Perhaps the title of this article should more accurately be, “What is a Christian to be?” It’s easy to see that in American culture, the definition of a Christian is very broad. As I read the historical accounts in the Bible of life transformation of people as they became followers of Jesus Christ, I realize that many professing Christians today do not display the same transformation. In fact, an honest appraisal of the membership of my church leads to the same conclusion—in some there is no evidence of difference from those who do not profess Christ as Lord. Most disturbing of all, the question of my life transformation often falls short of the Biblical descriptions.
Dr. John Johnson writes about this in “Where are the Radically Changed Lives?”.
It’s rare to see dramatic change. We tend to see lives that reflect a superficial change of mind, lives that have not been seriously altered, lives that do not evidence miraculous change. Marriages look little different than those of the world; pornography and its addictive behavior tends to be as problematic in the church as outside the church; gracelessness can be as pervasive in a Christian culture as outside. Something is wrong. In my darker moments, I wonder if coming to Christ truly makes a significant difference.
Johnson notes that George Barna’s research led him to conclude (reported in the book “Revolution”) that churches are not intentional in either becoming or measuring spiritual transformation. Dr. Johnson concludes with the advice,
Find what it is that more than inspires—find what transforms people, what transforms all of their being, and give your best ministry to that.
Interestingly, Dan Kimball at Vintage Faith Church makes transformation a central part of their vision/mission and is currently doing a sermon series focused on this very subject. He describes it in “‘Don’t be a “Christian’: Exchanging Religion for the Mission of God.” I like the sermon topics he has chosen.
Worshiping: Don’t be a consumer – Be a worshiper
Community: Don’t go to church – Be the church
Missional: Don’t exist in the bubble – Be in the world
Theologians: Don’t close your mind – Be a theologian
Communion Sunday – “Asking God to transform us”
Dr. Johnson suggests we fall short of demonstrating a truly transformed life because we accept beliefs that are theologically anemic; we don’t apply the vigilance, self discipline, rigorous thought, and repentance necessary for transformation; we refuse to pay the price. He concludes,
But here’s what we are missing. We have failed to realize that the grace that pardons is the same grace that is able to transform. This is grace we are not taking advantage of.
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