4.08.2012
What is a True Christian?
In today's world, Christianity has become diverse with over 20,000 different Christian denominations; many of which profess completely different interpretations of the Bible. The Apostle Paul taught, "One Lord, one faith, one baptism." (Ephesians 4:5) So here we are, many of us trying our best to come to Jesus and be saved. How are we to know what "truth" is and where to go to find it?
In the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus spoke of how the shepherd left the flock to find the one. Each of us is important to our Lord. If we will call out to Him, He will find us. We should not put our trust in man, but in our Father who is in Heaven. If we will do our best in this life to embrace what we believe to be true based on the words of the Master, I believe much of the misunderstandings on points of doctrine will be resolved in the world to come. God is merciful to those who love Him.
In my experience I have met with many groups of people as I have traveled. I have come to know the Catholics, the Baptists, the Presbyterians, the Evangelicals, the Jehovah Witnesses, the Mormons (this is my faith), the Mennonites, and many more. One common feature I have seen in every denomination that professes Christ is that there are truly good people who love Jesus and wish to emulate Him in there lives. But there are also those who are filled with hypocrisy and find fault in everyone else but themselves. I'm not mentioning this to point fingers...it is simply a fact of the world we live in.
Anyone can call themselves a Christian. But when has the acceptance of others ever been a prerequisite to entering the Lord's Kingdom? I believe the only thing that matters is how we stand in the Lord's eyes. In my painting, the suffering Jesus looks back as if to say, "What will you do? Will you stand as a witness of me?"
I believe God will judge us based on what is in our heart and our actions. It is true that we are saved by the grace of Jesus if we come to Him and repent. But to be numbered among the true Disciples of Christ we must truly love Him. "If you love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15) And then He said, "Thou shalt love the Lord with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy self." (Matt 19:37-39) As humans, we often fall short, but if we strive to be more like Him and express that love through our service to others, we will be good Christians.
There is one more element that I believe qualifies one as a "true Christian." I like the scripture, "perfect love casteth out fear." (1 John 4:18) As a Christian, we must not fear. Even if it means that we must stand alone. And after we have done all that we can do, we must continue to stand. "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." (Matt 10:22) A true Christian's love for Jesus Christ will motivate him to stand up for his beliefs, to love others unconditionally, and to be an advocate for truth and righteousness...regardless of the consequences. That we may find the strength do so is my reason for painting this picture.
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Well said! Fear is a tool of Satan. Satan is also pointing out that "those Mormons baptize the dead", "those Catholics pray to Mary", and so on and so on. Christ told us to love each other and love God. If we point out "defects" in others with a loving heart, no problem. If we persecute others because of their differences, we are no different than those that nailed Christ to the cross. Love God, love your fellow man/woman, and fear not because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
ReplyDeleteI have followed on fb your commentary and paintings. I want you to know that I think your paintings are excellent. I too am of the mormon faith. I find that I do not always subscribe to your political beliefs but your commentary about faith and being a Christian is directly in line with my own, and my family and I always discuss your art and its message. Thank you for speaking up. We respect that and it always makes up think. You are doing God's work. I know that is true.
ReplyDeleteIn 2006, then Church president Gordon B. Hinckley declared that “no man who makes disparaging remarks concerning those of another race can consider himself a true disciple of Christ.
ReplyDeleteMarch 8, 1863: Brigham young, during a conference talk in the Tabernacle, as recorded in the Journal of Discourses 10:109, states: “Shall I tell you the law of God in regard to the African race? If the white man who belongs to the chosen seed mixes his blood with the seed of Cain, the penalty, under the law of God, is death on the spot. This will always be so.”
July 13, 1859: In an interview with Horace Greeley, editor of the New York Tribune, Brigham Young was asked:
HG: What is the position of your church with respect to slavery?
BY: We consider it of divine institution and not to be abolished until the curse pronounced on Ham shall have been removed from his descendants.
Jesus Himself told us what a true believer would be; someone who kept his commandments. How can a person claim His name and not do what He said?
ReplyDeleteThank you for being so outspoken about your (our) Christian beliefs. Way to not fear man. Thank you for also making such a stand on the way this country is going and showing it in your stunning paintings. You have a gift and it seems to me you are using it the way He would want you to, not that it matters what I think of what you are doing with them. Its not my decision to make. But I agree with your statements politically and religiously.
ReplyDeleteWhat is Christian about Republican philosophy and policy?
DeleteI have some Mormon friends who live in Provo, Bob & Claire Mellor! While I am not Mormon, I do love your religious and political commentary. Is there any place I can buy prints without buying paintings? I can't afford to buy some of the paintings but I would love some prints.
ReplyDeletebgs1, My prints are available at www.mcnaughtonart.com
ReplyDeleteMy favorite scripture is:
ReplyDeleteD&C 49:20
20 But it is not given that one man should possess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin.
And yet the socialists are evil?
Dear Jon,
ReplyDeleteAs your brother in Christ, I challenge you to look again at the words you write in this post and the message of fear you are spreading in the world through some of your art...
In this post you asked, ' What is a true Christian?'
(your) Answer: To be numbered among the true Disciples of Christ we must truly love Him. As you point out, Jesus said; "If you love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15)
It may be helpful to point out to you that this means to follows Jesus' commands; not just worship him, although an interesting argument was made at an Emory University Doctorate of Divinity conference that Jesus never sought personal praise or worship. Jesus doesn't need our praise, he needs us to follow his path. To be as he was.
As a practicing Christian, I'm confident that there is no need to point these out to you, but they almost all revolve around one thing... LOVE.
Q:Anyone can call themselves a Christian. But when has the acceptance of others ever been a prerequisite to entering the Lord's Kingdom?
A: And the second (commandment) is like unto the first, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy self." (Matt 19:37-39)
That means all neighbors. Not just the ones who look like you or share your political beliefs.
You wrote; 'There is one more element that I believe qualifies one as a "true Christian." I like the scripture, "perfect love casteth out fear." (1 John 4:18)
Couldn't agree more with you... Do you think your doodle (because I can never classify hate as art) of the President of the United States burning the constitution over your political slander is the type of 'perfect love casting out fear' that John was going for?
Seems to me you are working from the back end... More shallow fear casting out perfect love.
You said; I believe the only thing that matters is how we stand in the Lord's eyes. In my painting, the suffering Jesus looks back as if to say, "What will you do? Will you stand as a witness of me?"
Will you Jon? Are you expressing what Christ taught when you create art that is meant to divide rather than unite? Are you loving Christ or acting as he would when you bear false witness to your fellow man?
Your views are your own and as an American you have the right to express them. However, I'm not writing you as an American. If I were, I would point out FACTS not fears. Truths like the increase in our national deficit between the years 2001 and 2009. Facts about changes in our privacy laws and civil liberties in those same years.
But I'm not going there, because that is a dead end. We will not agree and that is ok. That is American.
In Christ however, there is no room for such dispute. His message and commandment is clear: "Love one another as he loves us. There is no greater love than this." (John 15:12)
Jesus gave his love freely to all. His words were not hidden in secret for his chosen few. Or those who could afford them. He did not die on the cross for Republicans or white Mormons or Capitalists. He did not slander or fear monger those who misunderstood or disagreed with him, even when it meant being tortured and put to death.
He forgave them. Which is to say he loved them... Something you will need to do if you want to be considered a "true Christian". Even by your own definition.
I just thought you'd like to know that you used the wrong form of, "there."
ReplyDeleteYou should have used, "their."