Too often, people consider the label on something to be more important than the contents/item. The religious label you wear is not more important than the life-changing transformation Jesus Christ gives you. Are you a Christian?

by Rev. Jack Richards on December 25, 2020

SCRIPTURE

It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. and this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you’ve heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.… anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teachings of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the father and the son.” 2 John 4-6 and 9

SPOTLIGHT

For more than 20 years, I pastored a church that was named, “Christian Life Center.” That name communicates a very strong message to the public. Allow me to explain.

I cannot forget the time when the public-school system of Springfield Massachusetts, wanted to use our facilities for five months. In the middle of the year a school building was condemned, so the Sage School relocated to our youth chapel. What was unique about this particular school was that it educated 65 young people who had significant behavioral challenges, or had a criminal record.

When the students discovered their new location in February 2005, one student said to the principal, “I can’t come to school in a church!” The principal responded, “Why not?” The young men responded, “I’m not a Christian!” The principal asked, “Well, what are you?” The young man said, “I’m a Baptist!” The student did not know the real meaning of either term. Someone had told him he was a Baptist, but he really did not know what that meant because he understood it to mean he was not a Christian.

Too often, people consider the label on something to be more important than the contents/item. Take for example, a can of soup. There is a label on the can, and then the contents inside which tells you what you are really getting. Some people would only buy “Campbell’s” soup regardless of the contents. If they wanted tomato soup, and it did not have a “Campbell’s” label, they would not buy it. Likewise, some people believe the religious label is more important than the content /character of a person. For many, it is more important to be a Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Episcopal or Pentecostal, then a born-again Christian. I’ve heard people say, “I was born a Catholic, and I’ll die a Catholic” but what about being Christ-like? The religious label describes the group you identify with, but the term “Christian” identifies the relationship you have with Jesus Christ. It is much like a can of soup.

Who is a Christian? What is a Christian? Acts 11:26 states, “… the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. 1 Peter 4:16 states, “However if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.” The Apostle John was very clear in helping us to understand the term “Christian.” Just read the Scripture verses for today in the section above. John emphasizes that a Christian is someone who “walks in the truth.” Jesus Christ had said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” [John 14:6]. John goes on to clearly define that a Christian who is walking in the truth will:

#1. Express God’s love to others. Walking in love is the way a Christian expresses his/her worship and obedience to God.

#2. Always accept, and live by Christ’s teachings. This will mean he/she will acknowledge, and follow Jesus Christ as the Savior and Lord of his/her life.

By the time Paul the Apostle stood before King Agrippa, the term Christian was not a label, but a way of describing a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ, the living God. [Acts 26:23]. Paul confidently testified to him about his personal conversion. Then he invited him to become a Christian. [Acts 26:20]. Agrippa was being greatly convicted by the Holy Spirit to repent and place his faith in Jesus Christ. He said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” [Acts 26:28].

The religious label you wear is not more important than the life-changing transformation Jesus Christ gives you. Are you a Christian? The Bible says, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” [Acts 4:12].

Your church or religious denomination cannot save you. Only Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.

SOMETHING TO DO

Here’s how you can determine if you are a Christian. Follow the ABC’s:

Admit you are a sinner. [See 1 John 1:8].

Believe Jesus Christ is the living God Who died on the cross for your sins. [See John 1:12].

Confess in a prayer to Jesus Christ your desire to be forgiven of your sin. [See 1 John 1:9].

Decide to live your life to please Jesus. [See Luke 9:23].


SOUL TIME PRAYER

Pray the ABCD prayer! Now contact us at the church to let us know about the most important decision you have ever made, and the most important prayer you have ever prayed.

 

Tags: god, christian, new testament, religion, denomination, labels


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