I Am A Christian

Moving into the age of the internet and social media where disinformation is the rule rather than the exception, the term "evangelical" now take on much more baggage. If I were to say that I accept "American evangelicalism," for most people that would mean I support Trump and far right Maga. If I say I am an evangelical who does not support Trump they would view me as a confused anomaly. For lack of definition, I would have to say that if it means I am a confused anomaly then I would embrace it proudly.....which, I suppose, is the reason I don't embrace or even suggest I am supportive of American evangelicalism. “In Antioch . . . the disciples were first called ‘Christians’” (Acts 11:26). I accept the word "Christian" in it's purest sense. It needs no embellishment.

"Go from me I never knew you" is forever.

And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. -I Cor 3:1

Paul's statement follows his discussion in the previous chapter, where he explains that true wisdom comes from the Holy Spirit, not from human philosophy. In verse 1, he directly addresses the Corinthians' inability to grasp this deeper, spiritual truth. The Corinthians were creating divisions by aligning themselves with different church leaders, saying things like, "I follow Paul" or "I follow Apollos". Paul uses this very behavior as evidence of their immaturity and worldly mindset, demonstrating that they are focused on human leaders rather than Christ. The passage establishes a contrast between the spiritual person (one who is guided by the Holy Spirit) and the carnal or fleshly person (one who is still influenced by the ways of the world). Paul emphasizes that the Corinthians' jealousy and quarreling are clear signs of their carnal nature. Paul's rebuke was not meant to condemn the Corinthians' salvation, but to challenge their behavior. He calls them "brethren" and "in Christ," which confirms their status as believers, but makes it clear that they are living in a way that is inconsistent with their new identity.

We might have a favorite Christian author, pastor, or even church or church group. Maturity, however, depends on your relationship with God first and foremost. Authors, Pastors, Churches and Church groups can point the way, but they are not THE way. Always seek the way that you know that on that day God will say He knows you because "Go from me I never knew you" is forever.

Christianity dies or thrives based on simple knowledge or lack of

According to a report from the American Worldview Inventory 2025, 84 per cent of Americans believe that sin exists, but just over half believe that everyone sins. Only 52% of American adults are willing to concede that they themselves are sinner, a figure that rises to two thirds among self-described Christians. A third of adults say that they do not sin, but everyone else does, according to the report which was compiled by the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University. Among those who describe themselves as born-again Christians, a quarter will not accept being called a “sinner” and 7o % believe that people are “basically good at heart”. The research also indicated that age may be a slight factor in the belief in universal sinfulness. Around 41 per cent of Generation Z believe that everyone sins, compared to 49 per cent of Millennials, 53 per cent of Gen X and 57 per cent of Baby Boomers.
​ I dont know for sure what all this means in the end, but I suspect defining what a Christian would be just as unremarkable in statistics. The 70% who believe that people are basically good at heart should read Jeremiah Chapter 17 which states very clearly: “The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?"
Christianity dies or thrives based on that simple knowledge or lack of. Blaming church leadership and pastors, even though there may be some truth to it, would not fix the problem. In the end when Jesus says he knows you, what your "pastor" said will not be a wise response. You do not want to hear "Go from me, I never knew you" because it is forever. ​

Don’t elevate a politician to messianic status.

1. Don’t equate the biblical kingdom of God with any human political party or nation. We must maintain the distinctiveness between God’s kingdom and the kingdoms of this world. We must never fuse the two (John18:36; Matt.6:33).
2. Don’t elevate a politician to messianic status. People often falsely think a politician can single-handedly produce supernatural social results. We have one Lord, and we must resist any attempt to exalt politicians to unrealistic heights (Matt.7:15; 1Pet.3:15).
3. Don’t just vote, but pray for the leaders of all political parties. Christians can be tempted to bless the politician of their choice, and curse his or her opponent, but remember, we must pray even for our enemies (1Tim.2:1–2; Matt.5:44).
4. Don’t forget that your ultimate security is in the unshakeable kingdom of God. Many Christians often elevate the outcome of presidential elections to an apocalyptic status. If a particular presidential candidate does not win, we begin to think or act as if the world will end. In so doing, however, we express an unbelief in the active sovereignty of God over human affairs (Heb.12:26–29).
5. Don’t bring the polarization of partisan politics into the family of God. Every Christian has freedom of conscience before God, and we must guard against allowing political perspectives to divide the church (Rom.16:17; 1Cor.1:11–12).
6. Don’t demonize anyone. Every person has been created in the image of God, and Christians must not demonize or dehumanize other people, whether we agree with them politically or not (Col.3:8; James4:12).
7. Don’t engage in angry, hostile confrontation. Present your political convictions through civil debate and rational dialogue instead. Confrontational arguments demonstrate an ugly pride that demeans Jesus Christ (James1:19–20; 2Tim.2:14).
8. Don’t become so intertwined with one political party that you forfeit your independence. When you do, you lose your right to be heard and to speak and clarify biblical truth to all politicians and political parties (1Tim.3:15; Rom.3:4).
9. Don’t allow yourself to support attempts to divide races, male and female, rich and poor, or young and old. Partisan politics often divides society into voting blocks, and separates society instead of uniting it. Christians should function as peacemakers and reconcilers in the public square and should resist every temptation to join the game of dividing people for political gain (Matt.5:9; 2Cor.5:18–19).
10. Don’t simply curse the darkness, but constructively engage it. The cultural and missional mandate of kingdom Christians is not to curse the darkness in our world, but to act as illuminating light and preserving salt. We must share the light of God’s truth and work to maintain the common welfare of our nation by overcoming evil through doing good (Matt.5:13–16).
This list appeared in the Viewpoint column of the Christian Research Journal, volume 31, number 04 (2008).