Many of you know that I’ve often spoken about the difference between being a Christian and being a Christ-follower. Many people call themselves Christian but follow Christ about as closely as the Amish follow WiFi hotspots. There’s a big difference between “wearing the label” and “actually following Christ”.
Well, much to my amusement the Community Christian Church has made a collection of videos to illustrate this point in the genre of the lovable Mac vs. PC commercials.
Now, as much as I’d like to think that people can take a joke and have a little fun, a cursory Google search revealed that dissension surrounds these videos within the “Christian” community. While many, like myself, get a big kick out of the clever and humorous way the actors make their point using a current, relevant spoof… others of the more “traditional” folk who fervently embrace their Christian label think that these videos send a dangerous message and are deceptive. What?!? Are you friggin’ serious?
Enjoy! 
I'm a Christ-follower, compelled by my faith toward reason, which points directly toward conservatism. This world's daily onslaught of lunacy offends my intellect and senses, so this is my venue to blow off steam.
Those are pretty good…
there’s a lot of people that believe simply by being an American that makes you a Christian….
If you like those ones… you should check out the one they did for the holidays.
It’s called ‘Reconsilosec’… Totally LYAO.
I hadn’t seen these videos before… really funny. Thanks for keeping me current, negative99.com. Yeah!
It funny thought how even the term Christ-follower can become a label. You can see my thoughts on those videos at the following link… http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=8ab3e32caeaaecf43355
I think that there should be no difference between a Christian and a Christ follower. However, many ‘Christians’ are not Christ followers. We all no this topic well. So, I am not one to run to a site that is labeled with Christ, God or whatever. But i will associate with Christians and Christ followers. With all of this said, i found a Christian video site that is super fast and only labels itself as being clean. I have found the vids that to be very good. have a look u guys: VideoPile.com
I believe that Christianity, the religion that took its name form Jesus the Christ, every few years tries to re-define itself to justify its non Christ (anointed) behavior. Someone within the membership of the huge religion gets convicted that Christianity is not producing anywhere near what Jesus the Christ did. And like so many other human beings, instead of working on changing themselves first to conform to the new truth they were convicted on…they start trying to change others or at least convict others to abide by THEIR new truth. This is made much easier by giving the new truth a title, usually a title loftier than what they are wanting to divide from. Today it has been given the title “Christ Follower”. Knowing that Christianity has and is, failing big time, this is their attempt at changing it. A very futile attempt I might add. Just as Christianity, instead of following the teaching of Christ, instead, follows MAN’S CONCEPT of the teachings of the Christ. And likewise, as all the other new truth break aways from Christianity, is following MAN CONCEPT. This has never worked and it never will. As Jesus said, “God is spirit and you must worship him in spirit and tin ruth”. And as he told the woman at the well, “There is coming a time and now is when you will no longer worhip God in the mountains nor in Jeruselem (the temple) but you will worship Him in spirit and truth.” I need to make a formal announcement to all you sweet and well intended Christians and Christ Followers, (the names being the only difference between the two) “Now hear this, Jesus has left the building! As a matter of fact, He left it over 2000 years ago.” If one is truly following what Christ did on earth and his teachings, I would have to ask them a few questions to confirm this proclamation of their following the Anointed one. have you forsaken EVEYTHING for him? Do you love Him more than every single member of your family, including your children? Are you absolutly positive that you can turn your other cheek after you are punched in the face, in the HEART? Are you totally unconcerned as to who becomes president of the U.S. because you know that GOD is in control of all (“Give unto Ceasar what is Ceasars and give unto GOD what is Gods”)? Are you free of lust, greed, selfishness, envy, coveting, etc.? Have you completely stopped judgment of your neighbor and realized that you can never throw the first stone…at anyone? Do you carry your cross like He told us to or do you just wear one (symbolism over substance)? Have you discovered that you have to become a church instead of going to one? Have you been convicted that His ways REALLY are NOT our ways and that His ways truly are higher than our ways? If you can not answer “yes” to these questions, you are not even close to where a follower of the teachings of Jesus the Christ is to be, which is, “In the world but not of the world. And you are plainly following man’s concept of HIS teachings and not those of The Christ. If there were truly as many anointed ones (Christians) as their membership numbers suggest…the whole universe would feel it! Look what Jesus and even other enlightened individuals accomplished all by themselves. Follower of Chist is just another division. Paul told the church at Corinth he had to feed them milk and not meat (deep things of GOD) because of DIVISION. Paul only mentioned four divisions, Paul, Cephus, Apollos, and Christ. I believe I read somewhere that there are 960 divisions of Christianity in the U.S.! If you can’t get the deep things with only four divisions…………
