WHAT IS CHRISTIAN

WHAT IS CHRISTIAN?    10/5/19

Today we have many shades of what folks and churches think is “Christian?”   Actually the name Christian is rather pointed in that direction.  In Antioch the city dwellers called the follower’s of the “WAY” ( Christian ) as derisive and demeaning as it means to be a slave of Christ.  But in truth it was a valid reality so the believers kept it. 

To be a disciple of Christ Jesus means to be under the discipline of Christ Jesus.  It is not up for grabs to be anything that we want it to be or do.  Discipleship comes from and through Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit and it is not man made it is GOD made.  The LORD’S teachings are very clear as to what HE wants us to become in HIM.  So what were HIS commandments in general for our discipleship?  The New Testament is full of our LORD’s COMMANDMENTS…   So here is a good starter………

The LORD’s basic and primary concern was that the GOOD NEWS, The GOSPEL would be carried to the ends of the earth so that any who wanted to be saved would know how to be saved.  This commission was given to every Christian disciple who was born from above,  every convert.  Matt. 28:20  “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…” For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;  4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.  5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;  1 Tim. 2:3-5.  Jesus also taught:   18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; John 17:18-20.  Some have been taught that it is only the responsibility of the ministers to share the Gospel.  This is true in part,  but the sheep basically are called to birth the lambs into HIS Kingdom.  If a so called christian has no concern for winning souls into the Kingdom of God I am really concerned about their foundations???  They really don’t understand the final gravity of eternity concerning heaven and hell or the Gospel.   The wages of sin is death,  the gift of GOD is Eternal Life through Christ Jesus.  Are you sharing this Truth or not?  Most folks don’t go to church and most churches are preaching a social gospel of their own concoction.

Next on God’s list to learn is HUMILITY.   
James simply says it this way:
  “…
God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.  James 4:6   Peter puts it this way:  Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble,  1 Pet.5:5.   Paul ever prophesies about our day:  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;   Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

And of course there is the issue of learning OBEDIENCE.
Obedience results in unity (John 17)  Disobedience results in division.  Of course we are concerned with GOD’s foundational truth’s here.  In the ideal world, division, is a wonderful opportunity in humility and love to find more of GOD’s Truth.   But in pride there is always division and therefore we have thousands of denominations of different churches all telling us that they have the perfect way to Christ Jesus.   Paul shares that God is ready to revenge all disobedience, when our obedience is fulfilled,  2 Cor. 10:6  also in 2 Cor.10:5 we are advised:  “
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ,”   Even Jesus had a school in obedience: “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered,”  Heb.5:8.  And our Creator God is not going to allow us into HIS ETERNAL KINGDOM until we have truly learned obedience.  He is not going to allow us to mess up HIS home as we have this planet.  If you are not in a place of learning obedience than your spiritual education is unbalanced.

And again the New Testament if filled with the commandments of Christ Jesus and HIS Apostles.  In Matt. 15:9 & Mark7:7 Jesus tells us to watch out for the commandments of men.  Jesus tells us that 9 of the BIG 10 are still on line and if we love HIM we will also keep HIS commandments,  John 14:21  And that if we want to abide in HIS love that we should find and keep HIS commandments John 15:10  Paul taught that the way that we know that we know HIM (Jesus) is by keeping HIS commandments 1 John 2:3 and if we don’t know and keep HIS commandments that we are lying about being a Christian.  1 John 2:4.  “And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.”  1 John 3:24.  Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.  2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous,”  1 John 5:1-3.

So if you know and are keeping the Commandments that Christ Jesus gave us you are doing great.  Otherwise ?????????   It is faith that saves us but faith without works or results,  it is dead or has no power to save.  James 2:17, 2:20, 2:26.

Yours in HIS great LOVE and wonderful grace and mercy,   Ken<><

Had a great time last night here at our little house church.  Lots of love and good food.  Hope to see you next Friday at 6 for PotBlessing and Fellowship.

Past issues of “Worth Considering” are available with a link on our Home Page at www.Trinity-Aloha.org

There is but one Church of Christ Jesus and all who truly love and obey Jesus are members.

 

  

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