Dear Christian Brothers and Sisters are you just carrying the label or are you an authentic Christian?
And what is God’s “living message”? It is the revelation of faith for salvation, which is the message that we preach. For if you publicly declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will experience salvation. The heart that believes in Him receives the gift of the righteousness of God—and then the mouth confesses, resulting in salvation.
Romans 10:9-10 TPT
I am not asking if you an authentic Christian as to check whether you are born-again in that you have recieved Jesus as your Saviour and Lord. I am asking the question after that fact. It is very common to find that many people regard Christianity as another religion, but those of us who have the truth, revelation and the life we know that Christianity is no mere religion. The word Christianity was not carved out from some religious practice.
The reason the name came about can be found in the Bible, and before we have a look in the scriptures, I would like to share these 3 interesting definitions of Christianity that I found during my studies:
Christianity:
1. Belief that there is in Christ, as in no other, from first to last a living incarnation, a flesh and blood embodiment, for salvation of the ever-living spirit of the ever-living God and Father of man, and except that by eating His flesh and drinking His blood, that is, except by participating in His divine-human life, or except in His spirit, there is no assurance of life everlasting to any man;
2. The total meaning of it,” he says, “was, and is, that the God who made earth and its creatures, took, at a certain time upon the earth, the flesh and form of man; in that flesh sustained the pain and died the death of the creature He had made; rose again after death into glorious human life, and when the date of the human race is ended, will return in visible human form, and render to every man according to his work.
3. Christianity is the belief in, and love of, God thus manifested. Anything less than this,” he adds, “the mere acceptance of the sayings of Christ, or assertion of any less than divine power in His Being, may be, for aught I know, enough for virtue, peace, and safety; but they do not make people Christians, or enable them to understand the heart of the simplest believer in the old doctrine.”
The word Christianity metamorphosised from the word Christian, which means to be Christ-like. “in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians” why?
Acts 11:20-27 AMPC
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. The rumors of this came to the ears of the church (assembly) in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw what grace (favor) God was bestowing upon them, he was full of joy; and he continuously exhorted (warned, urged, and encouraged) them all to cleave unto and remain faithful to and devoted to the Lord with [resolute and steady] purpose of heart. For he was a good man [good in himself and also at once for the good and the advantage of other people], full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit and full of faith (of his belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through Whom we obtain eternal salvation). And a large company was added to the Lord. [Barnabas] went on to Tarsus to hunt for Saul. 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. And during these days prophets (inspired teachers and interpreters of the divine will and purpose) came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
The disciples were called Christians because:
1. They were Proclaiming [to people] 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.
2. One of those called a Christian was full of joy; and he continuously exhorted (warned, urged, and encouraged) them all to cleave unto and remain faithful to and devoted to the Lord with [resolute and steady] purpose of heart. He was a good man [good in himself and also at once for the good and the advantage of other people], full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit and full of faith (of his belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through Whom we obtain eternal salvation).
3. For a whole year the disciples called Christians assembled together with and were guests of the church and instructed a large number of people.
And during those days these Christians: prophets (inspired teachers and interpreters of the divine will and purpose) came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
The disciples were called Christians because they Presented Jesus, they Represented Jesus, and they Demonstrated Jesus. They were not Christlike as a false identity nor as a pretense, they were authenticated Christians.
The disciples were not labelled “Christians” because they insisted that that is who or what they were, nor were they called Christians because their father and mother were Christians. Rather what they said and did in the Name of Jesus and for Jesus’ sake reminded many about Jesus. It was as if the people were looking at a true reflection of Jesus. The disciples were a true, complete manifest of Jesus Christ. Thus they were called Christians.
If I were to ask as a general question, are you a Christian? Some would immediately say no or that they have another religion, some would insist that there is no God and many may answer boldly: Yes, I am believer of Christ Jesus. Yet, it may not be a true statement but just a good answer. However, Jesus had said that there is a way to prove those who believe in Him: ‘These attesting signs will accompany those who believe:
Mark 16:15-18 AMPC
And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to every creature [of the whole human race]. He who believes [who adheres to and trusts in and relies on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] and is baptized will be saved [from the penalty of eternal death]; but he who does not believe [who does not adhere to and trust in and rely on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] will be condemned. And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; They will pick up serpents; and [even] if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well.
