S.m.a.r.t.

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!!!