Before I write any more about End Times stuff, I have to write a post on what it means to truly be a Christian. Why? Well, for some reason, the Holy Spirit has shown me these past few weeks that there are many people out there who call themselves Christians -- but by Biblical scripture and the words of Jesus, they truly aren't. Maybe they're Christians in the very vague sense of the word. Like, for example, I walk around saying that I am a healthy person. I perceive myself to be a healthy person. But am I really? Am I at my ideal weight? No. Do I exercise daily? No. Do I get all of my servings of fruits and vegetables every day? No. Do I take a multi-vitamin every single day? Nope. Do I drink all the water I'm supposed to every day? No way. Have I been to the doctor this year for reasons other than wellness check-ups? Yep.

So one might scratch their head and say, "Well, then... what in the world makes you think that you're healthy?"

After thinking for a minute, do you know what my answer might be? "Well... I read a lot about health topics, and know quite a bit. I would say that I'm definitely healthier than many people I know. It's the little things I do, like choosing organic produce and avoiding toxins." But even as I say that, I wouldn't be totally convinced of that. So then I'd say, "Well, I grew up in a household that lived on the Mediterranean diet. I'm Middle Eastern, and my whole childhood foundation was one of health." And just for added insurance, I would tack on a line that said, "I go get my check-up every year, and every year my doctor tells me that I'm perfectly healthy."

So let's say then that there is going to be a major world-wide event with fantastic giveaways and prizes being held in a beautiful place in the Caribbean. Only those who are considered to be truly healthy would be able to go -- and their trip would be free. The judges would assess your life over a period of time, and then determine who could attend. There is no limit to the number of people that can go, but you have to fit the very narrow description of a "health-nut" and be one who lives their whole life with the sole focus of achieving health in order to qualify. Would I be chosen? I can tell you right now that I would not. Despite my own perceptions of who/what I think I am, when the truth comes down to it, I am not all that healthy of a person. I'm living and I'm doing just fine -- but I would not qualify based on the distinct guidelines that defines a really healthy person.

That analogy exactly describes Christians. There are a lot of people out there who claim to be Christian. And perhaps by their own (or their church's) definition, they are. Maybe they grew up as a Christian from the time they were a small child. Maybe they were baptized and confirmed. Perhaps they pray. It's possible that they read their Bible now and then. I imagine that they even attend church on a regular basis. In their own minds, they consider themselves to be a Christian. But here's the kicker... would Christ consider them to be a Christian?

I'm guessing not. Because He is our judge. And his definition of a Christian is quite different than what many here on earth define as a Christian.

Why?

Because being a Christian not just about believing in Christ, being baptized, going to church, and taking communion.

Christ said, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7:13-14)

Jesus did not say, "All who believe in me will go through the gate that leads to life." He said that "But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Only a few find it.

Here's another way of looking at it: Let's pretend there is a sentence that says, "All those who have good, honest, open, true marriages filled with unconditional love can enter through the gates and be with God and Jesus in Heaven." Now, right now, imagine asking all the people of the U.S. if they have a good marriage. Many, many couples will say "yes." Picture all of the crowds containing millions of people who think they have a marriage that fits this description trying to get through the gates to Heaven. But wait... there at the gates is a judge who can see into everyone's lives, and who knows REALLY which couple has had a marriage that is good, honest, open, true and unconditionally loving.

Many, many of those couples probably will go into that line really thinking that they have that kind of marriage. But then questions will be asked of them that reveal the truth: "Did you tell your spouse that you loved them several times a day?" "Did you ever lie to or hurt your spouse without asking for forgiveness?" "Have you ever said bad things about your spouse?" "Have you ever pretended that you weren't married just to get attention?" "Have you frequently manipulated situations and said things in order to get your way, even though you knew your mate wanted something different?"

And together the couple will sit with the judge and come to the very revealing realization that they did not even come close to fitting that picture. Some people might have gone forward into that line, knowing that they weren't really the kind of person they were claiming to be. Others might have truly thought they were exactly that kind of person, and had their eyes opened to the truth as they watched their lives from an objective point of view.

Tearing myself away from the analogy now, I want to stress that it will be exactly like this with Christ. Some might really think that they are true Christians, but compared to what it REALLY means to be a Christian, they will fall short. Others might think they are putting on a good show for others, but inside their heart they know that they are a fake.

