…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

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.

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!

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” !

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.

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.

Thanks again for the videos and keep up the good work.
Respectfully,Samuel(a believer) in Jesus Christ only and not anything else

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.

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.