I came across a post (on Facebook) some time ago that I noticed that people I knew were liking and it gave me concerns. Amongst those liking this post were also pastors.
The post read: “Be like Jesus and not like ur pastor or ‘christians'”
I had a burden in my spirit to respond with the following:
To be like Jesus you need to be sure you know Jesus. When you know Jesus in truth (Word), in Spirit and Fellowship… you are able to discern and judge the true patterning of Jesus from the false
Philippians 4:9 KJV
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Ultimately through being born-again and baptism of the Holy Spirit and in the fulfilment of our divine purposes…Jesus should be our pattern. And there are those called with the divine call whose purpose is for your and my edification.
Ephesians 4:11-12 King James Version (KJV)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
They have a role to play, one which one must never underestimate. Under the auspices of your local church they bring you into a major aspect of your linkage to to Christ Jesus the Head of the Church that you cannot come into yourself. They are also to model Christ to us.
You don’t get to know Jesus or become like Jesus out of the blues. Even those who had been with Him missed it at a stage…it is a process…from day to day, deeper and deeper fellowship with Him. The Holy Spirit reveals who Jesus really is to us.
John 14:8-10 AMP
8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father and then we will be satisfied.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time, and you do not know Me yet, Philip, nor recognize clearly who I am? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father?’ 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you I do not say on My own initiative or authority, but the Father, abiding continually in Me, does His works [His attesting miracles and acts of power].
Do you really and truly know Jesus. Settle that first. Then you are able to recognize Him and relate correctly with those who also by the fruits of their life demonstrate that they know Him.
You will fully recognize them by their fruits. Do people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? Even so, every healthy (sound) tree bears good fruit [worthy of admiration], but the sickly (decaying, worthless) tree bears bad (worthless) fruit. A good (healthy) tree cannot bear bad (worthless) fruit, nor can a bad (diseased) tree bear excellent fruit [worthy of admiration]. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. Therefore, you will fully know them by their fruits.
Matthew 7:16-20 AMPC
Being a ‘Christian’ is not to be a word or meaning to dragged in the mud because of those that make an emptiness and a ridicule of it. Rather let those of us who have taken a stand for Jesus…exemplify the origin of the identity “Christian” …and be indeed christ-like.
But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on returning to Antioch spoke to the Greeks also, proclaiming [to them] the good news (the Gospel) about the Lord Jesus. And the presence of the Lord was with them with power, so that a great number [learned] to believe (to adhere to and trust in and rely on the Lord) and turned and surrendered themselves to Him. And when he had found him, he brought him back to Antioch. For a whole year they assembled together with and were guests of the church and instructed a large number of people; and in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
Acts 11:20-21, 26 AMPC
If anyone who claims this identity and does not exemplify Jesus Christ then stop calling such a Christian. If a cat says it is a dog, does that qualify the cat to be a dog?
There are statements that have been coined by some people that seem pleasing to the eye and mind: such as this one, but is not entirely true and ultimately not safe for everyone. Rather than just clicking share let’s do well to clarify what we mean: that we may bring understanding rather than confusion unto many.
Are you born-again? Do you want to develop a personal relationship, have unshakeable evidence of who Jesus is and wear the Christian identity joyfully?
It starts with you accepting Jesus as your Saviour and Lord.
It is true that there is no other name given to man by which they can be saved but “Jesus”.
…there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among people by which we must be saved [for God has provided the world no alternative for salvation].”
ACTS 4:12 AMP
Salvation through Christ Jesus is free but you must make the decision to recieve it.
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 NLT
“…if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation”.
Romans 10:9-10 KJV
Now Pray this prayer meaningfully if you are willing: “Lord Jesus, for too long I’ve kept you out of my life. I know that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. No longer will I close the door when I hear you knocking. By faith I gratefully receive your gift of salvation. I am ready to trust you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming to earth. I believe you are the Son of God who died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead on the third day. Thank you for bearing my sins and giving me the gift of eternal life. I believe your words are true. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, and be my Saviour. Amen”.
Congratulations if you’ve just said that prayer and I joyously welcome you to the higher life in Christ Jesus. You are now on the path of your divine destiny and your God given dreams are very possible.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV
If you do not have a bible believing Church that you know God brought you into, and that you are faithfully attending then please join us today at http://www.lifeoasisinternationalchurch.org
Do well to complete the first-timers form on the pop-up screen and an ordained minister will get in touch with you ASAP.
There is so much more about life for a child of God, there is so much more that the Spirit of God will yet reveal to you.
Glory be to God!
The Message Bearer
Cornelius Bella
corneliusbella 