Are You a Christian?

Thank you for joining us. I ask a question that I believe many would answer in the affirmative. However, I also believe many do not have a clear understanding of what it means to be a true Christian. I pray the Holy Spirit would give revelation and clarity of thought and understanding through the sharing of the Word today. Eric

The question, "Are you a Christian?" if asked in today's society would be answered, "Yes" by many. However, I believe many who would answer in that way have no idea of what it actually means to be a Christian. Some may answer, "I grew up in a Christian home," or "I live in a predominately Christian nation," or "My parents are Christians," or "I go to church regularly..." I dare say, there are many who attend Christian churches who cannot accurately define what it means to be a Christian.

In order for you to be in right relationship with your Creator God, you must accept the free gift given to you through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus came to earth to sacrifice His life and by His shed blood, He paid the penalty for your sins. (Romans 10:9 and 10). When you make that decision to accept the sacrifice Christ made for you personally,, you have salvation and eternal life. That is the first step in becoming a Christian.

We find the first account of believers being called 'Christians' in Acts 11:26. Barnabas sought out, found and took Paul to Antioch where they stayed and taught the people in the church for a year. The end of verse 26 reads, "And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians."

The term 'Christian' was first used by outsiders to describe followers of Christ. Very likely, it was meant as a term of derision. However, it became a badge of honor for believers since it signified their identity in Christ, recognized them as followers of Christ and separated them from other Jewish sects." (Bible Hub Study Bible). So, when we consider what it means to be a 'Christian,' we must begin with the definition of the word "follow." In Matthew 16:24, Jesus spoke these words to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." The word 'follow' in this verse is the Greek word akoloutheo and means: to be in the same way with or to accompany (especially as a disciple). The Bible Hub Topical Lexicon expounds on the meaning of akoloutheo by stating, "It denotes a deliberate whole-person response of attachment, obedience and on-going companionship." Used in the New Testament in conjunction with Christ, "it serves as the primary verb for discipleship, encapsulating the life of one who hears Christ's call, abandons competing allegiances and continues in loyal fellowship with him." Jesus told the disciples, if anyone would 'come after me' they would also 'deny himself.' 'Deny himself' conveys putting the interests of the Kingdom first and foremost in one's life. It signifies to make a conscious decision to set aside your own personal desires, ambitions and comforts in preference to God's will. Denying self also includes being humble and submissive. To 'take up your cross' signifies having a willingness to suffer hardships and persecution for the sake of Christ. 'Taking up your cross' is not a one-time event. It involves making a daily decision and continually relying on God's strength and grace. Further, it is a call to accept the challenges and sacrifices that will come to anyone who chooses to live a life devoted to Jesus. (We must remember, we enter a battlefield when we choose to follow Christ. His arch enemy, satan, doesn't like us any better than he does Jesus!). The phrase 'follow Me' indicates action and a commitment. It means we follow His example. Our lifestyle should mirror Jesus' lifestyle!

When a person receives Jesus into his or her life and chooses to follow Him, their life will change. 2 Corinthians 5:17 teaches that, “if anyone is in Christ , they are a new creation, the old is gone and a new life has begun.” We definitely see the truth of this played out when we consider how the lives of the disciples changed when they became followers of Jesus. Peter, James, John and Andrew left their life as fishermen when they followed Christ. Matthew had been a tax collector and to the Jews, had been considered a traitor, for collecting taxes for the Romans.

Zacchaeus, another tax collector, upon his personal encounter with Jesus, became a believer and told Jesus that he would give half of his goods to the poor and that if he had defrauded anyone, he would restore it fourfold! (Luke 19:8). Old desires and priorities will change.

Do all of the changes we will (or need to) make happen at once? Absolutely not. Our growth in relationship, sanctification and our becoming the person God desires us to be is a process.

When we become a follower of Christ, our heart's desires have a new focus. "There is nothing on earth that I desire besides You." (Psalm 73:25). God becomes the strength of our heart and He becomes our refuge! (Psalm 73:26 and 28).

As a follower of Christ, we need to make a decisive break from our previous attitudes and behaviors that are inconsistent with a life in Christ. There needs to be a complete renunciation of our old lifestyle because our 'old' self had an unregenerated nature and was dominated by the darkness of sin which separated us from God. (Ephesians 4:22-24).

