Practical Hints About Authentic Christian Faith

All things are lawful unto me, 

but all things are not expedient: 

all things are lawful for me, 

but I will not be brought under 

the power of any.

1Corinthians 6:12

     The series of blogs in regards to the current state of Christianity was an attempt to point out the problems with cultural Christianity a problem that not only plagues the church but also plagues the nation.  It was not an easy thing to do for many people will object to being given this information of negativity and only desire to have those things that "tickle the ear." The cultural Christian church today as all the ideas concerning the major doctrines of our faith, and as can be seen by attending almost any church that there is a result of a lowering the standards set by the Bible, and by the nation in which they live not just by unbelievers but by believers there has been a settling for a cultural substitute. we must never forget that the Bible holds forth power and beauty and is only true if it is based upon Authentic Christian Faith.  A person who will take the time to look at Authentic Christian Faith they will say that it bears the mark of divine origin.

     Do not make this mistake: thinking that there is no great difference between Authentic Christian Faith and cultural Christianity.  This difference is not simply a matter of different opinions, and of course there are, rather it lies at the very heart of religious debate.  This difference is not just a matter of indifference as some things that are indifferent should not be a cause for debate rather it is this difference between the major doctrines and this declares that cultural Christianity is not Authentic Christianity. cultural Christianity lacks the very elements that make up Authentic Christianity.  Many have been misled and are engrossed into this charade and they have a need to look closely at the Bible and to compare what they believe and how they act with what the Bible actually teaches.  It is my hope that person, any person, all people, will recognize that there is a shallow substitute that has been settled upon by many people and they have a need to return to the true Gospel and not just another gospel: "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ another gospel: which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would put for the gospel of Christ." Authentic Christians endure to the finish so that they will be complete and be without defect.

     Many good things are being done within Christianity, there are those who are helping people medically, the building of homes, and working with people who have addictions and are in need of recovery, the teaching of children, church camps, and the like showing that many in the main are right, yet there is that in which we are slovenly.  There is a word that is not used very often in this day and age we see it everywhere celebrities think and they're so smart and so important that there were a tuxedo and then Blair and issues.  There is such a need in this day and age to be independent.  There is a need in this day and age for a person to be entitled.  What is it mean to be slovenly?  It means to be untidy or unclean in appearance or habits, to be slip shod, careless or be in a slipshod manner.  There should never be a cause to be so often we, whether it be in the way we eat, drink, dress, or in the way we worship God.  Our relationship to God must be right and our external expression of that relationship must be right.  Yet, go to almost any church and you will see men and women dressed as though they were going to the park to play.  Man dressed in shorts, shower shoes, hair unkempt, fidgeting around as we see with many children, yet, how often have I personally seen that those same men who are leaders of the church dress this way but dressed great respect, suits and ties, haircut, shoes shined, and all this is for is possibly a wedding anniversary, or some other anniversary, or maybe they've had to go before other people and they know that this is the proper way to appear before others.  If you go to the church and they looked like the world and often this is so that their independence will not be disrupted.  We see women with red dresses cut so low that we see threats, skirts so high barely covering their butt pics as or having the need to do special things so that their privates are not expose.  We see men and women getting tattoos, men wearing earrings, or letting their hair grow so long that they've got put in a ponytail, and yet they never give a reason for not showing respect before our Savior Jesus Christ and our great God, no, all they give is excuses.

     Oh!  You say; they can't afford it!  That may be true, what about those who can afford to dressed what we consider in the United States as respectable dress?  Would they go before the president of the United States look like they just got out of a swimming pool?  No!  So why would they go before our great God and Savior looking like world, allowing cultural Christianity to slip into their excuses?  If a person is in need is it not what the Bible teaches that we are to care for that person.  Let's get real: I personally have three suits, very expensive suits, and neither set of suits cost me more than $13.  I have ties that cost me one dollar.  I have shirts that I can buy and have bought that are less than six dollars. we should care for one another and raised the bar of respectability and not lowered the bar to meet a person's inability causing them to remain in a lower standard.  It is time For Authentic Christians saying they love and care for one another, it is time to do something. yes!  That is being done in some churches and you may be involved in helping people showing the love of Jesus Christ of others who are in need and you are to be applauded.  You are doing exactly what our Lord and Savior requires of an Authentic Christians.

      So the next blogs will be deciding who teaches practical hints about Authentic Christian Faith.  I believe with all my heart that deep down inside a truthful seeking person that there is a desire to live and Authentic Christian Faith.  I hope to help you and me to do just that, so the next blogs will aid us grow in knowledge or Lord and add this to our virtue as Peter admonished us to do.

 Serve the LORD with gladness:

     come before He Is presence was singing.

Know ye that the LORD He is God:

     it is He that hath made us,

 and not we ourselves; we are His people,

      and the sheep of His pasture.

                      Psalms 100: 2 -- 3

Serve Jesus Christ with all your being

Richard L. Crumb