Been awhile since I’ve visited, but this topic is close to my heart and I’m glad you wrote on it Michael.

I have considered myself a Christian all my life. Grew up in the Methodist church, went almost every week growing up, continued to attend regularly in college and after marriage. When I was young, of course, I went because my parents (who are nominal Christians) did. Later I chose to go on my own because it seemed the right thing to do.

I believe this is one difference between a nominal and faithful Christian. While the nominal Christian BELIEVES IN GOD, the faithful Christian BELIEVES GOD.

So why was I a nominal Christian? Well, because I wasn’t regenerated yet! OK, I know that’s not what you are looking for. I was a nominal Christian for many reasons:

No passion to reflect on my faith
No passion to read the Bible
No passion to learn about Christianity
A love for the things of the world
A belief that faithful Christians were boring
Poor preaching from the Methodist pulpit
Denial (or lack of notice) of the general revelation I saw daily
Not enough contact with people who might evangelize to me

I believe that these experiences were necessary in my walk. My ability to share these and relate to others who experience these same problems has helped me to share the Gospel to many, and also given me a passion to try to reach nominal Christians within the pews of my church. Although I sometimes wish I would have turned to Christ sooner in my life, I don’t think I would be nearly as effective as a disciple.

Thanks Wayne, I appreciate your comments. Of course, God brought me through many deep waters to bring me to that understanding. He has schooled, and is schooling me, to be an effective messenger of the Gospel. Among many things which I’ve learned in this process….. that it is better to pray much, and speak the hard truth to those we love, than to remain silent (unless they are absolutely unwilling to listen…. that we must leave in God’s hands).

A woman told me her testimony recently…. sounded much like yours. She was involved in the “I found it Campaign” many years ago. As she shared the Four Spiritual Laws booklet with others, she came to realize that she herself was not saved. She went to her pastor and expressed this. He was surprised, and basically told her she was fine. She told me that she was at that time, very involved in teaching Sunday School and such at the church. It wasn’t until she left there and attended a different church (years later), that she finally came to know the Lord as her Savior.

As far as “hardened” goes…. I said that with my husband (and others who sit in churches where the Gospel is well articulated) in mind. It’s possible to listen but not have “ears to hear” (the Holy Spirit gives us that).

I recently had the pleasure of attending the DEEPER conference in Atlanta, held by Living Waters. Paul Washer spoke at the conference and his message is free for download here: http://www.heartcrymissionary.com/about/updates
10/20/08

The problem in the church today is not that people are gospel “hardened” as much as they are gospel “ignorant”. Washer explains that modern evangelicalism has replaced the Roman Catholic infant baptism with “ask Jesus into your heart” and you can go through life living however you want and be assured that you will still get to heaven. The solution to nominal Christianity is people being saved.

I did the alter call thing when I was 14. I then went through high school and college and, other than attending church occasionally, you couldn’t tell the difference between me and the lost. God has changed my heart and given me the passion that was missing. It was missing because I had never been regenerated by His Spirit. When my doubts crept in, I went to a pastor at my church and shared with him. He reminded me that I had made my “decision” and that it was just the devil sewing seeds of doubt in my heart. That was a lie. The doubt I felt was from God’s Spirit convicting me of who I was. As someone has already said, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.” 2 Corinthians 13:5

I feel so much sympathy and empathy for those who have shared their concerns about their own salvation in this thread. I applaud Susan for her ability to identify the problem and relate to people in a gentle and loving but truthful manner.

Much of the church today believes that if the world can see Jesus in us, they will come to Him. That’s not true – if the world see Jesus in us, the world will crucify us like they did him.

My prayers for all of you that are struggling and those who are counseling.

Thanks Susan

TUAD,

I believe you highlighted one of the main reasons for false conversion and why we have to real thorough with altar calls. Do you know that not too long ago, I visited a church here in Dallas for 2 weeks in a row. I thought it would be a solid footing since the pastor is an alumnus of the prominent seminary here. Well both times, there was an altar call at the end of the message summed up in the “get your life right with God so you can be better” message. Perhaps elders explained accurately the gospel in the one on one in the back with the person. I do not know. All I know is that we have to present people with the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

No mention of sin or the cross or resurrection when extending an invitation is, in my humble opinion, a tragedy. But yet invitations like this are extended in a whole lot of places, and people genuinely, I believe want something better, and they respond. But are they responding because they want a better life or are they responding due to a conviction of their sin and a need for a savior? The former I’m afraid cannot help but yield the group that Jesus addresses in Matt 7:21-23.

