Those fancy alcoholic drinks that cost an arm and a leg which may make you temporarily feel good– or not. They contain within them the power, (alcohol in this case), to change your behavior and perceptions. Having one makes you a part of that particular crowd. You are accepted in “the club” of others having cocktails.
Mocktails.
Most of us have also heard of mocktails. A fancy looking drink, also costing an arm and maybe half a leg, but without the alcohol. They lack the “power" that regular alcoholic cocktails have. They don’t lead to changes in behavior or perceptions. Drinking a mocktail in a group of cocktail drinkers enables you to still look like you fit in. You blend in with the crowd. Unless they taste your drink, or hear you order it, they won’t know it isn’t the same potent drink they are having.
Cocktails:
1. May or may not look fancy.
2. They cost a lot.
3. Projects a certain appearance.
4. Contains alcohol (the “power” of the drink) The thing that effects change; a change of behavior, thoughts, and actions.
5. Looks like you are drinking from the same source when in a group
Mocktails:
1. May or may not look fancy
2. Also cost you a lot.
3. Makes you look like the others.
4. No alcohol (NO power) to cause a true change.
5. Looks like you are drinking from the same source as those with regular cocktails, but truly you are not. You are part of the group on the surface, but underneath you really aren’t as committed.
This is an unusual comparison, for sure, but the point comes across.
Becoming a believer and follower of Jesus Christ will cost you something. It costs you everything. To be a true follower of Jesus, we are called to lay down our lives for Him and let Him guide and direct us. We no longer live for our wishes and desires, but for Him and His kingdom.
With the authentic power of Jesus inside, we do feel good. Happy! But sometimes we can feel bad– convicted–because of sin in our lives. He desires that change in us so we can become more like Him. With His help, and by His Spirit, we have the power within us to make those changes.
When we become a true Christian, we join with other believers. A fellowship of saints, saved by the blood of Jesus. We are included and accepted.
So what are mocktail Christians?
Someone who believes they are a Christian by the works they do. The number of Bible verses you read, the studies you complete, the churches you attend, the people you hang out with. But the real power to effect change…is absent.
You look like a “real” Christian, but the inner workings are lacking. The relationship with God- the ability to be changed, and to effect change, is not there. The life-changing ingredient is missing. It’s superficial Christianity. It’s religion. It’s not the true life-changing, faith-based, repentant Christianity.
If you still walk like the world, look like the world, talk like the world– you may be a mocktail Christian.
Being a mocktail Christian also costs you something. In fact, while it may cost you the same things as being an authentic Christian, it can cost you more.
Matthew 7:21 says,“Not every one who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.’ (RSV Bible)
When he says "I never knew you,” He meant He could not recognize them as true disciples, followers, and friends. Jesus is not ending a relationship with them but rather explaining how they never had a relationship with him to begin with. (1) (Emphasis mine.) These were people who on the surface seemed like other followers of Jesus. They did the spiritual things others did. They looked the part. In verse 22, they listed all the things they did in His name.
Were they good things? Yes, they were. But good things and good works will not save us.
Jesus looks at the fruit of our lives– the choices we make, the way we live–as evidence of our heart condition and what we truly believe. Doing good things, helping with Sunday school, having artwork of scripture hanging on your living room wall, going to church every week, belonging to a certain religious school, or any other outward action does not make you a Christian. Being transformed and reconciled to God through repentance and a change of heart are the only way to a true relationship with God.
We need the power of God inside of us. I don’t want to stand before the Lord one day and have Him say He never knew me in spite of all the “good” things I may have done in my life. I want to be a person who has the power of God inside me, through a relationship with Him, to bring about change in this world. How about you?
(1) What Did Jesus Mean by "Depart from Me I Never Knew You"? | Bible Study Tools
Mocktails.
Most of us have also heard of mocktails. A fancy looking drink, also costing an arm and maybe half a leg, but without the alcohol. They lack the “power" that regular alcoholic cocktails have. They don’t lead to changes in behavior or perceptions. Drinking a mocktail in a group of cocktail drinkers enables you to still look like you fit in. You blend in with the crowd. Unless they taste your drink, or hear you order it, they won’t know it isn’t the same potent drink they are having.
Cocktails:
1. May or may not look fancy.
2. They cost a lot.
3. Projects a certain appearance.
4. Contains alcohol (the “power” of the drink) The thing that effects change; a change of behavior, thoughts, and actions.
5. Looks like you are drinking from the same source when in a group
Mocktails:
1. May or may not look fancy
2. Also cost you a lot.
3. Makes you look like the others.
4. No alcohol (NO power) to cause a true change.
5. Looks like you are drinking from the same source as those with regular cocktails, but truly you are not. You are part of the group on the surface, but underneath you really aren’t as committed.
This is an unusual comparison, for sure, but the point comes across.
Becoming a believer and follower of Jesus Christ will cost you something. It costs you everything. To be a true follower of Jesus, we are called to lay down our lives for Him and let Him guide and direct us. We no longer live for our wishes and desires, but for Him and His kingdom.
With the authentic power of Jesus inside, we do feel good. Happy! But sometimes we can feel bad– convicted–because of sin in our lives. He desires that change in us so we can become more like Him. With His help, and by His Spirit, we have the power within us to make those changes.
When we become a true Christian, we join with other believers. A fellowship of saints, saved by the blood of Jesus. We are included and accepted.
So what are mocktail Christians?
Someone who believes they are a Christian by the works they do. The number of Bible verses you read, the studies you complete, the churches you attend, the people you hang out with. But the real power to effect change…is absent.
You look like a “real” Christian, but the inner workings are lacking. The relationship with God- the ability to be changed, and to effect change, is not there. The life-changing ingredient is missing. It’s superficial Christianity. It’s religion. It’s not the true life-changing, faith-based, repentant Christianity.
If you still walk like the world, look like the world, talk like the world– you may be a mocktail Christian.
Being a mocktail Christian also costs you something. In fact, while it may cost you the same things as being an authentic Christian, it can cost you more.
Matthew 7:21 says,“Not every one who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.’ (RSV Bible)
When he says "I never knew you,” He meant He could not recognize them as true disciples, followers, and friends. Jesus is not ending a relationship with them but rather explaining how they never had a relationship with him to begin with. (1) (Emphasis mine.) These were people who on the surface seemed like other followers of Jesus. They did the spiritual things others did. They looked the part. In verse 22, they listed all the things they did in His name.
Were they good things? Yes, they were. But good things and good works will not save us.
Jesus looks at the fruit of our lives– the choices we make, the way we live–as evidence of our heart condition and what we truly believe. Doing good things, helping with Sunday school, having artwork of scripture hanging on your living room wall, going to church every week, belonging to a certain religious school, or any other outward action does not make you a Christian. Being transformed and reconciled to God through repentance and a change of heart are the only way to a true relationship with God.
We need the power of God inside of us. I don’t want to stand before the Lord one day and have Him say He never knew me in spite of all the “good” things I may have done in my life. I want to be a person who has the power of God inside me, through a relationship with Him, to bring about change in this world. How about you?
(1) What Did Jesus Mean by "Depart from Me I Never Knew You"? | Bible Study Tools
Very good!
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