We are instructed very emphatically in Romans 12:2 (BSB), "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." 'World' in this verse is referring to a godless system. 'Conformed' means accommodating oneself to a model or pattern. 'Transformed' here, indicates change. "The change (we make as we are transformed) is present and continuously affected by the Spirit through Scripture - saturated thinking. A moral and intellectual change, reversing the world's pressure and aligning the disciple with God's holy character." (Bible Hub Topical Lexicon).

Praise God! The followers of Christ, the Christians, through Scripture and the help of the Holy Spirit, can be released from the pull and control of the world on us and become more aligned with God's character!

We need to realize how important it is for believers to 'not conform to the world.' (a godless system). We all live in a fallen world, where we see evidence daily of just how godless the world system has become. In John 17, Jesus prayed that His disciples who were 'in' the world and were hated by the world, because they were not 'of' the world, would be kept from the evil one.

Let's read this quote from Word Wealth in the NSFLB, "Even apparent or superficial conformity to the present world system or any accommodation to its ways would be fatal to the Christian life." Why would that be so? Just as all of Jesus' actions and attitudes were scrutinized by the enemies of God, as children of God, our life's attitudes, actions and behaviors are also being scrutinized by the enemies of God. Most of us are aware that ‘the devil goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.’ (1 Peter 5:8). However, it is imperative for us to realize that aside from destroying us, he would like nothing better than, to destroy our Christian witness. We must be willing to deny the lusts of the world and be transformed into the image of Christ, Whom we follow.

So, Scripturally, what are some of the characteristics of a follower of Christ?

A Christian will be:

1).One who engages with Jesus, up close and in intimate ways. "He is the vine, we are the branches, apart from Him, we can do nothing." (John 15:5). He desires fellowship with us. (Revelation 3:2).

2). One who spends time with God in His Word. His Word is God breathed and is equips man for every good work. (2 Timothy3:16,17).

3). One who connects with God continually through prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

4). One who makes worship and praise a lifestyle. (Psalm 96:2,3).

5). One who embraces growth as a lifetime pursuit. (Colossians 1:10; 2 Peter 3:18).

6). One who practices generosity. (2 Corinthians 9:6,7).

7). One who unites with other believers. (Ephesians 4:15,16).

8). One who exercises an ongoing life of faith. (Hebrews 11:6).

9). One who shares God's story. (Romans 10:15; 2 Corinthians 5:20).

10). One who loves, each day, to do God's will. (1 Peter 4:2).

What example of Christian behaviors, in the Christian's life, should be seen by others?

1). When you suffer for doing good, take it patiently.

2). Maintaining a peaceful humble spirit.

3). Bless and not curse or retaliate...speak words of blessing.

4). Always be ready to share your hope and faith with others.

5). Extend hospitality with a joyful heart.

6). Give God your anxieties.

7). Let your life witness for Jesus regardless of your circumstances.

8). Devote your self to loving Jesus.

9). Pursue holiness.

10). Be honest, sincere and pure in all your relationships.

(Gleaned from the book of 1 Peter, Truth in Action, NSFLB).

"Unfortunately, over time the word 'Christian' has lost a great deal of significance and is often used of someone who is religious or has high moral values. but who may not be a true follower of Jesus Christ." (Gotquestions.com).

Our prayer for you today is that, in having looked at all the Scriptures with us, you realize that the following list "Does Not Make you a Christian."

Going to church

Living in a Christian nation

Being a 'member' of a church

Attending church services regularly

Giving to the work of the church

Doing good works

However, a true Christian is one who has put faith and trust in the present work of Jesus, including: His death on the cross, His blood being the payment for your sins, and His resurrection on the 3rd day following His death. If you, personally, accept His sacrifice and choose to follow Him, you too are a Christian.

If you do not have a personal relationship with Christ, not realizing He did all of that because He loves you, and you nave not chosen to be a follower of Him, you can change that today. Today is the day of salvation.

If you would like to accept the salvation Jesus provided by shedding His blood for you, you can pray this prayer with me, "Father God, I thank You that You made a way for me where that was no way. I thank Jesus for dying for me and paying my penalty for my sins. I confess those sins and ask that You cleanse me. Lord, I pray that from this day on, You and Your Spirit would help me to be a follower of Christ. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen"

If you have become a new believer today or if you are continuing to be a follower of Christ in difficult circumstances, we pray that God would pour His love, strength and power out upon you and that you would keep your eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of your faith.

Unless noted otherwise, all Scriptures are taken from the English Standard Version.

BSB Berean Standard Bible

NSFLB New Spirit Filled Life Bible