Christians Only

Reconciliation is the act of making two parties at variance “friends” again. Paul says, “Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).Sin separates man from God. God desires to be man’s friend. There is a need of reconciliation. It was man who departed. Thus, Paul says, “be reconciled to God.”Jesus is the only one to bring that reconciliation. As His hands stretched wide on the cross of Calvary, imagine one reaching out toward God while the other reached out toward man. It was on the cross that Jesus made it possible to be reconciled to God.

Do you know that you can be a Christian without ever joining any denomination? That’s right! YOU CAN BE A CHRISTIAN WITHOUT EVER JOINING ANY DENOMINATION!People are often surprised to learn when they read their New Testaments that the various religious groups we know of today are never mentioned. Denominations as we know them are of relatively modern origin.It is thrilling to learn that what made people “Christians only” in the first century can make people “Christians only” in the twenty-first century. God’s word is called “the seed.” Seed produces after its own kind. Apple seeds produce apples. Orange seeds produce oranges. God’s seed produces Christians.This message is presented to urge you to be “Christians only.” Friend, if we believe and do what people believed and did in the New Testament days, we will be what they were then — Christians — Christians only. We plead with you to simple New Testament Christianity.

Let me tell you about one of the strangest court cases in American history.Back during the days of the pony express, two men robbed a pony express carrier. They were caught, convicted, and sentenced to die by hanging. Friends brought the case of one of the men to the attention of the President of the United States. The President then signed a pardon for the one man. When the pardon was presented to him, he replied, “No thank you, I will die with my friend.”That man would have been free. Free to live and to do whatever he chose to do. But he rejected his pardon.There is, however, something stranger still. Everyday in this world men live under the penalty of spiritual death that ultimately will bring about eternal separation from God. Jesus Christ died on a cross and offered a pardon to all those who would accept it. Yet, millions die having rejected the pardon.

The FBI occasionally puts out a listing of the most wanted men in America. God has His list of most wanted men too. Here are some:The man who puts God before his business or other involvements.The man who brings his children to worship services rather than just sending them.The man who is willing to set a godly example for his children.The man who thinks more of Bible classes than he does of sleeping late on Sunday morning.The man who measures his giving by what he has left rather than what he has given.The man who goes to church services for Christ’s sake rather than to please someone else.The man who wants to help others rather than having others help him.The man who sees his faults before he sees faults of others.The prophet Micah wrote, “And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8).

In the past thirty-five years we have changed our minds about a lot of things including some things that we viewed as clearly right or wrong.Moral judgments are not made much anymore, especially not in the printed page or on television. Among intellectuals and commentators, judgment was long ago replaced by therapy. Ministers and priests have given way to clinics and counselors.The Unites States today has problems with drugs, high school sex, aids, and rape. None of these will go away until people in positions of responsibility come forward and explain in frank moral terms, that some of the things people do nowadays are wrong.The prophet Isaiah wrote, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness!” (Isa. 5:20)The prophet Jeremiah gives us the right direction: “a man's way is not in himself, Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps.” (Jer. 10:23)

Theodore Roosevelt once said, “It is not the critic who counts, pointing out how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds should have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again, but knows great enthusiasm and great devotion and spends himself.”It is always easy after an event for someone to say, “I would have done it differently.” Monday morning quarterbacks are not hard to find after the game has been played. It is much like the weather; everybody talks about it, but no one does anything about it.The Bible says that we all shall stand before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10). Live today so that you will not say in that day, “I wish had done things differently.” No man is promised tomorrow.

An Indian and two cowboys had ridden hard since daylight. Toward evening the cowboys talked hungrily about the big meals they would eat when they got to town. When one of them asked the Indian if he was hungry, he shrugged and said, “no.”Finally arriving at their destination, the three ordered steaks with all the trimmings. As the Indian proceeded to wolf down everything in sight, one of his friends reminded him that less than an hour ago he had told them that he wasn’t hungry.“Not wise to be hungry then,” he replied, “No food.”Every day food is available for the soul in our Bibles. The question is “are you hungry?” Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

Have you ever watched a bird sleeping on its perch and never falling off? How does it manage to do this?The secret of the bird not falling off its perch is in the tendons of the bird’s legs. They are so constructed that when the leg is bent at the knee, the claws contract and grip like a steel trap. The claws refuse to let go until the knees are unbent again. The bended knee gives the ability to hold on to his perch so tightly.From sleeping birds we learn the secret of holding on to things that are precious to us. The secret is in the bended knee of prayer.In 1 Thessalonians 5:17 the Revised Standard Version reads, “Pray constantly.” We are to give thanks always for all things (Eph. 5:20). James 5:16 reads, “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”Prayer is our communication avenue to God! Are you taking time to talk with God each day?

A man walked up to a vending machine, put in a coin, and pressed a button labeled “coffee, double cream, sugar.” No cup appeared, but the nozzle went into action sending forth coffee, cream and sugar. After the proper amounts had gone down the drain, the machine turned off.“Now that’s real automation!” exclaimed the man. “This thing even drinks it for you!”That is just how some people want their religion. They want to make a deposit, put in some money, and let the rest be taken care of automatically. But there is no such thing as automated devotion, automated prayers, automated worship, or automated service in benevolence. The religion of Jesus requires personal engagement. Beware of automated religion.2 Corinthians 5:10 says, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”

Two young brothers played in the local softball league. One year they found themselves on opposing teams. When the older brother’s team won, the younger brother was sad. But the next time his team won he was still sad. His father questioned him about it and he replied, “Yes, I won, but my brother lost. I wish there was a game where everybody could win.”There is a race where everyone can be a winner. It is called the Christian life. Everyone can win, regardless of race, social status, or abilities. The winners receive redemption, hope and fellowship with the saints and eventually a crown of righteousness. The winner’s circle is a glorious place, and there is room for all.1 Corinthians 15:57 says, “thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Everyone can be a winner, in Jesus Christ!