What is a Real Christian?

A friend sent me an article about an interview with U2's Bono, and how Bono relies on the Grace of Christ over Karma where he states that he would be in big trouble "if Karma was going to finally be my judge. It doesn't excuse my mistakes, but I'm holding out for Grace. I'm holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don't have to depend on my own religiosity." These are the words of a man known for "his notoriously bad language, liberal politics, and rock star antics."

Wise words, but are they the words of someone who is saved? My initial thoughts were this; They (U2) have always proclaim themselves a 'Christian' band their very beginnings. Of course, I wonder how we are suppose to know this when they are indistinguishable from culture in their personal behavior. While Bono may be depending on the grace set forth by Christ to cover his sins, where does the process of sanctification show up in his life, especially since it is so public? They (U2) certainly do a lot of charitable things and promote awareness for causes that include injustice, poverty and hunger, but I have never, except for a occasional article heard Bono promote Christ. Doesn't he believe that Christ should be the first place those in trouble should turn, or that it is in the name of Christ  and not Bono/U2 he should promotes his many causes?

Sam Storm, in his book Pleasures Forevermore, talks about our need to focus firmly and diligently on Christ to overcome sinful behavior, especially when we talk about our so-called 'pet' sins. He talks about the prophet Isaiah's encounter with God in Isaiah 6:1-8. Isaiah, a prophet in God's service, obedient, a man of integrity, reduced to terror as realization of  his own sinfulness rushes to destroy him in the presence of God,  who is the absolute standard of holiness. Strive as we might, we can only pretend to know what that standard might looks like. If we were even close in approaching an idea on that magnificent standard, we would destroy ourselves. That is why Christ is needed as mediator between God and man. That is why His blood is the substance that saves us from what we will experience when we find ourselves in the presence of our Creator, our one and only God. If we are unaware of the how and why of Christ, can we still claim Him as our own? Does Paul's words concerning the fruit of the Spirit concern our public faith or just private (personal) faith? Does Christ not promise us rejection by the world in exchange for faith? Sounds like public faith to me.

Another email I received, was a bunch of cute quotes from children as they write letters and notes addressed to God. We have all come across these letters, especially if we use Email. Letters such as Dear God, Thank you for the baby brother but what I asked for was a puppy. I never asked for anything before. You can look it up. Joyce or Dear God, did you mean for giraffes to look like that or was it an accident? Norma. The Bible talks about us having faith like a child, and these 'letters' clearly show us what child-like faith could look like. These kids responded to God in the contents of what they knew concerning God, there was no great issues of ideology, theology, cultural warfare or a losing battle with pride in these letters. These letter writers do have a ways to go, and the Word of God should be the only true instruction manual, along with Godly parent(s), but these kids will not go very far without reading the Word of God. How can their faith be maintained? For "… faith comes from hearing, and hearing, the word of God ..." (Romans 10:17). How can our own walk be true without knowing what the Word of God teaches concerning true faith and the expectations that come with it.

I have an Uncle, who left his wife and is living with an ex-priest (male), who will still claim the Cross as his own. The bible addresses such, and it is not I who would judge him except in the content of what the Bible teaches concerning our fruit, and the folly of our reliance on the wisdom of man.  Anyway, I hope  (his dependence on Christ) is true in Bono life, but he has a lot to learn concerning the Christian walk, or the need to be readily identified in Christ. From where I sit, Bono (as well as my Uncle) are still depending on their own religiosity.