Just like those questions might be asked to determine if one is in a true, loving, honest, open relationship, here are twenty questions to help you determine whether or not you are a true Christian. For every "no" that you answer to these questions, you take a big step away from that gate. If you answer "yes" to each one of these questions, then many blessings to you, my friend! You will surely enter through the narrow gates and enjoy the Kingdom of God with Jesus.

Good luck with the test!

1) Do you love God and Christ more than your child/children?

2) Do you love God and Christ more than your spouse or parents or siblings?

3) Would you walk away from your child/children for the rest of your life, for Jesus?

4) Would you walk away from your spouse or parents or siblings for the rest of your life, for Jesus?

5) Do you understand that baptism has nothing to do with your salvation?

6) Do you understand that other rituals, like confirmation, communion, confession, etc. have nothing to do with your salvation?

7) Do you also understand that your works here on earth -- no matter what they are -- have nothing to do with your salvation?

8) Do you believe that you are a sinner, and that Christ died on the cross to take punishment for your sins?

9) Do you read the Bible regularly, and study it thoroughly to better understand the Word of God?

10) Do you pray every day, often more than once a day, having conversations with God/Christ?

11) Are you proud to be a Christian, making sure that everyone knows it?

12) Do you talk to others about Christ and salvation?

13) Do you use Scripture and prayer to fight against times when you are being tempted or facing trials?

14) Can you honestly say that there was never a time in your life when you felt embarrassed or ashamed to be a Christian?

15) Do you attend church regularly?

16) Do you tithe 10% of your wages to the church (whether weekly, monthly or yearly)?

17) Have you verbally said the sinner's prayer, asking Jesus to come into your life and for the Holy Spirit to fill your heart, while also asking forgiveness for your sins?

18) Are you aware of your every sin, and do you work diligently and with discipline to control those sins?

19) Have you changed your persona, making sure to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth, representing Christ and reflecting his love and grace onto others? Have you humbled yourself, trusting fully in the Lord, and recognizing that the material, earthly things do not matter in this life?

20) Do you worship the Lord with song and praise on a regular basis, and enjoy fellowship with other Christians?

If you've answered "yes" to all of those questions, then you are one of the few that will enter through the narrow gate.

If you answered "no" to any of these, then you have work to do. Just taking vitamins occasionally and buying some organic produce here and there does not make me healthy. To be truly healthy,
one must do several things and do them consistently. It takes discipline, work, understanding, knowledge and wisdom.

Just saying "I love you" and buying little gifts here and there does not make for a great marriage. Even adding in good communication and love doesn't make for a great marriage. There has to be so many things: trust, unselfishness, compromise, good sex, unconditional love, communication, affection, respect, mental stimulation, compatibility, common interests... etc, etc, etc. People can have a GOOD marriage or a decent marriage without all of these components. But does that make it a marriage great? No. Not by any means. Does having only a few characteristics make it a complete marriage? Nope.

Just doing a few of those things above does not make you a true, disciplined, devoted Christian. You must do them all. You CAN do them all - you just have to make the decision to do it. It's so important, because this is eternity we're talking about here. Why not take that extra step, and go the extra mile for Christ? What's the point of doing it half-way? It's basically the same as not doing it at all. The LORD does not want lukewarm disciples. He does not want those who do not live in His word day after day. He does not want those who aren't shining His light and living out the example of Jesus day after day.

Bottom line is this: If He's choosing the group to live and be with him in Heaven (and the New Earth) for ever and ever, then He wants to know -- without a shadow of a doubt -- that you give Him your life. He gives you the choice... leave all of the old, and walk with Him.

"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.

"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn
" 'a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law -
a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'

"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

"He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. (Matthew 10:32-41)

Jesus said, "For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:20)

And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 8:3)

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me." (Matthew 5:10-11)

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21)

What kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. (Peter 3:11-13)

Questions? Comments? Debates? I'd love to discuss. Let me please state a disclaimer, though. The above questions do not apply if you aren't absolutely capable. For example, if you are in jail and become saved, you obviously cannot tithe because you don't earn an income. Or if you are truly homebound due to an injury or illness, then The LORD understands and extends mercy -- He knows that it's not possible for you to go. On the other hand... excuses like "I work too much" or "I don't have enough money to give" or "I don't have time to read to read the Bible" are not valid. He can see into your heart, and He knows.

He knows.