Dare to be a Christian!
>> Wednesday, May 18, 2011
What is a Christian?
The name was given to the worshippers of Jesus by the Gentiles. It also was a title of honor. It means a FOLLOWER OF CHRIST.
What does it mean to follow
to follow one who precedes, join him as his attendant, accompany him
2) to join one as a disciple, become or be his disciple
a) side with his party
Mt 16:24 ¶ Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
A disciple is one who follows ones ways or teachings
to deny means
a) to affirm that one has no acquaintance or connection with someone
b) to forget one's self, lose sight of one's self and one's own interests
Now, the question is, Who really is a Christian? In todays day an age, almost EVERYONE considers themselves Christians. It has become the universal term to say I’m ok, your ok and we are just like you.
The way I understand the Scriptures, a Christian (which is first mentioned in Acts 11:26, 26:28) is a FOLLOWER OF CHRIST.
To FOLLOW means to join up, accompany, become one who follows his ways and teachings.
Jesus himself said, If ANY man will come after me, let him DENY himself which means to affirm that you have no more acquaintance or connection with anything else and you forget your own self, you lose yourself and your interests.
If Jesus said, Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Coming to the Father means the God of the Universe the One and Only TRUE GOD, Jehovah, if that is who the Father is then how do people from all walks of faith and beliefs call themselves followers of Christ? There is only ONE WAY.
This has nothing to do with tolerance, and everything to do with TRUTH of life and death. One can believe anything they want to, it does not make it TRUE.
Only those who have truly put their trust and faith in Jesus Christ are Followers of Christ, because now they have denied themselves and are being drawn to walk out the ways of Jesus.
Amazingly we can be deceived to believe that going to church, being involved in programs, and giving time and money can make you a Christian, or worse yet, become a better one.
Following Jesus Christ, means taking on all of His Words... Believing they are true and must be followed out. This will be the evidence of the significance of a person’s claim to be a Christian.
Many twist, change, manipulate the Words of Jesus to best suit their needs or current circumstances in order to avoid doing the hard things of which are called to do! Like, asking for forgiveness, restoring relationships, no longer desiring to please your flesh, tell the truth, honor your parents, take care of your temple...
In order to follow, you must leave something behind! That something should be “self” the way I see it. Jesus called Peter out of the boat, in order for him to follow, he left behind his dad, his livelyhood, and the future of what he thougth he was living out. Think about that, that very day, changed his life forever, all of his dreams running the family business, hanging out with the same ole friends the rest of his life was left behind!
Hard as it may be, through the struggles, the lies, the misconstrued way man has created Christianity and Church to be, if we are a true follower of Jesus, we will identify with Him, and there will be enough evidence to convict us in a court of law, if put on trial.
Image bearers are just reflecting the one we are bearing!
So, the next time someone asks you, “What church you belong to, or Whats your faith, or Are you a Christian?” Dare to say, I am a FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST to make it known exactly where you stand and who and what you are following.