The advent of DNA has proven how uniquely individual we are, one from the other. The bible points this out even better, He knows the number of hairs on your head Not a forensic scientist in the world can tell you that. Our relationship with the Father has to be conducted on an individual and personal basis just like Jesus tried to show us. A relationship just like the one He had/has with the Father. Paul told us that for three years he was not around chief apostle or deciple, he got it all from the Lord! On an individual and personal basis! Guess what? Paul put his pants on just like the rest of us! We all were preordained and predestined….there’s proof of that DNA thing again. Please, everyone guit trying to redefine Christianity, realize it is MAN’S church, was never intended to replace our personal one on one relationship with the Father…as it so has. You are the church as an individual first, not as a group first…this is how one is to learn real faith. It truly is a VERY narrow and difficult gate to enter to follow the anointed one and become likewise. To truly follow we must press toward the mark…the mind of Christ. The ones that make it through the gate are the “some” He spoke of when He said, “Some of you standing here will see the Kingdom of God BEFORE you taste of death.” That “some” would be the ones that were able to die to self enough to become spiritual enough to recieve the mind of Christ (anointed one) and enter the Kingdom of God before dying. The Kingdom of God is awaiting each one of us on the inside of each one of us…just as Jesus told us. May God, It truly is a narrow gate to enter when we have the faith to seperate ourselves from the crowd, Christianity, etc., and step out of the box and develop one’s very personal relationship with the Father! May The Infinite Father of Life bless and keep you all.
@ steve “LOVE LIFE” fugate.
nice lecture, took me…5 minites of class time to read it.
About the topic:
I bileve that crisianty is ok but when the pastors or fallowers take it to certain extents, then i start thinking its a load.
so 4 the sake of humanity I ,gladiator, declare that…
its just an religon, get the f$#k over it.
im out, so please if you have ANY complaints please, leave a coment.
I have seen those videos on godtube (I guess the website name is changed now).
It is sad that we have to distinguish between ‘Christian’ and ‘Christ-Follower’. It wasn’t true for first century church though, they were called ‘Christians’ because they were following Christ.
First let me say, these videos are awesome, thank you for making them accessible to all, nevertheless, with that said, I would like to echo a actuality that is before us … “Every person’s perception is his/her reality” … in other words, most of us are guilty of self-worship (what do I mean by self-worship?) Well I mean, most of us are victims to our own deceptive thinking (“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9), most of us think just because we believe something, in some strange way it must be right, many people say, I believe in God, however when they begin utter what they think about their god, it becomes very clear that their god is not the same God of the Bible, even though they may identify their god by many of the biblical names mentioned in the Bible. They may even identify their god as Jesus Christ. Jesus’ own words confirm that many are deceived in His name, (Matthew.7:21 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity”). There are many people who are self deceived in the world today, thinking themselves to be something they are not, this can be clearly seen also in Galatians.6:3, “For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.” Just because something is real to us in our minds, it doesn’t necessarily make it true or right, unless there is Un-opinionated Bible to support it, otherwise it is wrong. This explains Christ’s words admonishing us to search the Scriptures to confirm rather or not our salvation is based on what we think about Jesus Christ or what the Bible actually reveals about HIM concerning the question of salvation, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me …” John5:39.The thing that I love most about the holy Bible, is that it speaks for itself apart from what we think or feel very strongly about. It is sad to say, but it must be said, ‘it is not what the Bible actually says that serve to divide us, but what we think the Bible is saying, that is the realism that divides us.’ These videos really do hit the nail on the head regarding a reality that has been, and is, and always will be until Jesus return to set things in order. And at that particular time Christ will separate the sheep from the goats, the wheat from the tars. Until than most people are stumbling around in their on unreliable, always changing, defective thinking, thinking themselves to be right when they are actually deluded. As Wisdom teaches us, “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” Proverbs.16:15
Thanks again for the videos and keep up the good work.
