Let’s have just a little bit of sympathy now for “Always Christians.” Now that we have taken a look at the prisoners whose sin is ever before them — who wake up every morning with the grim reminder of what they have done and why they are paying for it — but who also in that environment, have the real advantage of truly knowing the freedom Christ brings through forgiveness and a new heart. In light of these realities, “Always Christians” have it pretty tough.
They never quite fully identify with the human race. There’s always been a little separation there — a notion in the back of their minds that they don’t belong with the worst of them, the ones Flannery O’Connor calls “white trash, clean for the first time in their lives … battalions of freaks and lunatics shouting and clapping and leaping like frogs.” No, “Always Christians” are the ones who “always had a little of everything and the God-given wit to use it right … accountable as they had always been for good order and common sense and respectable behavior.”
When the preacher talks about grace, “Always Christians” know that’s good news for them, but it’s even better news for everyone else. Intellectually they might know that nothing separates them from any other sinner, but they never really feel like any other sinner. They know that when it all shakes down, they will come out looking pretty good. They’ve always thought this way. Even if they tried to be a really bad sinner, it just wouldn’t take.
That’s why they are never fully convinced that their sin is just as bad as the other guy’s. And when the poor hungry bastards stand in the hand-out line for grace, “Always Christians” are more likely to be helping hand it out than receiving it. They just wouldn’t want to look that pathetic.
“Always Christians” love to quote John 3:16 and talk about the gospel for everyone else — how God has bridged the gap between us and Him, though they are never fully aware of what that gap is because “Always Christians” have always been on God’s side of things. They are in the inner circle. There are certain privileges.
“Always Christians” are positive … well, almost positive … they are on Team God, and that God is pleased to have them. They are the ones who will be seated in the roped-off section. They wear permanent name tags. After all, they didn’t just get here yesterday; they’ve been here all along. They have always been Christians; they can’t even remember a before.
So let’s have just a moment of silence for “Always Christians” who have served so well, but when everyone lines up to receive their salvation, can they really be sure they will get theirs? After trying so hard, that’s a tough place to be.
John Fischer The Catch 
This is why one of my favorite poems is Samuel Shoemaker’s “I stand by the door”. The part ..”go all the way in great saints” stand out here. I too would rather be a “door keeper” If you’d like here’s a link to just the piece http://www.thejaywalker.com/pages/shoemaker.html
Jphn…. You’re sounding very self-righteous today. Sure am glad when I’m “lined up to receive salvation”, you are not the one there passing out entry cards. God knows the people’s hearts far better than any of us….. including you, brother. Leave it up to Him will ya. The wheat looks an awful lot like tares…. remember? He will take care of this perfectly, as He has told us. Your are dividing us, unnecessarily so, with this kind of admonition.
Dear Bev and Ralph,
My tongue was firmly planted in my cheek as I wrote this. I made full use of hyperbole here. First, there is no one who has always been a Christian. This person doesn’t exist (that’s why I put it in quotes). But I wrote about him as if he did so I could point out wrong attitudes we all have. Besides there is no one who understands the “Always Christian” better than me, because, in my mind, I have always been one. I can’t remember a before. But if someone wants to know if there is sin in my life? Oh brother, step aside while I bring the dump truck over. If any of the things I pointed out about “Always Christians” seem right to anyone, they have some examining to do.
Sorry John… I don’t buy the hyperbole. I just re-read all of this a couple more times to be sure I read you right…. and I’m sure I did. I know who you are referring to when you tag many as “always Christians”. We all know those in that category you refer to. We all have our own particular testimony of how we came to know Christ, or how we thought we knew Him (usually through bad teaching/doctrine, etc.). I’ve heard many, and enjoy how Our Lord calls us in all the personal, and simple, and dynamic ways He does. All our lives are so different in so many ways. John, I really sense you are still stuck in that 60’s/70’s rebellion kind of attitude that many of us are so familiar with (I’m 66). The word “plastic” was a common byword back then, used to describe our parents’, and their generations’ standards, morals, authenticities, etc., …. you know what I mean. We were kids back then…. thought we knew everything…. suffered from our own form of pride… youthful pride. Now I know better. Sure, there are still lots of those types sitting around us on any Sunday, but the sometimes slow, but always effective, work of the Holy Spirit in and around believers, and the Word taught and preached in truth by them, is far more effective in revealing God’s truth. Encourage your people to read their Bibles for themselves, and find Christ, and His salvation for themselves. That way they won’t make the mistake of comparing themselves to the “tares”….. or the mistake of trying to root them out, and in the process uproot those around them…. or worse yet… mistake a “wheat” for a tare. Some jobs are reserved for angels. Preach it simple…. not so much journalistic bling added (eg. “those hungry bastards”). The Power is in the Good News itself. Hebrews 13:1
Ralph, I don’t believe John was being self-righteous in any way but rather making a very good point. He simply stated that there is no one person better than the next and “IF” someone happens to believe they are better, they had better think twice. John is also aware that God knows our hearts and I’m sure God knows John’s heart is in the right place. You seem to take quite a bit of offense to this writing and it makes me wonder why.
Keep up the great work John……you are making all of us aware of our “unworthiness” and making us more and more thankful that we have, at least, found Christ and hopefully we are on the right path.
Years ago the wonderful wife of my former pastor told me that she had been a Christian since her early childhood. She went on to say that she had loved the Lord and had always tried to follow His teachings. She asked me if her testimony was less valuable than a person who had led a sinful life, then repented and came to Christ.
Why do I sense that you think that someone who has lived a life of sin, THEN received Christ, is somehow more valuable than one who has lived a life of joyful obedience. My pastor’s wife knew she was a sinner saved by grace, not by ANY works that she had done. Early in life she made a commitment to live a life of obedience to her Savior. Maybe you want to call her an “always Christian” but I say she was an inspiration to everyone who knew her.
I have a very uncomfortable feeling that you resent people that aren’t where you are in their spiritual journey. I think this was one of the most arrogant blogs you have written and it makes me really sad.
Dear Bev and Ralph,
My tongue was firmly planted in my cheek as I wrote this. I made full use of hyperbole here. First, there is no one who has always been a Christian. This person doesn’t exist (that’s why I put it in quotes). But I wrote about him as if he did so I could point out wrong attitudes we all have. Besides there is no one who understands the “Always Christian” better than me, because, in my mind, I have always been one. I can’t remember a before. But if someone wants to know if there is sin in my life? Oh brother, step aside while I bring the dump truck over. If any of the things I pointed out about “Always Christians” seem right to anyone, they have some examining to do.
You wrote : “She asked me if her testimony was less valuable than a person who had led a sinful life, then repented and came to Christ.” I would answer her Yes, her testimony is less valuable, because she has led a sinful life too and she’s not being honest about it. Like Bob, the good Christian kid in the movie “The Big Kahuna” who says to his coworker, “You mean I have to do something I’ll regret in order to have character?” and his coworker answers, “No, Bob. You’ve done plenty of things to regret; you just don’t know what they are.”
I don’t understand people being offended with this particular catch. Isn’t this just a take on the story of the pharisee and the tax collector? Any divisions among believers in this instance was made in Scripture. I also fail to see any self righteousness on John’s part.
Make that any divisions WERE made in Scripture. I hate when that happens…