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.
outstanding article, Jon.
ReplyDeleteThank You
ReplyDeleteGood words! You captured the essence of our character of true Christians: we are to be recognized as a people that loves, first of and above all our Lord, and immediately after our neighbour as we love ourselves. God bless you and keep going your labour to God's Kingdom.
ReplyDeleteVery well said, Jon.
ReplyDeleteI think if we approach each other with the idea of seeing what we have in common instead of our differences we will become more loving towards one another. We all have a common desire to be saved. While there will be differences even in what we think of scripture passages, we would do ourselves and the world a great service if we start focusing on our similarities.
ReplyDeleteI am a Christian because I have made the Great Exchange of my life for Christ's. I seek to understand all that means by knowing Him and His word. Hood link to read. http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/?articleid=31550&columnid=3801
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement but I see a problem with people claiming to love Christ and keep His commandments who have no real idea what the bible actually says. If you ask people to define what they are you will get many different answers and if you compare those things with what the bible actually says you will be amazed at the ignorance. It is time that people actually study for themselves and quit accepting other peoples ideas of what they think that it says.
ReplyDeleteDear Jon, You have expressed your beliefs quite well. I believe many call themselves Christian because of tradition or because mom and dad were or they were baptized into the faith as babies. It is often like standing in a garage and saying you are a Cadillac. Anybody who sees you standing there knows you are a person, not a car. The folks who profess Christianity and haven't asked Christ into their hearts to be their Lord and Master, are kidding themselves. Revelation 3:20 says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." This tells me one has to acknowledge that Jesus will ask permission to enter into your life. We surrender ourselves as hosts to His presence by opening that door. Then we have a relationship on a personal basis. Christianity is a relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
ReplyDeleteAnd despite many from my own Christian background (Pentecostal, Assemblies of God) being unable to accept a Mormon because of preconceived beliefs of Mormons being deluded by Joseph Smith's teachings, I do not and I absolutely believe that there are many true Christians with in your faith. Do I agree with all of your churches teachings? No. And I'm sure likewise. But Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 2:2, "For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." I see that in you and many of my Mormon friends. I don't see that in some denominations or in their adherents. If they do make the Kingdom, won't the be surprised by those who greet them. The key to Heaven is Christ and our relationship with Him. Ephesians 2:8-9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast." I love you, brother.
TRUE CHRISTIANITY
ReplyDeleteThe Bible alone defines "true Christianity". Jesus himself states the simple truth of Salvation in John 14:6 which says: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Jesus told one of the "religious elite" named Nicodemus in John 3:3: "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." The Apostle Peter, speaking about the Lord Jesus Christ, boldly proclaimed in Acts 4:12: "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Finally Ephesians 2:8-9 says: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Being Saved (Born Again) is completely the work of the Lord Jesus Christ: 1st Corinthians 15:1-4 declares: "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" Our good works", i.e. righteousnesses, is repulsive to the Lord Jesus Christ if we do them in an effort to earn Salvation: Isaiah 64:6 says: "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." Only after Salvation is our good works acceptable to the Lord Jesus Christ: Ephesians 2:10 says: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
Any "religion" that adds ANYTHING to the Saving Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is a FALSE religion. This includes ALL "good works", extrabiblical teachings, or "following any teaching of ANY earthly person when that person adds to, or takes away from the teaching of the Bible. 1 John 4:1-4 says: "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."
I don't understand John how you can profess to know God when your a Mormon? Like they teach that they can become gods and goddesses. Mormons believe that Lucifer and Jesus are brothers. Mormons believe Jesus had at least three wives and children while he was on this earth. Mormons also teach that there is no salvation without Joseph Smith, Jesus but Joseph????. They teach that Joseph Smith holds the keys to the Kingdom of God. They teach that Jesus' death on the cross only partially saves the believer. They also teach that people will stand before God, Jesus and Joseph Smith on Judgement Day. People, the Mormon religion is truly a cult. This is not a Church or an Christian religion but rather it is a tool that Satan uses to deceive people into believing lies. If you know someone that regularly has Mormons in their home or visits their temples, you must warn them because this is a demonic trap. You cannot sit under these lies and not be polluted in some way. No matter what Mormons may say, just remember that the Mormons don't believe that the Holy Bible is 100% true. Mormons have their own books and doctrines that they believe are more accurate than the Holy Bible. So how can you talk about Gods word when you don't even believe it? I respect you for what you believe and you as an artist but really how can anyone seriously consider Mormonism?
