In Samaria, there was a sorcerer named Simon. When the disciples came into town to preach, he saw their miracles and was in awe and Scripture recorded that “Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw”-Acts 8:13.
In other words Simon became a Christian.
Not long after, Simon saw the disciples imparting power on others by the laying on of hands.
“When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit” – Acts 8:18-19. By this act, it was clear that Christ was not in Simon.
Like Simon, many people become Christians not for love of God, but because they have problems or they have seen wonders and miracles and are in awe and Christianity becomes for them a means to acquire miracles and financial breakthroughs instead of a way of life that leads to the death of the self and growth of the spirit.
Hence, the Bible warns of “people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain” – 1 Timothy 6:5.
Christ Himself defined the type of relationship He wants to have with us when He said, “I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in” -Revelations 3:20.
We call ourselves Christian because we are in Christ but the question is not whether we are in Christ. Rather it is whether Christ is in us. “Christ in you, the hope of glory” – Colossians 1:27.
God wants Christ-ins not just Christians.
Reno Omokri is the pastor of the Mind of Christ Christian Center and author of Shunpiking No Shortcuts To God. He can be reached on Twitter @renoomokri.
