Apologetics
When is a Christian a True Follower of Christ? 1,268 words
by Robert Schaetzle
‘The people answered Jesus, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can you say, ‘The Son of man must be lifted up?’ Who is the Son of man?” [John 12:34NKJV]
A valid and acceptable question coming from the people, for there were many who heard the name Jesus without knowing who He is as the Son of Man. The question remains; ‘who are we’ and how are we becoming recognized as ‘followers of Jesus?’ We know for certain, it’s a life time of growing and learning. A process that develops from wanting more of Him and less of self!
‘And He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow Me.”’ [Luke 9:23] This is a lot to chew on in understanding, if we’re to recognize the intent of this challenge.
I ask, when growing up how many of you wanted to be like one or both of your parents? Why did you feel that way? Was it the warmth of love and security you felt being close to them? This can be a picture of the love and grace given from the Father of love.
Now more than ever before, there are those born from one parent homes that never felt that closeness of having this security many older generation children received.
A case in point many years ago after our Thanksgiving meal was consumed, I asked those sitting around the table to give testimony of something they were thankful for that year. One of my daughters-in-law with tears welling up in her eyes shared; “I finally have a real family where I can call my home.” She was one of those growing up without a father to love and care for her.
My son Scott and his wife Debbie raised two sons of their own, my grandsons now in their twenties, were able to receive the security and love Debbie never received as a child. A testimony of God’s love and grace.
Wisdom From Above
One of the principle qualities for recognizing a true follower of Christ is one who understands Godly wisdom.
‘Wisdom is the principle thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding, exalt her, and she will promote you; she will bring you honor, when you embrace her.’
[Proverbs 4:7-8]
A challenge it is when we pursue this goal. But greater our success to find the power of His presence to lead.
‘But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.’ [James 3:17]
James saysmore in this one verse than we might recognize. It’s of greater value and more rewarding than being fed a diet of ‘text chatter’ on one’s smart phone or other media device. This is what the world wants us to feed on, but will it produce discernment to good living habits, especially for our youth to learn to lean on Jesus?
‘And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom; declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you expect Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit of power, that your faith should not be in wisdom of men, but in the power of God.’
[1 Cor. 2:1-5]
What Paul said to the Corinthians then, God is shouting at us today. Learning not to be conformed to this world takes discipline and will power to understand revelations of Spiritual worth.
Our social structure is determined to want us to believe there are no absolutes of Divine authority which we can hang on to, walk by or trust in.
“However, when He, the Spirit of truth has come He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” [John 16:13]
His Holy Spirit is comfort, and hope. We’ve all experienced His correction and discipline, whether we recognize it or not as being from above, but His love and grace has overcome the suffering of our foolishness. He helps us understand and teaches us to obey the revelations of His prompting. His leading us is what determines how we recognize when we’re true followers, rather than just believing we’re Christian by carrying His name.
In conversation with another we want them to understand what it is we’re attempting to communicate. That’s what God expects from us if we’re to wear His Name. Putting on the uniform of a soldier doesn’t make him qualified as a veteran warrior until he’s been through the conflict and experienced the battlefield.
Until we understand our role through spiritual struggle when we wear the title Christian, we’re just a recruit, or tenderfoot without a strong foundation to move forward into battle for ‘Spiritual Warfare.’
Our Test of Knowing Him
‘Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in Him. But whoever keeps the word, truly the love of God is perfected in Him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought also to walk just as He walked.
[1 John 2:3-6]
Keeping His commandments can only happen when we know the commandment, and to know the commandment we must continually be into His word.Again, to build a relationship with someone you must spend time with that person. His word is alive for us to build that intimacy. It’s our building block for a strong relationship with the Savior. This becomes our test of knowing Jesus in a very intimate and personal way.
The more we dwell upon the word, the darkness of this world around passes into the ‘Light of heavenly values and attitudes.’ That is to say, ‘We’re growing into Christlikeness.’
When is a Christian a true follower of Christ?
What makes him or her truly believe they’re born again, as Jesus told Nicodemus, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Peter defines being born again this way, ‘having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.’[1 Peter 1:23]
Again, Jesus told His followers, “And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” [Luke 7:23] For most of us we’re not ashamed of our earthly parents, so why are so many ashamed to proclaim the Savior of the world? This is God’s test for us as true followers of His Son, if we’re to wear His name, and wear it well.
Will we be become strong in faith and especially be willing to proclaim Jesus as did the Apostle Paul? “For Iam not ashamed of the gospel, it is the power of God to all who believe, to the Jew first and also to the Greek [or gentile]. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, “He who through faith is righteous shall live.”[Romans 1:16-17 RSV]
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