Ever been put down by a Christian? Hope taken away? Been insulted, lied to, or hurt by a Christian?

You may have met a new Christian, a "babe in Christ" who did not know any better and is just learning to follow the Word. Maybe you met a matured Christian who has fallen away from God's word and onto their fleshly way of thinking or just made a mistake. Or maybe you only met someone who called themselves a Christian but was not one. Regardless of the above 'excuses', a Christian that has asked Christ into their lives and is fully committed to Him and following His word is like a lighthouse on a dark and stormy night. You can spot them, no question. There is just something different about them.

A false Christian just does not exist. You are either a Christian, or you are not. There is no in-between. You have to make a choice to ask God into your heart to become a Christian. So if you have run into someone that has hurt your feelings, caused you to not want anything to do with Christianity, told you things that deflated your hope, there is good news for you. You were not told the truth. You were not treated with love. You were not given the hope which is always available in Christ Jesus who loves you and died for your sins. You have not been given a clear opportunity to see what a Christian or Christianity really is. You were not given a fair shake.

The bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. When you ask Christ into your heart and believe on Him, you are instantly washed from your prior sins and you begin a new life in Christ Jesus. For some this receiving is an instant miraculous change in their life. Addictions, temptations, lifestyles, all are instantly transformed and in place filled with peace, understanding, a passion for God and to spread His word. There is an obvious change in the persons life, no questions asked.

For others, the change is more like a gradual transformation. A gradual purging away of sins and behaviors. This is how it was for me. I loved God but I did not know of His will enough to begin a change until I began to study His word faithfully; then the transformation took place. It began inwardly before it showed outwardly. For me it was a slow progressive transformation. I'm sure I could have been someone who hurt persons feelings when I started out. Who criticized, judged, look down upon others. But since that time I have been filled with the truth. Occasionally I stumble, we all do. But I will also be quick to seek forgiveness from God and to mend that which was broken by my actions. This knowledge of Christ and obedience is sometimes referred to as becoming a "matured Christian".

So la-ti-da, does this make a matured Christian above others?? NO!! God is no respector of persons. What it does is equip the believer with the full armor of God. It not only works as a guard and protection on my life, but it also can be used to protect others and to warn them of things which can hurt them or their lives. Let's look at the armour of Christ quickly!
Ephesians 6:11-18 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

The armour of God gives us preparedness to face the day and whatever is in store. Through Him we become prepared, ready, and on alert; able to discern truth, stand firmly in His word, and defeat the devil. I wouldn't want to go anywhere with out it! But sometimes maybe we put on the armor but forget to take our "shield of faith" and we get doubt and then place doubt in someone elses mind. Or maybe we forget the sword of the Spirit and we try to fight back on our own and show our lack and cause someone to loose hope. Maybe this has happened to you? Or maybe your experiences were the result of someone not being fully ready with the armour of God.

Just as a baby moves from being in one place, to getting on all fours, crawling, stumbling, and then walking, so it is also true with a new Christian. It does not mean this is an excuse that makes "bad choies or actions" OK. It does not mean they will not be held accountable for their actions. What it means is that maybe the person you met was not walking fully in the Word and you saw them before they knew how to "crawl" or were stumbling around and still learning of God's will and how it applies to their lives. If you don't face the day prepared with the armour, you are surely going to fall short.
Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Even though we may have good intentions, we may win a minor battle without Christ's protection over us but we will NEVER win the war! Christ is already the champion and will claim victory over satan and all evil. He has already defeated death and sin for us. Trying to do things without Him will just bring us a false sense of security but it will all come out in the wash.
Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Whether a person is Christian or non-Christian, the bible says we are ALL sinners who fall short of the Glory of God. A Christian has forgiveness, help and strength through Christ, Hope, and an eternal life with Christ available to them, but a non-Christian has judgement and an eternal life in hell without Christ. That is not my opinion - it is a fact based on God's word. What are you choosing for your life? I hope you are choosing a life eternal with Christ...if not, you can change that decision. I hope that if you have had a bad experience in a church, or with others, that you don't base Christianity or God on that experience. I know it hurts and really takes away your trust. But know that it is not of God and not what God wants for you. Brush yourself off and determine to find that bible believing church. Experience God for yourself. Read His word, learn of His will for your life. Friend you don't know what you are missing out on if you have not given God control.

The bible also says in Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. and in Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Unfortunately there are also those that claim to be Christian, but are not in any way, shape, or form. We are warned of these. There are even some churches and leaders who are not what they proclaim to be. It is important to know how to tell the difference so you are not tricked or led astray.

See a fake can knock you off what would be the greatest choice of your life - that in giving your life to Christ. A fake can give you a false idea of what a Christian is and what they stand for. A fake can fill you with hate, anger, and turning your back on Christ. Perhaps this has happened to you?

You haven't met a false Christian - there is no such thing. You have either met a person who is proclaiming to be Christian but is not, or you have met someone who has acted on their own and not according to what God would have them to do. Don't let that stand in your way of the Kingdom. God has given us an instruction book for life. Use it. Use it as a ruler and measure how things meet to the standards of God and not man. Test what you hear against the scriptures. Apply the Word to your life. Hide it in your heart. Just like knowing Christ you either believe all of the bible, or none of it. There is no inbetween. If you believe in it, follow it and trust it. It was inspired by the Holy Spirit and meant for good of your life. Don't believe me? Good. Try it for yourself. You have nothing to loose except your past.

I would like to hear from you - please e-mail to Tammi. I'll answer whatever questions you have through scripture and based on my personal experiences with Jesus Christ and what a difference He can make in a life!