Philippians 1:21 “True Christianity”
Often what passes for Christianity is not true Christianity.
Many people have no understanding of the nature of true Christianity.
We will look at some common misconceptions of Christianity and then focus on the essence of authentic Christianity.
What True Christianity is NOT
I am not a Christian because I was born in America. You might call this salvation by geography.
I am not a Christian because I had Christian parent. You might call this salvation by heredity.
I am not a Christian because I don’t do really bad things. You might call this salvation by subtraction.
I am not a Christian because I live a good life. You might call this salvation by morality.
I am not a Christian because I do good works. You might call this salvation by addition.
I am not a Christian because I go to church. You might call this salvation by osmosis.
I am not a Christian because I join a church. You might call this salvation by association.
I am not a Christian because I believe God exists. You might call this salvation by intellectual agreement or knowledge.
These all boil down to salvation by works.
True salvation is never a matter of works. Eph. 2:8-9.
What True Christianity IS
I am a Christian because Christ is my life. This is salvation by a Savior.
Galatians 2:20 explains Ephesians 1:21
I am a Christian with Christ in my life because I have surrendered to Him.
“It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship
True Christianity begins in absolute surrender.
Authentic Christianity is a living relationship.
Authentic Christianity is allowing God to take charge.
What is the foundation of my life? Is Christ?
For the Christian death is not a loss. It is a gain.
If Christ is our life, then death is the entrance to eternal life and eternal joy.
If for you to live is self, then death is a loss.
If for you to live is money, then death is a loss.
If for you to live is pleasure, then death is a loss.
If for you to live is power, then death is a loss.
If for you to live is family, then death is a loss.
If for you to live is career, then death is a loss.
If for you to live is anything but Christ, then death is a loss.
If for you to live is Christ, then death is gain.
We gain:
- A new home in heaven.
- Mansion without mortgage.
- New family and reunited with old family.
- A new body.
- A new joy.
This is the essence of true Christianity.
True Christianity means that Christ is my life.
