5 types of christians by Paris Reidhead

1) Those who have met the "forgiving Christ." That is, they have "accepted Jesus" primarily to escape hell, suffering, and punishment.
2) Those who have met the "utilitarian Christ." That is, they have found that God can help them get what they need -- their whole interest in Christianity is that they should be taken care of by faith.
3) Those who have met the "status-giving Christ." These have joined the Church because they wanted fellowship and to be around the people. Position within the group is also typically very important within this group, and any achievement is hailed as part of the "glory of God."
4) Those who have met the "emotion-satisfying Christ." Their whole purpose in Christianity and religion is to satisfy their emotional needs. They look for everything that will make them laugh, cry, or both.
5) Those "who have met the Holy God and the Sovereign Christ." They have seen their terrible sinfulness and have known forgiveness, their prayers have been answered, they have found status as God's Children, and they have been filled with the Joy of God. But in addition to all this, this group is living only for God's glory and to walk according to the Cross. Only this fifth group is the true Church of God.

1) Those who have met the "forgiving Christ." That is, they have "accepted Jesus" primarily to escape hell, suffering, and punishment.

Sounds like a good primary place to avoid!

2) Those who have met the "utilitarian Christ." That is, they have found that God can help them get what they need -- their whole interest in Christianity is that they should be taken care of by faith.

Eph 3:20 "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us."

Matthew 6:8 "Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him."

Hebrews 4:16 "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Amen!

3) Those who have met the "status-giving Christ." These have joined the Church because they wanted fellowship and to be around the people. Position within the group is also typically very important within this group, and any achievement is hailed as part of the "glory of God."

Luke 3:8 "Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

Proverbs 11:1 "A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.

Matt 23:15 "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

Ugh!

4) Those who have met the "emotion-satisfying Christ." Their whole purpose in Christianity and religion is to satisfy their emotional needs. They look for everything that will make them laugh, cry, or both.

??

5) Those "who have met the Holy God and the Sovereign Christ." They have seen their terrible sinfulness and have known forgiveness, their prayers have been answered, they have found status as God's Children, and they have been filled with the Joy of God. But in addition to all this, this group is living only for God's glory and to walk according to the Cross. Only this fifth group is the true Church of God.

Amen!