Dear Susan,

You are obediently faithful. Thankfully, the results are in God’s Hands.

Let me share with you a comment from a long-time self-deceived nominal Christian who, by the grace of God, awoke from her death sleep. (I’ve anonymized it)

“My name is Jane Doe from Anycity, Anystate. I have been a “silent partner” of this blog for a little over a year now . (I love you folks). Until now, I have been content to read the threads and learn from you all, but now I just have to comment.

I grew up “in church”. When I was 8 or 9, I went up at an altar call. I don’t recall being convicted by my sin (as in the Law is a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ…) It was that “ask Jesus into your heart” message (which I learned later isn’t in the Bible!)

I then proceeded to live as I wanted for many, many years and sad to say, I piled up lots more sin. There was no Fruit of the Spirit, and I did not attend church until I had children. I became more involved in church and if there ever was a legalist or a Pharisee it was me. I knew how to “do church” and I taught Sunday School, led the Youth Group, was the President of the Ladies’ Group,was on the Prayer Chain, etc. and you know what? I WAS NOT SAVED!!!!

How do I know this? Because I read my Bible and listened to preachers that actually preached the WHOLE GOSPEL,IN CONTEXT, (ie John MacArthur). In reading the word, I was convicted of my utter sinfulness. The words of Christ, Himself were most convicting of all. He turned out not to be the easy breezy fem hippy guy I was brought up with! THE MESSAGE MATTERS!!!

If I would have died, I would have went straight to hell, so I plead with Pastor John Doe to consider how serious this is. To paraphrase Ezekiel: If you are the watchman on the wall and the enemy is coming you better warn the people or their blood is on your head. The whole Word, in context, no apologies. “

Smile, I agree with Lisa (as always ), Grace Awakening would be a good read for you. I gave this book to my husband months, ago becaused I knew that he struggled with what you have shared. Actually, he came into a true relationship with the Lord while in the middle of reading that Book! He has assurance now.

Gosh Lisa, this is like old times!

TUandD,

Thanks for taking the time to read our story, and for the encouraging words.

You are right, that it can sometimes be very challenging to approach a nominal Christian with the Gospel. They are very defensive typically, and quick to see our concern as something other than loving. Often they view it as judgemental.

The problem is, in part, that they have become ‘Gospel hardened’. The Gospel is something others need to consider, but they see themselves as having it all nailed down. It is common for such a person to live with a very self-righteous framework without even realizing it. Their standard becomes other people. As long as they can compare themselves to a handful of others and tell themselves that they are doing better, they have satisfied their need to feel that they’re OK…..(alleviating guilt). My husband actually told me one day that he did this (before comming to Christ). I stopped him and told him that our pastor has said that we should never do this…..and God has said it 2 Cor. 10:12….. after all, everyone falls desperately short of God’s standard, and requirement.

My husband said that he had gone forward at that concert because he was “scared to death to go to hell”. It’s possible to desire to escape the wrath of God…. the justice of God, without being in a place of Holy Spirit-induced conviction over your own sin. You cannot truly repent without this work of the Holy Spirit. It’s not about choosing Jesus, but rather, it is receiving Jesus. It’s a matter of submitting to the conviction of the Spirit of God. Believe (who Jesus says He is), and repent (turning from the sin of the past). That is what is required by God, for salvation.

There are two other people (probably more) in my life who I believe are also self-deceived…. not in Christ. It is intimidating at times to talk with one of them, because she is quick to accuse me of being judgemental. The other person, I have yet to share my concerns with. I really need to ask for God’s Spirit to bring conviction to their hearts, and for wisdom for myself…. for the right time and words. Sharing the gospel always puts us in a place of needing to work with God’s Spirit. He will be there.

I own it but haven’t read it yet.

Smile, your honesty is refreshing. Have you read Grace Awakening by Chuck Swindoll? If not, I would highly recommend it.

LAL,

Your description, which I think goes for a lot of us if we’re honest, I think, reminds me of this passage in 2 Peter 1:

10Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;

11for in this way [making sure about your election] the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

Emphasis=making sure

It takes more than just saying yes to Jesus at that altar call, which btw I am not too in favor of. It is a lifelong pursuit filled with peaks and valleys, and is bound at some point to bring questions what we’re doing and what we are believing. But it does require perpetual motion. We can’t stop…making sure.