Engaging With Others - Part 1

It is fun to meet Christians everywhere we go. Recently I met someone and when he told me he was Christian, I responded that I was also.  He said that not all who say they are Christian really are. Later, I thought about his statement and thought over our conversation, I asked myself the question whether I really knew what a 'true' Christian was.

I have always thought of myself as a true Christian, because I love God and believe that Jesus was the Christ and God resurrected him from death (Romans 10:9-10). Are there other defining characteristics of a 'true' believer?

Most times when I meet another Christian the conversation goes to a deeper level very quickly. It is so nice to meet someone who believes in God. We can share thankfulness with each other for all God has done. Occasionally I meet someone who, once he/she finds out I am Christian, he/she will start asking me questions about specific things I believe. I find that there usually is a lot in common to talk about, but at the same time, there are usually things we might disagree about. It is not surprising since there are more than 24,000 different types of denominational and non-denominational Christians.

As I was thinking of all the Christians I have recently met,  Romans 14, I Corinthians 1:10ff and Philippians1 popped in my head. Roman 14 warns against judging the new believer who may as yet  not have tossed out certain old traditions and beliefs. We have to remember we all have unlearned areas in biblical knowledge and understanding. Humbly growing and learning the things about God take a lifetime at the very least. Here are some verses from Romans 14:

4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. 19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

What makes for peace? God and his word is the ultimate source of peace. We can learn from each other yet each one of us has the responsibility to process what we learn:

Let every man be fully persuaded (plerophoreo - fully convinced)in his own (idios -one's own) mind. Romans 14:5b

We may disagree but we shouldn't cause problems with each other, nor should we get offended.  We should give people the truth as we know it; then give them space to think about it and make their own decision. We don't stand in the approval of others. Our approval is rooted in God with righteousness, peace and joy as our parameters. Our job is to edify (build-up not tear down) others if we can.

I was so blessed meeting a new friend the other day. I enjoyed listening to his story and how he came to Christ and I enjoyed looking at his craftsmanship in his work.  He was a excellent woodworker. I may not see him again soon, but as one of my blogger friends put it, there will always be eternity!