Who is INSIDE the body of Christ and who is OUTSIDE? What does it mean to be a "real" Christian?
These things have been on my mind for the past several days, ever since a friend shared with me how hurt she was when someone referred to her as "just a Catholic" while considering herself a "real Christian" because she was from a "Spirit filled" church. Seeing the pain that this comment generated, I decided to do a bit of searching on what the Bible says about who is "IN" and who is "OUT" of the body of Christ.
This searching was then enhanced when Efrem Smith spoke recently about how the body of Christ can sometimes be the last place where love is found. What does it mean to love as Jesus taught? What does it mean to look at the log in our own eye instead of the speck in another's eye? What does God really want for the Body of Christ? Who is IN and who is OUT according to the bible?
To put these questions into perspective it is useful to consider a three-circle diagram: 1. The inner most circle is the dogma. 2. The larger circle represents the doctrine. 3. The largest, outermost circle represents opinions, values, worldviews...
DOGMA -- The most fundamental component that allows us to belong to the body of Christ is Faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. Within the inner most circle is the foundation of Christianity -- the DNA of the body of Christ. The Bible is pretty clear in stating that anyone who accepts and acknowledges Jesus Christ as Lord is welcomed and has the DNA of Christ put into them regardless to what part of the body they belong. The dogma in essence defines who is on the INSIDE.
John 3:18 "Whoever believes in the Son is not judged; but whoever does not believe has already been judged, because he has not believed in God's only Son."
Matthew 10:32,33 Jesus said, 'If anyone declares publicly that he belongs to me, I will do the same for him. But if anyone rejects me publicly, I will reject before my Father in heaven.'
Luke 23:42,43 "And the thief said to Jesus 'Remember me, Jesus, when you come as King!' Jesus said to him, 'I promise you that today you will be in Paradise with me."
IT'S THAT SIMPLE! Believe in Jesus Christ and be saved.
DOCTRINE -- Within the second layer of the three circles discrepancies begin to play out within the church, often the culprit for division. Out of the varying interpretations of the Bible, wars have been fought in the name of God. Instead of looking like a loving Body of Christ, a light to the lost world, the church can end up looking more like a people who judge and sometimes even hate.
1 Corinthians 12 "12) Christ is like a single body, which has many parts through it is made up of different parts... 19) There would not be a body if it were all only one part! ... 25) And so all the different parts of the body have the same concern for one another... 27) All of you are Christ's body, and each one is a part of it."
1 Corinthians 10:17 "Because there is the one loaf of bread, all of us, though many, are one body, for we all share the same loaf."Luke 6:37 "Do not judge others, and God will not judge you; do not condemn others, and God will not condemn you; forgive others and god will forgive you."
OPINION -- The outer layer is where discrepancies occur, hence the judging continues, leaving the body bleeding from the resulting division and hurt. Varying political views can create a hot button for quite a bit of judging on who is IN and who is OUT. Many find it comforting to personally define who is IN and who is OUT by whether or not he or she follows our convictions and beliefs. Yet it is beautiful, and I don't believe a mere coincidence, that Jesus had followers who came from all walks of life and social standings.
Galatians 3:28 "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
And so, after studying God's Word's of TRUTH, I can confidently reply to my friend that she indeed is a "real" Christian and INSIDE the Body of Christ despite what church she attends (or doesn't) if she acknowledges and accepts Jesus Christ as Lord.
"We are one in the Spirit; we are one in the Lord. We are one in the Spirit; we are one in the Lord. And we pray that His unity will one day be restored. And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love. Yes they'll know we are Christians by our love."
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