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.
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