What’s a Christian?
Mrs. Billy Graham was once asked, “are you a Christian?” The challenge came up while she was touring the middle east where Judaism, Islam and Christianity are awash in historic conflict and confusion. “Yes, I believe that Christ rose from the dead” was her response.
This profession of faith in Christ’s Resurrection has always been the unique defining feature of “Christianity” throughout history. In other words, believing that Christ rose from the dead is what it means to be a Christian.
It is at the watershed of the Resurrection that Christianity divides from all religions and all issues of life and eternity.
The Watershed of Eternity
A watershed is the point from which things flow either to one side or the other. The Continental Divide, for example, is where waters flow to one ocean or the other. The peak on a rooftop illustrates the same thing with rain water.
Eternity has a watershed. It was dramatically demonstrated as Christ hung on the Cross between two thieves. Each thief represented a polar-opposite of eternal destiny. One thief inherited paradise, the other didn’t. What was the difference? A simple faith. “Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” Believing in Christ’s Resurrection is the watershed of eternity.
Eternity’s watershed is indiscriminate. Two thieves, or two murderers, or even two good churchgoers would have illustrated the point just as well. Because the point is, that’s not the point. “Whosoever will,” may believe in Christ’s Resurrection. All are entitled to eternal life through this simple faith. Everyone else, no matter who they are, or what they’ve done, or what they believe, falls to the opposite side of eternal life.
A blissful surprise of eleventh-hour salvations and “battlefield conversions” awaits us when we enter Heaven and survey it’s citizenry of Grace. Any breath acknowledging Christ’s Resurrection works, even if it’s the last one. So say the two thieves.
A Matter of Fact
The thief partook no sacrament, indulged no ritual, or baptism. He recited no creed or formula of prayer. He didn’t even pray the “sinners prayer.” He kept no tradition, or religious observance. He acknowledged no church, no heritage, no lineage, no record of service,excellence of life or any one of a thousand other religious practices. Yet he now and forever enjoys permanent residence in the Kingdom of God.
This is because the Resurrection of Christ is not religion, it’s an historic event. It is a matter of fact, either believed or disbelieved. The only practice involved is faith, and that flows to the side of the watershed that’s opposite religious piety.
The thief would give the same answer as Mrs. Graham if he was confronted with her question. It’s the only fact that matters. It’s all he knew. It’s all he needed to know.
But What About Sin?
The privilege of Paradise was granted to a thief, and we say, “that’s not right!” The answer is in the Blood dripping from the body of the man hanging next to him. That Blood was sinless, unlike his own. Shed for him, he would be justified forever, just as if he never sinned. All he had to do was believe in.the life that was in that blood. A unique life like no other testified to by His resurrection from the dead.
The Resurrection is what validates The Blood. It alone proves Christ to be The Son of God and His Blood, therefore, to be divine. The Blood of Christ is always the answer for sin. It alone makes salvation possible. To believe in His Resurrection is to believe in His sacred Blood. But, “without the Resurrection, our faith is vain.” So said the Apostle Paul.
Uncompromisingly Clear
The divergence of the two eternal paths and what determines their separation is here magnified to unmistakable clarity. Watering it down with murky theology, as a mere “metaphor” or “inspiration within the heart,” falls to the wrong side of eternity. Clearly, the thief believed the Lord’s Resurrection to be literal, physical and bodily. We can ask him what he thinks of the theological dilutions when we see him. The other thief would have something to say about those too.
Until then, a tangible joy speaks to the heart of every true believer like no other comfort on earth. The Hope of The Resurrection is what sustained the martyrs as they suffered and died. It confirms the certainty of our joining Him that has gone ahead of us into Paradise.
Accommodations for unbelief only furnish false comforts. “if Christ is not risen, we are of all men most miserable”, so said Paul.
Witnesses of Life
Peripheral issues such as doctrine, church attendance, morality etc. often preoccupy our witness. Sooner or later though, I will always ask, “do you believe Christ rose from the dead?” The Holy Spirit always shows up for that conversation.
We are foremost anointed to “testify” that Christ is alive! For the world, this is the only hope, for it’s the only answer for death. For the Devil, it is the triumph over his “best shot.” He hates the subject.
Harvesting faith in Christ’s Resurrection is the primary objective of evangelistic outreach. We should refer to it primarily and often. Because for every person we ever see or meet, and for every nation, including our own, the watershed of their destiny is, “if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved”. So Says God!