What’s so great about being called a Christian?

[Joe Green]

I recently came across an article that a few years ago would have shocked me. I am saddened to say that it disappointed me a great deal but didn’t really bother me like it would have last year. “Gay Bishop Will Open Inaugural Weekend” is the headline that I am referring to. New Hampshire Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson has been invited to offer a prayer at the Lincoln Memorial for an inaugural event for President-elect Barack Obama. The article goes on to quote the bishop in saying,” he doesn't yet know what he'll say, but he knows he won't use a Bible”. However, the most absurd statement made in the article is when Robinson states, “"I will be careful not to be especially Christian in my prayer. This is a prayer for the whole nation".
First things first; prayer is communication between man and God. When a Christian prays he should have a purpose behind it, he is speaking directly to God. It is an awesome privilege that the creator of the universe allows us to speak directly to Him. If we are speaking solely for the benefit of another human then we are not praying, we are simply talking or giving a speech. Jesus is the only mediator between God and man, and therefore a Christian prayer is the only way that the God of the Bible recognizes our prayers. If a supposedly Christian Bishop does not pray a Christian prayer than who would he be praying to? Again, praying in any other way than what the Bible tells us to is just a speech or something; it is not a prayer.
I don’t know why I get so frustrated with the way things are. The Bible says that in the last days men will turn away from sound Biblical truths and will pursue heretical doctrines, this is a prime example. Calling yourself an openly gay Christian is a contradiction of terms. The Bible does not allow for a person openly living in sin to be in leadership. God has not changed His mind homosexuality is still a sin. The Bible says that God desires obedience to His Word over anything else we have to offer.
As an African American I take offence with the gay community placing themselves in the same category as a racial minority group. Blacks and other minority groups have fought long and hard against being mistreated simply because of the color of their skin or their sex. Homosexuality is a choice, race is not. That is another issue altogether.
The main issue that I have is the way that Christianity has been diluted. So many people want to be labeled as a Christian yet they don’t want to follow the tenets of Christianity. It is sickening the level of compromise that has taken place within the world of Christianity. If you don’t want to follow the Bible then why is it so important that you be called a Christian?
God hates compromise! In the old and the New Testaments God’s judgment was harshest towards the people that said they were people of God yet didn’t live accordingly. Jesus harshly condemned certain religious leaders by saying, “they confess me with their mouths yet their hearts are far from me”. Those are the people who Jesus termed as “hypocrites”, “wolves in sheep’s clothing” that lead many people astray.
If you don’t want to follow the Bible then that is your choice. Of course there are negative consequences but it is your choice. If you choose not to follow the Biblical definition of Christianity then be something else. Why is it so important to have the title “Christian”? It is not a club or a social organization; it is supposed to be a lifestyle choice. Being called a Christian will not get you into Heaven, living the life spelled out in the Bible will.
Christianity is based on faith. The Bible says that our salvation starts with our confession of faith; faith in Jesus Christ and faith in the Word of God. You demonstrate your faith by being obedient to God’s Word, not just by saying that you are a Christian. The Bible says that without faith it is impossible to please God.
Bishop Robinson and others like him are attempting to hijack Christianity and to turn it into something that is convenient for them. They want the title, but they are not living the life of a Christian.
So Bishop Robinson I have three questions for you: 1) if you don’t follow the Bible then why do you want to have the title Christian? 2) If you claim to be a Christian then why offer up a prayer that is not based on your faith? 3) And lastly if you do not believe in what you profess then why bother?