Respectfully,Samuel(a believer) in Jesus Christ only and not anything else
@Samuel
Some good thoughts! Thanks for stopping by.
I agree in principle that many people grab the Christian label but forget the teachings of christ.
This video may cross the line, by feeding the ‘ego’ of those who feel agree, making them feel good about themselves at the expense of others and their beliefs.
The argument was sound, and it is funny, but I’m not sure it’s not being hypocritical. We need to be aware that we do not become the very thing we ridicule.
I also have to say that “Christian” and “Christ Follower” are both labels. They do not accurately describe a faith. Faith is personal. I know many “christians” who are nothing like the guy on the left, and I know many people who ‘follow Christ’ who do not believe in the divinity of Christ.
The point is, I do NOT like labels, liberal/conservative or christian/christ follower. Where is the positive in this?
When I first heard the term Christ follower, I thought “hey, that may be me”, but in reading more on it, I just see the same thing, just packages differently.
the american identity is directly related to being christian but a complete antithesis to being a christ follower. from a very young age, everything in an american’s life is focused on the individual, it is a very self centered mentality. most americans believe that they have already been saved by christ and therefore need not do good in life, because it is all about them, and in their minds they deserve to reach heaven. whereas in europe, the majority of people believe they must work and suffer in life to reach salvation. in america, each person is their own deity simply because the culture teaches them to be so self involved.
“many ‘Christians’ are not Christ followers” This has got to be the primary reason people have started calling themselves “Christ-followers”. Makes no sense at all. Hey, maybe “christians who call themselves Christians are not “Christians” at all. After all, broad is the road that leads to destruction” (Matt 7:13) By the way, many followers of Christ stopped “following” (Jn 6:66) after Jesus said you must eat my body and drink my blood”, didn’t they? So who can be a chist-follower? Can a Buddhist, or Hinduism, Sikh, Sikhism, Musilim … there are probably huge numbers of folks in these belief systems that demonstrate Christ’s teaching of the Sermon on the Mount better than some Christian’s, but they are lost. How do we save them, if they are following Christ already? A cool video is jst cool. Being a Christian is a gift from God, given to Christians before they were born. Eph 1:5
He did this by predestining 1 us to adoption as his 2 sons 3 through Jesus Christ, according to the pleasure 4 of his will –
(0.98) Eph 1:11
In Christ 1 we too have been claimed as God’s own possession, 2 since we were predestined according to the one purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will
(0.93) Rom 8:29
because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son 1 would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 2
(0.93) Rom 8:30
And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.
That’s the good news about being a “Christian” !
@Dave – I don’t think I disagree with anything you just said… except perhaps the moments when you disagreed with me. Obviously someone who’s following Muhammed cannot also follow Jesus, since their teachings are diametrically opposed. I don’t consider the sum of Jesus’ teachings to be the Sermon on the Mount, though… so I guess I disagree with you there, too. You should have seen by my post that many, many people in this country (US) call themselves Christian (like 70% or something crazy). Do you mean to tell me that you think the US is really honestly 70% Christian? If so I have some Florida swamp land to sell you.
All throughout scripture indicates that God saves a remnant, 70% of the US Christian, there may be even more that call themselves Christian or Christ-Follower for that matter, but based on scripture, I believe a remnant are truly saved. My issue with the term “christ-follower” centers around emergent theology. If I understand it correctly,the emergent church would say that a person of any faith might be following Christ though they don’t even know it.
You say: Obviously someone who’s following Muhammed cannot also follow Jesus, since their teachings are diametrically opposed.
But some Christian teachers like Tony Campolo say:
“When it comes to what is ultimately important, the Muslim community’s sense of commitment to the poor is exactly in tune with where Jesus is in the 25th chapter of Matthew. That is the description of judgment day. And if that is the description of judgment day what can I say to an Islamic brother who has fed the hungry, and clothed the naked? You say, ‘But he hasn’t a personal relationship with Christ.’ I would argue with that. And I would say from a Christian perspective, in as much as you did it to the least of these you did it unto Christ. You did have a personal relationship with Christ, you just didn’t know it. And Jesus himself says: ‘On that day there will be many people who will say, when did we have this wonderful relationship with you, we don’t even know who you are …’ ‘Well, you didn’t know it was me, but when you did it to the least of these it was doing it to me’” (“On Evangelicals and Interfaith Cooperation,” Crosscurrents, Spring 2005, http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2096/is_1_55/ai_n13798048).
