WHO ME?? Identity Crisis …B.U.G.S.
Let’s take a look at this issue without bias or sense of defending our case to call ourselves CHRISTIANS.
It feels good to be called a Christian in today’s world but what does that really mean? Yes, the word CHRISTIAN is mentioned in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16) The followers of Jesus were called Christians in Antioch. The word “CHRISTIAN” means “belonging to the party of Christ” or simply put a “Follower of Jesus”.
As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, there is a deeper and more profound meaning that we must convey to the world. We are the “light of the world”. We are examples of a Christ-driven life according to God’s Word. We are the ones that should show the world the true meaning of “GODS LOVE”!
Consider implications the word CHRISTIAN would have using the meanings stated above. We see that CHRISTIANS must follow and they must belong to what they are following. Are we simply followers of the crowd or do we take on the act of belonging in every sense of the word? You must understand that the meaning used in the above paragraphs implicates that these people were drawn to Christ Jesus with a heartfelt need to belong and experience what Jesus taught. They were awed by the teachings of Jesus and wanted more.
If we take this and put it in today’s idea of a Christian, one may be a little confused. Is it a social club? The thing we do to feel that we belong? Sort of like the “I BELONG TOO” syndrome!!
Being a CHRISTIAN may be the idea that I go to church every Sunday (I do my part). Attending church, donating to the church, or even being a member of the church does not in any way make you a CHRISTIAN according to the Word of God. We mustn’t be fooled by the idea of belonging and forget the necessary requirements to be a true Christian.
For the sake of this article, let’s remember that a true believer reflects God in their life and grow daily by putting in place the things taught in the Word of God.
Good works can’t make us a follower of Christ. Don’t Be Confused!! A true follower of Christ must first believe that He (God) is the SAVIOR and TRUST Him. They must believe the penalty of sin (Death) was paid so they would be free to serve Him. His mercy and grace gave the opportunity to live again. We are born of the water and spirit so that our walk with Christ is one of faith through grace. We must trust, live Godly and obey Christ to be true CHRISTIANS, True Believers!!
Romans 8:9 states…”You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact, the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.“
This is what makes it possible to serve God! We must have and allow His Spirit (Holy Spirit) to live within us.
Somewhere we (CHRISTIANS) have gotten off track to the purpose Christ has in mind for us. This life is not a pretense of what we want or can get but it is living as a true believer (Christ-like). A true believer lives just what the term implies…they believe in Jesus Christ and live daily by the standards of the Word of God. It’s not your standard but it’s Christ’s.
We should be a walking light and testimony that fully acknowledges the existence of Christ in your life. Pretending to be a true believer is not the way to get to heaven! There are no rewards waiting for you! So let’s stop pretending and Live the Life!!
All of this causes confusion when the world can’t see the difference. When there is no change in our lives for Christ, how can others see what Christ has done to transform our lives? This is another one of those B.U.G.S. Surely Satan is elated to have us pretending to follow Christ!! The illusion that we are doing God’s will in our lives when we are far from it will eventually catch up to us and surely destroy that light we should be reflecting.
We don’t act as we believe!
We don’t live like God is our pilot!
We don’t acknowledge our personal experience with others about Christ!
We don’t show any evidence of having a new Christ-like mind!
We don’t show that Christ is Alive through us!
Anyone would be confused….wouldn’t you? We should take on the responsibility of not confusing others with our inconsistent living.
A Christian shows God’s workmanship. It is not an idea or concept that we casually think about. When we take on being a CHRISTIAN, we must be a born again believer in Christ and Spirit-filled. This is not a club or habit!! This is a lifestyle that expresses the workmanship of Christ in our lives.
Ephesians 2:10 states, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.“
We should be walking testimonies of Christ if we are going to be called CHRISTIANS. We are commanded to tell others about Christ. Let’s not allow our raggedy or inconsistent lives to reflect what Jesus is about. Live so God can use you!! Draw in the confusion that the world has by being that true testament of Christ.
Let’s concentrate on the true meaning of following Christ, sharing, loving, testifying and living as true worshippers.
Let’s do good works to the glory of God.
Make yourself a living witness and Christ-like being today…no pretense, no false witnessing!! Let God be God in YOU!!!
If you have gotten even a glimmer of encouragement from this article, please comment below…your comments are important. #ChristIsAliveInMe”
Always remember, God offers us room to correct bad behavior !!!
Thank you for your continued support…these articles were meant to bring light to some of the B.U.G.S. that we must pay attention to around us. B.U.G.S. that have and will continue to cause damage if we don’t get rid of them!!!
Prayerfully Submitted (An Unfinished Story)
Evang. Debbie Watkins
Disclaimer* These posts are no in any way posted based on expert input. My expertise comes from LIVING LIFE in the CHURCH. Please read with an open mind, attitude, and heart. Thank you.
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