Christian Living
Preformed Opinions & Self Ideations
Yields Trouble In Identity
Christian and Disciple are the two titles of who we are, of which, one of these terms is not used very often (Disciple). We all grasp quickly the concept and title of Christian in today’s society. People use the word Christian very loosely, not understanding what or who a Christian is. When asked on various forms nowadays you may find a question asking religious preference, and most check Christian. What is a Christian? What is a Disciple? In walking with Christ, can one be a Christian and not be a disciple? I now establish my stand before I go any further by saying: “You cannot be a Christian without being a disciple of Christ.” Thus, a follower of Jesus Christ is a Christian i.e. Disciple. Let me be clear, “you can’t be one without the other.”
What Is A Christian
The word Christian was coined in Antioch by spectators in the community, as they witnessed the overwhelming changes in their neighbors who learned of and embraced the saving knowledge of Jesus the Christ (the Anointed One). The word “Christian” means to be like Christ. So, in a nutshell, a Christian is a born again man or woman, and follower of Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha Maschiah). Today, the word Christian is thrown about so freely in the western culture. It is used somewhat as though it’s an ethnicity (African American, Caucasian, etc.…), and this is the truth.
For a Christian is a people. “Christians are a Nation” of Holy set apart; unto God people.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1Peter 2:9-20
Jesus also mentioned in the book of John of having another flock that He will have and how the two will be one flock (in Him). Christians are that people (that nation) He spoke of, and who Peter spoke of who would be grafted in as a branch to the Nation of Israel.
“And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold and one shepherd.” John 10:16 KJV
You must be born again to be a Christian and follower (disciple) of Jesus Christ. You must experience the new birth. Just as the LORD’s Spirit hovered over the waters and created life, and just as He breathed life into the nostrils of the first man Adam, and he became a living soul; so does the Spirit create new life in every person who after hearing and receiving the good news of the Kingdom of God and of His Christ (His Messiah), and believes in His name; he or she is born again. A new creation and a new creature because you are given a new spirit. You are now a person born of the Spirit of God. A son or daughter of God (the Father of our Lord). As the scripture says: “The LORD has delivered you from the powers of darkness, and He has translated you into the kingdom of His dear Son (Jesus Christ/Yeshua Maschiah), you have become a new person, who no longer walks after the rudiments of this world, but follow after Christ.
You are a New People
Our ethnicity is by birth. It is by the birth of the Holy Spirit. In other words, a Christian is born of the Spirit of God. This person, this new babe takes on His attributes, just as a child takes on the attributes of his earthly parents. This new creation, this new creature must be fed the spiritual food of the word of God, and surround himself or herself in the proper environment to grow properly, just as a newborn baby needs milk and desires it and is hungry for it. This food causes the child to grow. His environment yields the type of person the child will mature into.
What Is A Disciple?
Becoming a disciple
After a person is born again he or she desires milk as well, and must be fed in order to grow. Sometimes this does not happen, or sometimes it starts but does not continue. This can and does happen on occasion (and it’s unfortunate), but today I will not discuss the chain of events that can cause such to happen. My focus today is on the person that has experienced the true born again experience, and continues to feed on the Word of God (the scripture) daily.
The Condition of the Heart
This new creature is born again, and has received with joy, the Word of God into his or her heart. The condition of the heart is very important. In chapter 4 verses 1-25 of The Gospel of Mark, Jesus addresses the condition of the heart and how you receive information. Let’s take a look. This may take a minute, but the point must be made, because the condition of the heart is paramount to what we hear and how we receive anything from the Lord.
“And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, Hearken; Behold, there went out a Sower to sow: And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
The Purpose of the Parables
“And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? The Sower soweth the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word. And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.”
A Lamp Under a Basket
“And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was anything kept secret, but that it should come abroad. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.” KJVA
So please pay attention to how you are listening and perceiving and pondering the Word. Check your heart. Your very life depends on it.
So…Are You a Christian?
If you don’t recall a new birth experience with a time of awareness of the fact that you are a sinner, and that you are destined for an eternity without the presence and peace of God, if someone doesn’t do something about it. If you have not experienced this heavy conviction in your heart, then you cannot enter the kingdom of God without someone vouching for you, covering you, washing your sins away, saving you from the wrath of the Father and restoring true fellowship with Him, you are not a Christian, nor are you a disciple of Christ. First of all you must be born again.
If this is you
- If after reading this brief explanation of what a Christian is, and you realize you have not experienced the true new birth or if you question your salvation, it’s not too late.
- Acknowledge that you are a sinner
- Acknowledge that you want to begin again and be born again
- Acknowledge that you truly want to know Christ as your Savior
- Ask the Lord to help you
- Ask Him to come into your heart
- Ask Him to forgive you of all of your sins
- Ask Him to cleanse you from all unrighteousness
- Tell Him that you want to follow Him
- Tell Him that you want to be His disciple
- Tell Him that you want to make Him Lord of your life
- Tell Him that you want Him to make you His own and
- Embrace Him
Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19
The Sinner’s Prayer
Lord Jesus. I am a sinner. I want a new life with you.
I truly want to know you and to be your child.
Please forgive me of my sins.
Please cleanse me from all my unrighteousness.
I will follow You.
Teach me Lord. I want to be your child. Fill me with your Spirit. I want to
be your disciple.
Come into my heart. Be my Lord. Make me your own.
I pray in Jesus Name
Amen
And Now
The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:
The Lord make his face shine upon thee,
and be gracious unto thee:
The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee,
and give thee peace.
Amen
Numbers 2:24-27
Part II of this article is entitled: “Concerns Of A Believer”. Please read for your edification
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