Also: “But this is not what many of the the most notable characters in the Emerging church (e.g. McClaren, McManus, Bell) mean when they use the term “gospel”; for Christ, in their view, did not primarily come to us as a Savior, who delivers us from His just wrath, but rather, He came to make us “Christ followers”. In other words, Jesus came as a moral example of how we might live, treat one another, and form communities.” (http://www.reformationtheology.com/2010/03/the_emergent_church_and_the_go_1.php)
Words and phrases mean things. Personally if someone calls themselves a Christ-Follower instead of Christian really makes no difference to me if that person is one saved by God’s grace and nothing else. No one truly saved can continue to live in sin, though they will fall from time to time.
Those who choose this new title because it’s cool might be missing the truth of what it cost Christ ultimately to secure our victory and the terrible consequences of missing that truth because they are of any faith but do good works, like Jesus did. Works will send many to hell who think they are serving Christ.
Thanks for your response. FYI I no longer live in FLA, but thanks for the land offer!
I agree.
Yeah, those who have chosen “Christ-follower” because it’s cool are missing the truth. And those who espouse emergent theology are missing the truth on an altogether new level.
Let’s put it this way… when I get to heaven I don’t think I’ll be seeing Bell, Campolo, McLaren, Wallis, et al. I think the readers of Matthew25.org will be VERY poorly represented and the readers of Sojourners.com won’t have enough people to field a volleyball team.
Sweet, nice to see that Christians look down upon people in their own faith as well as the rest of us. (:
ReDSCarELoL – Yeah, I know. As a Christian myself, it’s always strange that they can be your best friends, or worst enemies. Good thing out Lord is nothing like us.
Respectfully I think some of you are not getting the point of these videos, if I understand correctly, the purpose of these videos are not about labels, (though they refer to labels such as “Christians” or “Christ followers” to make their point), however they are about how so many buy into an idea of focusing on the outward man rather than the inward man of the heart. Peter when addressing wives in the faith, instruct them to focus on ‘the hidden man of the heart’ rather than ‘that outward adorning of the beautification of the shell (bodies)’
…1Peter.3:3, Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price” …
This teaching found in first Peter, though it refer to wives, nonetheless, the lesson that it conveys can be applied by all believers, rather male are female. Sad to say most of us are guilty of putting on an outward show of our faith (mostly to impress others that we are good people), rather than earnestly applying the word of God to our hearts that it may achieve a real change in us and through us. Only in this way God is truly glorify in our lives. Anything short of this is one seeking for what the Bible calls vain glory (if we found ourselves needing people to see us a certain way rather than how God views us, than we have missed the mark altogether).
Even Samuel a gifted prophet of God was guilty of approving God’s choice through judging by the outward appearances, note, 1samuel.16:6-7, … “And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him. 7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” … as Samuel misjudged because he saw as a man see and not as God see. So also we as men judge ourselves and others by this same low standard. The focus of most of us regarding ourselves and others is based on the outward appearances rather than God’s standard, His word. This is why we are admonished “to study to show thy self approved unto God” (2Timothy.2:15).
I will be the first to admit I myself have been guilty of and many others as well and some are still seeking vain glory (or for others to see them a certain way), this can be summed up in a two words, “man’s approval” rather than God’s. The Bible is very clear, one can have ‘the word of God’ and never apply it to their hearts, instead they are pleased to put on an outward show for men to see them and approve of them and their external workings rather than desiring God’s approval.
Note, Jesus said of the religious people who were experts to themselves at looking on the outward appearances and make judgments, however their hearts were far from God, Note, (Matthew.23:27-28) … “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” … these men were self deceived, though they had the teachings of the Law and the prophets. And yet they were still lost.
