Becoming a Christian is easy. You know - say the sinner's prayer and voila, you're a Christian. Or so we're often told. But, saying "I'm a Christian", or being told, "You're a Christian" - does that really make someone a "real" Christian? No, it doesn't. Being a real Christian isn't easy. Especially not that easy. It takes a lot more than just some words. Many who start off on the path to becoming believers end up leaving that path. At one point, Jesus even asked His closest followers, You do not want to leave too, do you?
Check out the passage below. Five thousand men, plus women and children, crossed a lake by boat to hear Jesus speak. He had just done the miracle of feeding the 5,000 the day before. People wanted to hear and see more from Him. And then this happened:
Jesus the Bread of Life
Jn 6:25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”
Jn 6:26 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
Let's take what happened in this exchange all the way back to 2 Chronicles, in the Old Testament. The scene is this:
Summary
Discusses the difficulty of being a “real” Christian, emphasizing that it requires more than just saying the sinner’s prayer; it involves a deep belief and commitment from the heart.
Jesus’ Teachings: Recounts Jesus’ teachings about seeking spiritual sustenance over material fulfillment, and the importance of genuine belief, as illustrated in John 6:25-29 and Mark 9:14-29.
Solomon’s Prayer: Connects Jesus’ message to Solomon’s prayer in 2 Chronicles 6:12-42, highlighting the theme of God knowing the hearts of men and the need for true repentance and faith.
Discipleship: Reflects on the nature of discipleship, the challenges of accepting difficult teachings, and the significance of staying committed to Jesus’ path despite these challenges.
In conclusion, the journey of being a true Christian is depicted as challenging and requires more than mere words; it demands genuine belief and commitment from the heart. The article emphasizes that both Jesus and the Old Testament teachings call for a deep, personal faith that goes beyond superficial declarations, highlighting the importance of understanding and internalizing the spiritual truths presented. Ultimately, the path to authentic Christianity is portrayed as one that may be difficult to follow, but it is also shown to be profoundly rewarding for those who persevere and truly embrace the teachings of Jesus. This reflection on the essence of Christian faith serves as a reminder that the pursuit of spiritual growth and understanding is a continuous, transformative process.
Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication
6:12-40 pp — 1Ki 8:22-53
6:41-42 pp — Ps 132:8-10
2Ch 6:12 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel and spread out his hands. 13 Now he had made a bronze platform, five cubits long, five cubits wide and three cubits high, and had placed it in the center of the outer court. He stood on the platform and then knelt down before the whole assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven. 14 He said:
“O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven or on earth—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way. 15 You have kept your promise to your servant David my father; with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled it—as it is today.
So Solomon is praying before the assembly of Israel, just after the Ark of the Covenant ha been brought to the new Temple in Jerusalem. It's the prayer before the dedication of the temple. That prayer continues with this passage:
2Ch 6:28 “When famine or plague comes to the land, or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers, or when enemies besiege them in any of their cities, whatever disaster or disease may come, 29 and when a prayer or plea is made by any of your people Israel—each one aware of his afflictions and pains, and spreading out his hands toward this temple— 30 then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive, and deal with each man according to all he does, since you know his heart (for you alone know the hearts of men), 31 so that they will fear you and walk in your ways all the time they live in the land you gave our fathers."
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