S.M.A.R.T
The word "Smart" is often used to qualify anyone or anything which is good. A Webster dictionary would define the word "Smart" as being "Quick of thought and clever". No wonder a cell phone which doubles up "smartly" as a mini-computer for all practical purposes (rage of the town really) is branded as a smart phone (elite segment within the market of the cell phones). For some folks it so cool just to be seen hanging around with it glued to their ears. We also associate the word smart to describe a person who has done well in business and call that individual as a smart businessman or woman. No prizes for guessing the other name of an efficient software professional... a Smart Techie. That brings us to the topic... what constitutes a "SMART CHRISTIAN"???
Using the acronym S.MA.R.T, let's look at this subject more objectively...
S- SAVED
An unsaved Christian is an oxymoron really, for those who belong to Christ (Christians) are indwelt by His Spirit (Romans 8:9) and Christ's Spirit (read Holy Spirit) comes to indwell an individual, only when he or she poor in spirit realizing the extent of his/her spiritual poverty asks the Saviour to forgive his/her sins and give him/her a new start in life.
Who is a sinner? The Bible states unequivocally that "ALL" are sinners (Romans 3:23) by birth having inherited the fallen Adamic nature and all need the cleansing, atoning blood of Christ to get a right standing with God (Romans 5:1-2). So are even the unsaved Kings, Queens, Presidents and Prime-ministers, sinners in the eyes of Holy God. YES!!!
To use the cyber lingo, our life as a hastily typed matter resembles poorly aligned sentences and paragraphs - spiritually speaking that is- and hence needs to be blocked and "JUSTIFIED" by Christ's blood to get the spiritual alignments' right. Consider this Scripture which also has been referred above... ...
Therefore, since we have been JUSTIFIED through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.- Romans 5:1-2
Make no mistake on the Day of Judgment, a sinner would be condemned not so much for sinning as for not accepting the God-ordained Saviour of this World-Jesus- as his/her personal Saviour (John 3:36). Say Dear reader, do you remember vividly the date of your spiritual birthday (John 1:12), otherwise have one immediately by accepting Christ as your personal Saviour.
M-MATURING
For Christians at Salvation, not only is it the starting point for a journey towards the Promised Land (read Heaven), it is also the beginning of a voyage into a deeper and deeper, fulfilling relationship with the Almighty. A saved Christian main goal is to be transformed into Christ-like image (2 Cor 3:18) meaning have a relationship with the Heavenly Father as Christ Himself would have. Period. This is achieved by him/her by duly co-operating with the indwelling Holy Spirit in the matters of Prayer, Bible-reading and constant Church fellowship.
The Early Church is a benchmark for any Church of any age for remarkable growth borne out by Earth-shaking outward actions just as King David was a benchmark (I Kings 14:8, I Kings 15:3, I Kings 15:11,2 I Kings 14:3 ) in the matter of implicit obedience to God for the Kings who followed him. What was "SPECIAL" about the early Church that its very enemies paid it (unwittingly, of course) the highest compliment of having turned the World upside down (Acts 17:6)? Talk of a Democrat complimenting a Republican. Go no further than Acts 2:42 which reads thus:
"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
Billy Graham that great and uncompromising preacher once in a Revival meeting held at Los Angeles, shared a passionate message on the Early Church, outlining what needs to be done for the Churches of modern era to become more effective. While many were moved by it, some "cannibal" Christians (an oxymoron again, however refer Gal 5:15) criticized him of taking Christianity back by 100 years to which he is said to have replied with wisdom borne out of long, enduring relationship with Christ "I did indeed want to set religion back, not just by 100 years but 1,900 years, to the Book of Acts when first century followers of Christ were accused of turning the Roman Empire upside down."
Yes, besides exercising discipline in the matters of prayer, Bible-reading and Church fellowship, one needs to stand up patiently when severe trials and tribulations come visiting (I Peter 1:6-7). They are permitted by God in His Sovereign wisdom to build-up Christ-like patience and perseverance (James 1:2-4) in us. Honestly, why is our Heavenly Father so keen (even desperate?) on us becoming Christ-like? Is it to merely fill Heaven with beautiful, radiant people (Song of Solomon 5:10) like Christ. NAY!!! The only reason to make us Christ-like is to have people in Heaven who would "LOVE HIM AS HIS SON HAS DONE THROUGHOUT ETERNITY". Remember, we are going to spend Eternity with our Creator... HALLELUJAH!!!
