself for proof, much less offer to another as proof.
To speak (as we are commended) “as the oracles of God” does not ever imply our speaking will conclusively be right, but that the matter of speaking without equivocation now sets us firmly to the place of either commendation or rebuke. We have only spoken plainly. Our faith is not that we will always be “right” in anything, but rather that we have a faithful Lord given all charge of discipline and chastening over us, and who is true and real. Only He alone “proves” what is of Him.
And, of course, christianity as such cannot receive this. For by its own establishment (and seeking such) as something to the world recognizable it denies the very words of the Lord’s spirit speaking through our brother John:
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
Such striving to present an identity the world can recognize and receive, and drawing from that one’s own identity (if one does so) is as false as false as false can be. And we are not to be false to one another anymore than to any other. But if we are false with ourselves…what is left but to be false to all? Unfortunately the statement (if offered now) as to identity if pressed, or if rendered of will: “I am a christian” has been so conflated to the understanding as being a member of christianity that it has become almost all of useless.
Firstly, of course, if the speaker sees it so, and worse, if he endorses it in any way to a hearer. Being a member of Christ’s body the world cannot receive, nor ever will, but being a member of christianity is at least tolerated to some greater extent by many. And even quite acceptable in many circles. And where it is not found acceptable, even to some grievous persecution, I have confidence that those who may have once taken some comfort from “belonging to christianity” do, and have found, their crying out is not to their christianity for comfort or relief, but to a person. Religion, such as it is, is what we take to our self. Christ is all and always alone…given.
Just as being a true Jew and the religion of Judaism was conflated by some as standing with the faith of Abraham. And we know what John the Baptist said about stones being raised up to that place of pride as so easily to be done by God to shame that pride.
Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
And if we may put a fine point to it, there is only one man who impresses God the Father.
“Behold the Lamb of God”, he (John) also said.
And He is not at all as the first Adam (from whom all the religions of the world have also sprung) except in His submission to be made in likeness (Adam never “agreed” or submitted in obedience to such) of flesh. Adam had no part in submitting to being as he was formed or found himself, while Christ on the other hand submitted to being a sent one. We should never conflate the two in any way, fashion, or manner except in likeness of once having a body of dust perceivable.
The experiment remains simple. Do you (or I, for that matter) accept being made of clay to the ends of God’s purpose for it, or seek escape by grasping at being more; or trust God will fashion more in our submission to being found in fashion like a man? Do you or we hold any resentment for our weakness in flesh? Any residual blame toward any (yes! even Adam!, yes! even the Devil!) for our fashioning? If so, perhaps you have not yet seen what God can do in His weakness. And I know I surely haven’t seen the all of it.
Nevertheless these matters remain true, and to be explored:
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
and no less:
For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.
And I hold a great persuasion that if you have been able to read this far…even if with sputtering, spitting, rage, or some curiosity, it has been through a strength and power not your own.
I too have concluded that, in truth, being man is an acquired taste if to be reconciled to it without any blame or recrimination for being fashioned so. Quite at peace with being not God. And only the Christ of God can do this who is Himself the acquired taste, given.
If you loved me…
He once said to His disciples knowing their estate of heart long before they did. Just a few verses back they had protested of their willingness to die with and for Him…yet the Christ knew.
Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.
God forbid one blame Christ when he finally discovers how weak and unknowing of himself he truly is though Christ has told him how plainly this is so. For disciples have hope.
But it is all and only in One…and it is neither in being “a” christian or a member of christianity.
Are we acquiring a taste…given?
christianity can only strive to look right, Christ’s members have alone seen the Whom of all that is right. And sometimes hands miss-grip and mouths misspeak and ears miss-hear, but the Head alone knows all His intents and purposes. And is able to minister from there health (even if it be in stripes) to any part in necessity.
If this is not our faith of having a faithful Lord over us, perhaps we are both burdened with our yet illusions of our own abilities (that He must show as disabilities) and disillusioned as to His ability to reign not merely over His own body…but all of created things. For:
All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
Acquiring a taste for that most often comes (may only come) in consequence to His ministry of His authority…given.
As many as I love I rebuke and chasten…
Have a care as to what you despise.
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