ReplyDelete2 Peter 2:1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
McRickey, your description of me as a Mormon is about as accurate as a Democrat trying to explain the evil of Conservatism. You should be careful how you speak of another person who worships Jesus, there are many scriptures that talks about judging and accusing others.
DeleteMcRickey's comments are really strange and completely inaccurate. Where on earth could he have come up with this stuff?
ReplyDeleteI was a Navy Brat...Went to a lot of Churches in my time. My mom was a Southern Baptist and this was basically what I knew growing up...I learned all the books of the bible and was active in the Girls Association in our church,(much like the Girl Scouts). But it was when my father was assigned to a Navy base in Alameda, Cailfornia, that my Spiritual world was awakened. I was 13 andwe tried to keep going to the little church on base, but each week, it would be a different religious service. I went anyway...to a lot!! Although I am now 53 years old...I do not feel the need to Go to a Church of Man...We live on a few acres of land and I walk out on my land and look up and have my spiritual talks with Jesus and God and my Mama...If I die tonight, I know where I will be, right up there with my Mama, Jesus and God...I also believe that my faithful and much loved animals will be awaiting me when I arrive!!! Just my random thoughts!!! ~ Peace ~
ReplyDeleteMr. McNaughton,
ReplyDeleteI've seen your more popular paintings and as I also like symbolism, I've enjoyed them. I'm also encouraged by what you wrote in this blog post, but I admit I have reservations. I've been an on-fire Christian (just don't mistake that as "charismatic" lingo, I simply mean I've been more passionate) for a little over 3 years, and I've had some experience with different faiths that has improved my intuition.
My immediate thought upon reading the line, "It is true that we are saved by the grace of Jesus if we come to Him and repent," was 'what does he mean by that?' Because I realize that my interpretation of those terms might be different from a mormon's.
A simple question I would have for you, at the outset, would be whether you believe that Jesus Christ is God; whether He and the Father are co-equal and co-eternal, uncreated and the same being, yet distinct personas. This is one of the sticking points that divides Biblical Christianity from heretical groups. I wonder what you personally think of Christ's divinity, regardless of what "official" mormon teaching states (since I recognize that every individual does not necessarily adhere to the totality of the tenets of their faith's creeds).
Thank you for considering my comment, if you choose to answer. I'll make sure to subscribe to follow-up comments.
Hmm, Let's see. I have my personal beliefs and here they are: Jesus Christ is the Savior and my God. Through only Him can we be saved. It is His grace that makes this possible. There are points of doctine that differ between many Christian denominations. I don't really care whether someone approves of my doctrine. Our relationship with Jesus does not require public approval. I share my thoughts and paintings,which echo my own convictions.
DeleteI'm a bit disappointed you skirted the issue of the Trinity :/ What you have *said* is encouraging, though it's impossible to form an opinion of what is *not said*... I'm hopeful based on what you have said you believe, though, and all I would leave you with is an encouragement to continue reading the Bible. Because 'faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God,' so as long as anyone is diligently studying the Bible, I have faith that they will be counted as children of God when all is said and done. I'll make sure to pray for you. I do believe, based on my studies, that official mormon teaching is at odds with what you've said on this post and comment thread, but that's not a bad thing at all, since when measured against the Bible, 'authentic mormonism' is at odds with truth. You may disagree, of course. But just compare the two, I would say. I won't hang around here to criticize you. I'm glad you're willing to have a conversation about it. So few people want to listen to dissent.
DeleteKeep reading the Bible! :)
My journey to know Jesus is a personal one. Yes, I have studied the doctrines of Mormonism and I know there are some differences from mainstream Christianity. I have personal beliefs that are not taught within Mormonism. I am a free thinking man who worships Jesus as the Christ and I believe there is nothing more important than to KNOW Him. I'll leave it at that.
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