The person who believes in Christ adheres to and trusts in and relies on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth. The person who believes is baptized into Christ by the Holy Spirit and will be saved [from the penalty of eternal death].
The Attesting signs of highlighting those who believe in Jesus Christ are as follows:
1. In the Name of Jesus they will drive out demons;
2. They will speak in (tongues) new Divinely inspired languages;
3. They will pick up serpents;
4. and [even] if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them;
5. They will lay their hands on the sick, and the sick will get well.
Of these five attestation which one attests you as Beilever?
Another response to the question are you a Christian could be: “Yes, I love Jesus”! Awesome response and indeed one who believes in Jesus Christ ought to love Him. However this is what Jesus had to say to those who confess to loving Him:
“If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you”. – Jesus
John 14:15-17 MSG
“If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you. I will talk to the Father, and he’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can’t take him in because it doesn’t have eyes to see him, doesn’t know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!
Is your love for Christ Jesus demonstrated in your actions. Are you doing all that He has told you to do?
Also in response to the question; are you a Christian? I have heard some respond with: “well I obey God”! I ask would that be a partial or in total obedience? Do you tend to obey man more than you do God? “You yourselves judge which is right in God’s sight — to obey you or to obey God”
Jesus is the one of whom the scripture says: ‘The stone that you the builders despised turned out to be the most important of all.’ Salvation is to be found through him alone; in all the world there is no one else whom God has given who can save us.” The members of the Council were amazed to see how bold Peter and John were and to learn that they were ordinary men of no education. They realized then that they had been companions of Jesus.
Acts 4:11-20 GNB
But there was nothing that they could say, because they saw the man who had been healed standing there with Peter and John. So they told them to leave the Council room, and then they started discussing among themselves. “What shall we do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone in Jerusalem knows that this extraordinary miracle has been performed by them, and we cannot deny it. But to keep this matter from spreading any further among the people, let us warn these men never again to speak to anyone in the name of Jesus.” So they called them back in and told them that on no condition were they to speak or to teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “You yourselves judge which is right in God’s sight — to obey you or to obey God. For we cannot stop speaking of what we ourselves have seen and heard.”
Daniel 3:16-18 MSG
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, “Your threat means nothing to us. If you throw us in the fire, the God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you might cook up, O king. But even if he doesn’t, it wouldn’t make a bit of difference, O king. We still wouldn’t serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”
If you claim to be living in obedience to God. Let me challenge that obedience with these questions:
1. Would you remain obedient to God and not man if and when faced with threats?
2. Can you give the response Peter gave: “You yourselves judge which is right in God’s sight — to obey you or to obey God. For we cannot stop speaking of what we ourselves have seen and heard.”
3. Can you say in your obedience to God to any man; as Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego said: “Your threat means nothing to us. If you throw us in the fire, the God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you might cook up, O king. But even if he doesn’t, it wouldn’t make a bit of difference, O king”.
Dear Beloved in Christ, it is necessary that we go beyond just being a mere label, which is just telling people that we are Christians, and having nothing to show for it nor any substance to back it up. We need to move away from passive Christianity into Christianity in action; letting the world see Christ Jesus alive in our heart and acts. Let it be that everyone we have to deal with henceforth can recognise Christ in us, testify of the grace of God upon us and witness the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us and through us. No more silent Christianity rather let us live out loud “true Christianity” grounded in faith day by day: that the grace of the Divine lifestyle that made the people in Antioch come up with the Divinely inspired name “Christian”; after observing Christlike attributes in the actions the disciples of Christ Jesus…also mark our lives.
“In this world we are like Jesus”. (1 John 4:17 NIV) This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.
2 Corinthians 5:20-21 NIV
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
As Christians we are essentially ambassadors of Jesus Christ: “An ambassador is a person who represents, speaks for, or advertises a particular organization, group of people, activity or brand” – Dictionary definition.
As Christians we represent Jesus Christ, we speak for the Kingdom of God with Divine authority and Power backing us up we evangelise the Gospel of Christ Jesus.
John 8:12 NIV
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Matthew 5:14-16 NIV
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Jesus is the light of the world and we in being Christlike must reflect that light perfectly and shine for Christ.
Amen. Glory be to God!
The Message Bearer
Cornelius Bella
corneliusbella 