Staking a Valid Claim on the Name of Christ

I was thinking the other day about the excuse that is often told when a person rejects Christ’s Lordship that goes something like this – ‘I would follow Christ, if it were not for all of the Christians and my fear of what it will turn me into.’ This is usually not meant to be flattering in a way that depicts a transformed life for good, but is instead a reference to the many vile and hypocritical behaviors that we Christians involve ourselves in, all while claiming the name of Christ. In fact, although the quote is typically taken out of context, it was Gandhi who stated something similar during an interview with a Christian missionary E. Stanley Jones.  Putting aside for a moment the problem of self righteousness that the quote creates, it did get me wondering about the validity of many people's claims on the name of Christ. Are there really that many messed up Christians?  Are they really Christians?

What does it mean to claim the name of Christ?

Back in the days of the settlers a claim was a way to ensure that a person was able to secure his property rights in a parcel of land.  It might start out with erecting a family flag or noticeable sign on a piece of land, and then progress with filing a legal claim back east, or at the courthouse so that the claim has authority and enforceability beyond just meaningless words.  Certain factual elements had to be in place for it to be valid.

You see a claim was not just a simple declaration that “this land is now mine.”  Can you imagine coming home to your house or apartment tonight and finding someone on your couch watching TV and as you ask what’s going on they reply, “This is now my house, I’ve claimed it.”  Just like in the days of the settlers, there has to be a way of proving that a claim is valid.  Many of the same elements of a legal claim still exist today – public notice, reasonable control, ability to exclude, ability to transfer ownership… The list goes on and on.  But if those elements aren’t met, then legally the claim on that property is not valid.  You don’t own that property any more then the next guy.

So how do I know my claim on Christ’s name is valid?  How do I know that I have rights in Christ’s identity so that I can call myself by his name?  It’s interesting how the law reflects God’s design for how things work.

According to John 15:19 a Christian’s property interests are “not of this world.”  That occurs when we stake a valid claim on the name of Jesus.  Just as a claim on property requires a valid claim with certain elements met to validate it, a claim on Christ also requires certain elements in order for a valid claim on the name of Christ to exist.  Here are the elements that Paul lays out in Romans 10:9-10 to “be saved” and “unto salvation”:

-          Law of the Spirit element #1:  Confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus

The first element for a valid claim on the name of Christ is a declaration.  While a declaration alone doesn’t secure a claim, it is required. Notice what the declaration requires, in that you must declare that Jesus Christ is Lord.  That word Lord denotes ruler of all!  All, in case you didn’t catch it, includes you.  So a declaration of Christ’s Lordship implies that you are declaring that Jesus Christ is the ruler of your life.  You are declaring that you surrender absolute and perpetual control of your will to him in all things.

-          Law of the Spirit element #2:  believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead.

The second element for a valid claim on the name of Christ is a heart belief that God hath raised him from the dead.  This separates the pretenders who merely want to claim Jesus with their mouth from those with a real claim on the name of Jesus.  Only God knows what a person really believes in their heart, but consider this - real belief results in behavior based on what is believed. James 2:17.

Those are the two broad elements of a valid legal claim on the name of Christ.  But just like the elements of the law today, often it takes an unwrapping of a lot of the key terms to fully appreciate what your valid claim has given you.  In the secular legal system, judges use case law to find out how the codes and statutes are to be applied and defined.  As Christians we look to the cases and references found in the scripture.  What words are important here?  Well, all of them.  God’s Word contains no filler and to properly understand your claim on Christ means that every aspect of those elements must be applied.  The challenge however is not in their complexity, for God’s way is truly simple and not meant to confound.  The challenge then is knowing and believing the meaning of these words.

Let me challenge you to study out the meaning of your claim this week by reviewing what the scripture says about the words: Confess, Mouth, Lord, Believe, Heart, Raised and Dead.  Spend some time on these words and let them saturate your understanding.

Perhaps you’re not sure if the claim you thought you had on Jesus is valid.  You need to find out.  Make sure your claim to Christ isn’t an incomplete declaration.  Make sure that your claim to Christ is based on real belief.  Don’t assume because you said a few words or gave mental assent to an idea that you have a valid claim.  If you want more information, send us an E-mail.  If you need prayer, send us an E-mail.  We’d love to hear from you.

A Real Friend

I’ve never been crazy about statistics. Primarily because they can be used to lead others to a premeditated conclusion set by someone anxious to make a point. They have their place but should always be used with caution and honesty.

It has been reported that 90% of men do not have real friends.  I’m not sure how the research was conducted but based on my own day to day observations, I’m inclined to believe that there is a great measure of truth in that research.

It is critical to establish the definition of a “real friend” as it can mean different things to different people depending on their perspective. As with all things, the Word of God provides invaluable insight regarding all matters and the Bible has much to say about friendship. While we could look at several references, let’s consider Proverbs 17:17:

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.  

Immediately we’re thrust into a necessary reality when it comes to friendship. According to this verse, friendship carries a real affectionate tone similar to what husband and wife might experience sensually. For the record, the Bible is in no way advocating homosexuality here. That is sin and God has been unabashedly clear regarding that (Lev. 18:22, 20:13; Romans 1:26-27; Jude 1:7). The message here is that real friendship runs deep. It engages the head and the heart. This type of friendship propels us far beyond the shallow demonstrations that we’ve become so accustomed to.

Another observation we see is that friendship carries a rich unconditional undertone. The Scripture says a friend loveth at ALL times. In other words, a real friend is not someone who comes and goes and usually comes when things are good. One of the most painful realities to encounter is to realize that the real friendship you thought you had was not real at all. This always happens when the season changes for the worst and like the wind, they blow away. Job could tell you all about that one. A real friend is one who without hesitation, will climb into the foxhole of life with you regardless of the hardship involved. This is what is meant by a brother is born for adversity. It is in times of adversity that men become real friends. Men who have faced death together in war walk away from that experience with a bond that cannot be broken. This is true in other forms of adversity as well. I can say with confidence that the common denominator in every real friend I have has been seasons of war and adversity together. We’ve fought together and have demonstrated an unconditional commitment to friendship. For me, it is unlikely that one could be considered a real friend until we’ve bled together so to speak.

In closing, one of the greatest examples of real friendship preserved in the Scriptures is the relationship between David and Jonathan. When receiving the news that Jonathan had been killed in battle, observe the sobering words of David:

2 Samuel 1:26 I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.

Again, there is nothing dark or sinful about this expression. These were two men who had gone to war together and their souls were knit. Their relationship was not cheap and shallow. They were real friends.

Men, who is your Jonathan? Who is your David? To properly answer those questions I believe you have to ask yourself, “Am I a Jonathan” or, “Am I a David?”

Where you find a David, you find a Jonathan. So, if there is no David or Jonathan in your life, it is probably because you’re not becoming a David or a Jonathan and this is cause for concern.