A-ALERT
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit0 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."- Matt 28:18-20
One Biblical Scholar observed "Christ's last commission ought to be our first priority." Our bold acts of witnessing for Christ laced with love and concern for the unregenerate ones' are all part of the Almighty's grand design to mould us into the image of His Son. Was anyone in the pages of History more bold than Christ when it comes to standing up for the TRUTH ( Matt 27: 63-66) even as He kept extending loving invitation for the sinners to come out of their World of darkness (John 8:12) ? Did He not always hate intensely sin even while loving the sinner with the same intensity? (John 8:9-11). No wonder Apostle Paul exhorts "Make the most of your chances to tell others the Good News. Be wise in all your contacts with them" (Col 4:5 TLB). We ought to be alert AT ALL TIMES for the opportunities that come our way to share the Good News. While ALL Christians cannot preach long sermons what each Christian can certainly do is to share lovingly and graciously (I Peter 3:15) with his acquaintances' what Christ has done in his/her life and back it up with a God-honoring lifestyle. I reiterate more than being preachers, Jesus wants ALL of us to be witnesses (Acts 1:8) to the life-transforming power He has displayed in our lives besides filling our hearts with His indescribable Heavenly joy (I Peter 1:8). The desire that an unsaved person should also delight in the joys of the Almighty's presence (like we are doing) in this World and the World to come should be one of the main driving forces' behind a Christian sharing his/her witness to an unregenerate soul. Needless to say, the other reason being none of our acquaintances' should land up in indescribably horrific hell.
Say Christian, have you shared what Christ has done in your life with all you meet often (your unsaved family members, office colleagues, business partners, co-students etc) and with those you may meet only once in your life-time (a fellow-passenger in a train or bus, whenever you went on a long journey) or patients/people waiting beside you in a hospital waiting room/office reception etc after you have developed a rapport with them (1 Cor 9:19-23) or for that matter have you distributed Gospel tracts along with Christmas cakes during Christmas time to your neighbours, postman, TV Cable boy, vegetable vendor etc who come home...
Boy, recently the good Lord inspired me to share my testimony (what Jesus has done in my life) lovingly and respectfully with even "irksome" "unseen" telemarketers who give a buzz at unearthly hours*. Talk of turning the tables...Nothing stops you too from the doing the same...Hallelujah!!!
R-RICH IN GOOD DEEDS
Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give happily to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them. -- I Tim 6:18
Though we cannot saved BY good works, we are saved FOR doing them (Eph 2:8-10). Christianity is not merely Christ living in you but living through you (Philippians 4:13) empowering you all the time to rise above your selfish, vested interests even while demonstrating agape love. Boy, charity ought to be our second nature.
Remember, only things that follow us to Heaven are our good works (Rev 14:13). Salvation is free but Heavenly rewards have to be earned by dint of sincere service to the Master here below on Earth. Hey are you smart spiritual businessman, investing wisely in the Heavenly Bank where no thief can rob nor any moth destroy thy precious "deposits" (Matt 6:19-21)?
T-TENACITY
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.- 2 Tim 4:7
Let this truth be burned forever into the "hard disk" of your spirit. CHRISTIAN LIFE IS NOT A SPRINT BUT A MARATHON RACE WHEN IT COMES TO TENACIOUSLY CLINGING ONTO THE SAVING FAITH (Romans 10:9-10). Last-minute transformations like that of the repentant thief on the cross are more of an exception than the rule. Banking on the joy of the indwelling Holy Spirit, we need to display a dogged determination like Apostle Paul did in the face of many an adversity (2 Cor 11:23-33) and carry on importantly (I should add) with a THANKFUL HEART (Acts 16:16-25/ I Thess 5:18) borne out of love for the Master, remembering too that better things await us in Heaven (Romans 8:18/ 1 Cor 2:9/ Col 3:1-2).
Here I am reminded of a touching incident involving popular British Prime Minister of yore- Sir Winston Churchill. One day, in his last few years, he was invited to speak at a valedictory meeting in a British university. Due to a mishap with his car, he arrived during the last few minutes of the meeting. There was no time for a long speech but he was invited onto the platform and asked to say a few words. In his gruff manner, he looked over the audience of young graduates, paused for a few seconds and boomed "Never give up". He paused for about thirty seconds and then said , "Never, never give up". Finally after a much longer pause, he shouted "Never, never, NEVER give up!"... He then sat down but the audience rose to give him a standing ovation.
Carry on Christian (no pun intended)...meanwhile no harm in doing a honest reality check ...ART THOU A "SMART" DISCIPLE OF CHRIST... (Acts 11:26)!!!
Suresh Manoharan
Ps...This message replete with pics is also available at the following URL...