These same men were given to practices that promoted the outward idea of what it meant to be right, rather than God’s word as it applied to their hearts, Note, (matthew.15:1-9), … “Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, 2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 3 But he answered and said unto them, why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? 4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. 5 But ye say, whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; 6 and honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. 7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 this people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men”
… some of you may found what I’m about to say offensive, nevertheless many of you who profess to be under the umbrella of Christianity are just like these scribes and Pharisees, you care more about the unbiblical traditions of the elders of your religious establishments (or your church’s doctrine) as it apply to the outward man rather than caring about the commandment of God as it apply to your hearts.
With that said, these videos as far as I can see is not about labels (though they refer to labels such as “Christians” or “Christ followers” to make their point), but they serve to show how so many are given to teachings and practices that has no biblical support or mandate, and such individuals do it with a frame of mind that assumes that they are right, thinking themselves to be somewhere others are not, because they don’t look like you, are dress like you, nor are they given over to your idea of worship.
Those of us who are studious know that the scribes and Pharisees although outwardly appeared to be in right standing with God, yet they had no real care for the people, they were always ready to condemn at the drop of a hate. And their judgments were always contrary to Christ. I conclude with the words of David.
“The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him … The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged” (Ps.37: 32-33).
Thanks again for the videos, for though they be entertaining, they also convey a reality the Bible confirms to be so.
Sincerely, Samuel
Respectfully I think some of you are not getting the point of these videos, if I understand correctly, the purpose of these videos are not about labels, (though they refer to labels such as “Christians” or “Christ followers” to make their point), however they are about how so many buy into an idea of focusing on the outward man rather than the inward man of the heart. Peter when addressing wives in the faith, instruct them to focus on ‘the hidden man of the heart’ rather than ‘that outward adorning of the beautification of the shell (bodies)’ …1Peter.3:3, Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price” … This teaching found in first Peter, though it refer to wives, nonetheless, the lesson that it conveys can be applied by all believers, rather male are female. Sad to say most of us are guilty of putting on an outward show of our faith (mostly to impress others that we are good people), rather than earnestly applying the word of God to our hearts that it may achieve a real change in us and through us. Only in this way God is truly glorify in our lives. Anything short of this is one seeking for what the Bible calls vain glory (if we found ourselves needing people to see us a certain way rather than how God views us, than we have missed the mark altogether). Even Samuel a gifted prophet of God was guilty of approving God’s choice through judging by the outward appearances, note, 1samuel.16:6-7, … “And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him. 7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” … as Samuel misjudged because he saw as a man see and not as God see. So also we as men judge ourselves and others by this same low standard. The focus of most of us regarding ourselves and others is based on the outward appearances rather than God’s standard, His word. This is why we are admonished “to study to show thy self approved unto God” (2Timothy.2:15). I will be the first to admit I myself have been guilty of and many others as well and some are still seeking vain glory (or for others to see them a certain way), this can be summed up in a two words, “man’s approval” rather than God’s. The Bible is very clear, one can have ‘the word of God’ and never apply it to their hearts, instead they are pleased to put on an outward show for men to see them and approve of them and their external workings rather than desiring God’s approval. Note, Jesus said of the religious people who were experts to themselves at looking on the outward appearances and make judgments, however their hearts were far from God, Note, (Matthew.23:27-28) … “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” … these men were self deceived, though they had the teachings of the Law and the prophets. And yet they were still lost. These same men were given to practices that promoted the outward idea of what it meant to be right, rather than God’s word as it applied to their hearts, Note, (matthew.15:1-9), … “Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, 2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 3 But he answered and said unto them, why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? 4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. 