Make Me a Christian

What happens when you take 13 non-Christians and get them to live by the Bible’s instruction for 3 weeks? The UK reality TV series Make Me a Christian attempted to answer that question last year.

The contestants included an atheist biker and a lesbian schoolteacher. They were mentored by four clergy—an Anglican, a Catholic, an Evangelical, and a Pentecostal. Though this is a bizarre idea for presenting Jesus to unbelievers, some of the contestants stated that they were going to “pursue Christianity further.” The apostle Paul had some hard words for the Galatians when they were trying to “make themselves Christians” by works (Galatians 3). He asked four clarifying questions:

1. Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? (3:2). The answer was no—for the indwelling of the Spirit had come by belief, by faith.

2. Why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? (v.3). The Galatians were foolishly following the instruction of the Judaizers who were telling them that they could move toward spiritual maturity by works and externals, not by grace and the inner working of the Holy Spirit.

3. Have you experienced so much for nothing? (v.4). Paul’s people had been persecuted for their grace-based faith. If they had returned to following Mosaic Law— denying grace—then they would have suffered for nothing.

4. Does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? (v.5). His answer, “Of course not!” The miracles were not of the Law, but were all about the hearing that leads to faith.

You and I can lose sight of the basis of our own salvation at times—thinking that it’s based on doing the right things. The reality? Our faith flows from God’s amazing grace. Only God can make a Christian

Break In to God's heart

Today we are going to break in by dwelling or meditating on the word of God.  Read the passage and then sit and think what each of the fruits of the spirit look like (or should look like) in your life.  Think about what it would look like in different situations to respond in one of the fruits rather than by the flesh, example: being faithful with something your parents asked you to do rather than purposely not doing it, lying about it, or waiting to do it when you are ready.  

 Galations 5: 22-26

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,²³gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. ²⁵Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Many times in the bible they equate reading the scriptures as "Eating the Scroll."  Imagine if we read the bible and processed it like we eat a meal.  Reading it and processing it over and over so we dont just vomit out information but we digest it and it becomes a part of fueling and renewing our bodies.  By "eating the scroll" imagine how nourished and strengthened your spirit man would be as you walk with God every day.

The Lord's Prayer

Matthew 6:9-13

9"This, then, is how you should pray:

  " 'Our Father in heaven,

  hallowed be your name,

10your kingdom come,

  your will be done

     on earth as it is in heaven.

11Give us today our daily bread.

12Forgive us our debts,

     as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13And lead us not into temptation,

  but deliver us from the evil one.

*for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Here is a boost to your day! Remember to pray it with your whole heart!