Four Truths

Truth #1: What is a Christian?

The first foundational Truth is to properly define what a Christian is. We have been very sloppy about this around the world and in every culture. Because we have not been clear about what a Christian is, we have built much of God’s House on the sand. We have defined what makes someone a Christian by such things as sentiment or emotions or family upbringing. We have defined what a Christian is by whether a person has the “right” set of beliefs. We have defined a Christian by whether a person sings well, or attends enough, or tithes properly. That is not how Jesus defined Christianity.

Jesus said, “Unless you forsake all, you cannot be my disciple.” Jesus said, “Unless you take up your cross every day, you cannot follow me.” In the book of Acts, the Bible says, “The disciples were called ‘Christians’ first in Antioch.” So, whenever you see the word “disciple” in the teachings of Jesus, think in your mind the word “Christian.” When Jesus said, “Unless you forsake everything you cannot be My disciple,” He was saying you cannot be a Christian if you don’t give away your life. He did not say, “Unless you attend, you cannot be a Christian.” He did not say, “Unless you read your Bible, you cannot be a Christian.” He did not say, “Unless you give money, you cannot be a Christian.” Jesus said, “Unless you die to your very self, you cannot be a Christian!”

Jesus is calling for a people who will die to their very selves. They will forsake everything to come after Him. They will forsake their pride and material goods to follow Him. They will turn away from personal sin and selfishness. They will love others more than they love themselves. This relationship with Jesus will change how they act every single day.

Unless we define the word “Christian” the way Jesus does, the House will sink into the sand and be washed away. This is what Jesus the King promised would happen if we build on the sand of hearing, singing and talking, but do not obey. The house we build will perhaps be something that is fun for us, but it will mean nothing to Jesus. The house we build may make us a little happier because we are singing and getting together, but it doesn’t mean anything if God is not happy about it! It doesn’t mean anything if satan is still winning the battle in our lives. If we are not building a life and a Church that brings pleasure to Jesus, then we are wasting our time and God’s time.
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Small portion taken from a teaching.

A profession is a way of living. We often
define ourselves and our purpose according
to our profession. That's why Christianity
is much more than a religion; it is a
profession; a way of life that brings glory
to GOD and honors Christ.

Are we really living for the One who gave
Himself for us??
Are we seeking to please Him in everything
we do??
REMEMBER, to be Christian is to be Christ-like!!

CHARLES STANLEY

Jesus said, “Unless you forsake all, you cannot be my disciple.” Jesus said, “Unless you take up your cross every day, you cannot follow me.”

There are times when these statements made by Jesus are so very challenging for me to live and walk in, and yet I love Him so that I can see no other way to express that love for Him. I must willingly daily live to obey and honor Him in all things.

God Bless
maryjane

Thank you for posting this Mary Jane, I was blessed by this. It seems to tie in with a discussion about election, predestination and if every person is given an opportunity to hear the Gospel I had last night with my uncle and a friend.

Snippets from the conversation included things like the conquests of the Muslims that forced people to convert or die by the sword. The question about people who die in areas where the Gospel is not preached and/or there are no copies of the Bible available in their native tongue are going to be sent to hell.

It seems like these questions stem from a root of pride and a desire to be counted. The fall of what was considered Christendom to the Muslim armies during the Crusades begged the question of whether the masses who converted were even Christians at all but were living in some double standard where they mixed the things of God with those of the world. The challenges that face the Church in America and other Western countries today are nothing new. A nominal associate with Jesus is no association at all because it places the things He has created as equals in the live of the person. These things may be a loyalty to the State, money, fame, success, comfort or the building of any type of empire.

The second issue of access to the Gospel and judgement. This is often approached as simply a intellectual problem quoting things like 1 Peter 3:15-16 but neglecting the truth of being "made alive by the Spirit" (1 Pet 3:18). The issue of being made alive by the Spirit seems to be the very reason why there is this discussion because those who live by the Spirit and walk according to the Spirit bear the fruit of the Spirit and because they trust God by receiving and obeying the Spirit, they love their neighbor as themselves. I am reminded of our Lord's words to Peter regarding John when Peter had asked, "Lord, what about him?" to which the Lord replied, '"If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?"" (John 21:20-23). Oftentimes we can ask questions to which we have no right for an answer, our responsibility is to do the Will of Father, the works that He predestined for us before the world began.

As I desire to do the Will of the Father spoken to the Son and given by the Holy Spirit, I have to take up my cross to follow Him. In taking up my cross I have to die to the desire to please family, friends and even fellow believers. I have to die to the World. I know that without Christ, I am nothing but when I am dead, then I can move in His life.

As I desire to do the Will of the Father spoken to the Son and given by the Holy Spirit, I have to take up my cross to follow Him. In taking up my cross I have to die to the desire to please family, friends and even fellow believers. I have to die to the World.

Sadly I have found that family, friends, and even professing believers can be the cause of some of the greatest heartaches when it comes to dieing to self and taking up my cross to follow Jesus. Any yet He is worthy of all my devotion.

Thank you for sharing Jeremy and I am glad you were blessed.

God Bless
mj