5 But ye say, whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; 6 and honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. 7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 this people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men”… some of you may found what I’m about to say offensive, nevertheless many of you who profess to be under the umbrella of Christianity are just like these scribes and Pharisees, you care more about the unbiblical traditions of the elders of your religious establishments (or your church’s doctrine) as it apply to the outward man rather than caring about the commandment of God as it apply to your hearts. With that said, these videos as far as I can see is not about labels (though they refer to labels such as “Christians” or “Christ followers” to make their point), but they serve to show how so many are given to teachings and practices that has no biblical support or mandate, and such individuals do it with a frame of mind that assumes that they are right, thinking themselves to be somewhere others are not, because they don’t look like you, are dress like you, nor are they given over to your idea of worship. Those of us who are studious know that the scribes and Pharisees although outwardly appeared to be in right standing with God, yet they had no real care for the people, they were always ready to condemn at the drop of a hate. And their judgments were always contrary to Christ. I conclude with the words of David. “The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him … The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged” (Ps.37: 32-33). Thanks again for the videos, for though they be entertaining, they also convey a reality the Bible confirms to be so. Sincerely, Samuel
Respectfully I think some of you are not getting the point of these videos, if I understand correctly, the purpose of these videos are not about labels, (though they refer to labels such as “Christians” or “Christ followers” to make their point), however they are about how so many buy into an idea of focusing on the outward man rather than the inward man of the heart. Peter when addressing wives in the faith, instruct them to focus on ‘the hidden man of the heart’ rather than ‘that outward adorning of the beautification of the shell (bodies)’ …1Peter.3:3, Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price” … This teaching found in first Peter, though it refer to wives, nonetheless, the lesson that it conveys can be applied by all believers, rather male are female. Sad to say most of us are guilty of putting on an outward show of our faith (mostly to impress others that we are good people), rather than earnestly applying the word of God to our hearts that it may achieve a real change in us and through us. Only in this way God is truly glorify in our lives. Anything short of this is one seeking for what the Bible calls vain glory (if we found ourselves needing people to see us a certain way rather than how God views us, than we have missed the mark altogether). Even Samuel a gifted prophet of God was guilty of approving God’s choice through judging by the outward appearances, note, 1samuel.16:6-7, … “And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him. 7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” … as Samuel misjudged because he saw as a man see and not as God see. So also we as men judge ourselves and others by this same low standard. The focus of most of us regarding ourselves and others is based on the outward appearances rather than God’s standard, His word. This is why we are admonished “to study to show thy self approved unto God” (2Timothy.2:15). I will be the first to admit I myself have been guilty of and many others as well and some are still seeking vain glory (or for others to see them a certain way), this can be summed up in a two words, “man’s approval” rather than God’s. The Bible is very clear, one can have ‘the word of God’ and never apply it to their hearts, instead they are pleased to put on an outward show for men to see them and approve of them and their external workings rather than desiring God’s approval.
Dear sir/madam
Hello In charge
I visited your website and was deeply inspired. I saw a beautiful material present on the site. I found that you are doing a great work for Christ in the mean time. In fact I wanted to say that I am translator and I have been translating materials of various organizations in different languages. I have the command on English, Urdu, Punjabi, Sariaki and Arabic even. These are such languages which are commonly used in all over Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and many other parts of the world. So I desire that if that very material can be translated into various languages so that more and more people have this light of knowledge. . I wish that I can help you in this good work of the Lord which you are performing in the world. I can do also the work of video typing, English typing, Urdu Typing in different ways for example I can type for you in CorelDraw, MS.Word, In page etc. I hope that you will not neglect me totally and you will grant me a chance to serve you in either ways.
With best wishes and prayers
Zainab Naseem
I would rather be a Christ follower than a Christian any day. There are many types of Christians, but only one type of christ follower.
I have to say i agree with some comments and not sure what others mean on other comments! first i need to say any christian worried about the outward man needs to turn to the inward man and check themselves before they wreck themselves! next I believe some people are missing the mark simply because they don’t really know the god of this universe simply because they don’t know his only son. The one who we are supposed to follow! some may follow his teachings without even being born of the spirit! when jesus speaks to nicodemus in John 3:1-22 he explains that you must be born of the spirit! when we are born we are born sinners and born as slaves to sin! John 3:18 he that belives on him(jesus) is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, becuse he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten son of God.(KJV) Romans 3:10 as it is writte, there is none righteous no, not one. Romans 3:23 for all have sinned, and fome short of the glory of god! we are all sinners and none of us deserve heaven and most importantly and eternal life with an eternal relationship with the god of the universe. The question we should ask is, “what shows us we are sinners?” The answer is the law! Exodus 20 THE TEN COMMANDMENTS to name a few! now find someone who has never broken just one of these it is impossible aside from our lord jesus! Romans 3:19,20 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before GOD!(20) therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. you see its by the law we know that we are guilty before a just and holy God! Romans 6:23a states: for the wages of sin is death! you see a wage is a payment all of man owes a debt a payment for sin and that payment is death, now we know we will die a physical death but there is also a spiritual death its an eternal punishment in the lake of fire see( Rev.20:11-15, matt. 25:41, luke16:19-31) Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were still sinners christ died for us. You see we owe a payment but God made a way through jesus! Romans 6:23b But the gift of God is eternal life through jesus christ our lord. So this begs the question for some, how does one really become christ’s follower? Romans 10:9 that if thou confess with thy mouth the lord jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that god hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved! (born of the spirit, given eternal life)verse 10 for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. to be able to follow christ you have to be saved! who is salvation available to? well the answer is anyone who wants to know christ as savior and lord and escape an eternal damnation in hell! verse 12 for there is no difference between jew and gentile; for the same lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. v13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the lord shall be saved! you simply call or pray to god and confess jesus as lord and as your only way to be forgiven of your sins and that you believe in him as the son of god, savior, and that he has risen from the dead and repent of your sins you will be saved! next now how many prophessed christian in america and the world today have truly done this! a true born again believer of christ will be visible by his love he or she shows toward others, also mathew 4:19 and he(jesus) saith unto them, follow me, and i will make you fishers of men! once you come to know him as savior you are to follow him by living out romans chapter 12 and by going into the world and preaching the gospel( the good news that jesus died and rose again to set man free from sin!) most christians don’t live by romans 12 which tells us to live the best we can and thats salvation isn’t a free will to sin or live how you want. We are the body of christ but by the way we live and treat other we drve others away from knowing god on a personal level! we live in a world of post-modernlism which has driven people to belive in god but they creat god to their taste and call that god by the same name as the god of the bible which is the only living eternal almighty god! Another thing my fellow brothers and sisters in christ the authority is the word luke16:17 and it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail! (the word of god) if you arent past belief to conviction than go to the word! would you really die for what you believe! I know it would be an honor to lay my life down for the truth so one single soul would come to christ! read romans 9:2,3 we should be burden for the lost! would you run in front of a car to knocked a little child out of harms way? the answer for most is yes! Than why arent we reaching the lost at whatever the cost! If you so dare call your self a christian or a follower of christ and know christ then this is a charge to you that you need to be reaching your world for that includes (family, friends, and the world) oh another nugget we do this because we love christ john 14:15-21 says if you love him keep his commandments! this means we wrok because we are saved and we love, but we don’t work to be saved! ephesians 2:8,9 for by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of god: NOT OF YOUR WORKS, lest any man should boast. IF you think you are going to heaven because your a good person or you do works for god well you have beed decieved by the father of all lies satan! i pray that you come to know christ as savior and know the love that he can give! I said all that to say this christianity starts with the acknowledgment of sin and it starts at the cross with our risen savior! its time we woke up and told the world because his return is upon and before that he will the bride in christ home in the rapture! he is not willing that any should persish but all come to repentance! 2 peter 3:9 no one has to die and go to hell God made a way and that is what we need to get back to as christians!
Another thing i want to stress is once your a born again beliver of jesus search the word and stand on only the authority of the word not a mans opinion! try your best to present your body as a living sacrafice, holy acceptable unto god! the world will be able to tell you by your love are you idle minded or living for christ? are you concerned about where your friends and family are going to spend eternity or are you a bench warmer who is only concerned about how your own self image appears to others! live for him we should be as the moon reflecting the son as the moon reflects the sun! Can you say you are really living christ like? alot of people claim to be christian but do not know jesus at all!
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I’m a Christ Follower…
Above is the first in a series of parodies comparing a Christ Follower and a Christian. It all comes down to behaving like Christ; do we or don’t we? At this time if year, it’s especially notable to consider the type of life Jesus led …
[...] while back I posted links to a few videos that centered around the difference between being a Christian versus being a [...]
[...] videos about the difference between a Christian and a Christ-follower. If not, take a look: http://negative99.com/faith/christian-versus-christ-follower/ Just scroll down to the YouTube selections and enjoy! There’s more than one, take your [...]