Towing the Line of a True Christian - Part 2

This is the heart of the matter. The pity is that true Christians are hard to find nowadays. We live in a world where different churches, teaching and doctrines are springing up here and there, and everywhere. But any church that does not have a sound Biblical foundation cannot produce true Christians. As Jesus in Luke 19:46 says:

“My house is a house of prayers, but you have made it a den of thieves”

Jesus breaks this down further in Matthew chapter 7. see v21:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter”.

So Who or what we say is a true Christian?

“A true Christian is a person who has put his or her faith and trust in the person of Jesus Christ and the fact that He died on the cross as payment for sins and rose again on the third day to obtain victory over death and to give eternal life to all who believe in Him. John 1:12 tells us: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” A true Christian is indeed a child of God, a part of God’s true family, and one who has been given new life in Christ. The mark of a true Christian is love for others and obedience to God’s Word (1 John 2:4; 1 John 2:10)”. Courtesy http://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-a-Christian.html

I say, A True Christian must: v Believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour and as the Son of God. Be like Christ and adhere to His teachings. Repent of all sinsv Obey the 10 Commandments & the 2 great commandments – Matthew 21:29-31v Have faith and absolute trust in Jesus alone, not religion, rites or doctrines.v Not turn to material gains, rituals, witchcraft, adulatory, Satanism and atheism.v Not just be born into a church or be a regular church goer (Titus 3:5), but be a true Born Again (Regenerated) follower of Christ – John 3:3:

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see thekingdom of
God.”

For theKingdom of God is the GOAL for a true Christian.

PHILLIPIANS 1: 27 – 30 tells us what the Biblical requirements of a true Christian are:V27 – Conduct yourself in a worthy mannerV27 – Stand firm in one spiritV27 – Contend as one for the faith of the gospelV28 – Do not be frightened of oppositionV29 –Suffer for Jesus Christ. Many of us tend to condemn ourselves and believe that we cannot be regenerated, hence the crucial question –
CAN I., A BIG SINNER, BE BORN AGAIN? The answer is a definite YES. Isaiah 1: 18-20 is our voice of hope for it tells us:

“ “ Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “ Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword”; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

This is further buttressed in Matthew 21: 28 – 32.( v31b) reads:

“Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter thekingdom of God before you.”

All you need to do is BELIEVE that there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. The sinner woman of
Samaria was not condemned by Jesus; instead she was given a chance to repent and became the first female Evangelist for Christ (John 4: 7-29).

To be born again and enter into theKingdom of Heaven, Jesus stipulates that we must be born first of water and then of fire (the Spirit) – John 3:5. Meaning if we are in Christ we must first have the Water Baptism, then followed by Fire Baptism of the Holy Ghost.

These 2 things are enough to make you and I develop a personal relationship with God as true Christians:1. LOVE OF OTHERS – 1 John 2:10:

“He who loves his brother abides in the light; there is no cause for stumbling in him.”

2. OBEDIENCE TO GOD – 1 John 2;4:

“He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him”

Magil, (2003) gives us the 10 MARKS OF A TRUE CHRISTIAN

A True Christian:

1. Believes that Jesus is Lord – Romans 10:9, Phil 2:112. Accepts the Bible as the final Counsel of God – Jude 3:2, 1 Corinthians 10:53. Knows and understands the essentials of faith.4. Is disturbed by sin in the church – Hebrew 1:95. Is distressed by false teachings and false prophesy in the church – Matthew 24:10-14.6. Always tests what they hear and do against the Word of God – 1 Thess 5:21, 7. Shows Agape love consciously – 1 John 4:88. Fears God and holds Him in reverence and awe – Proverbs 1:7, Psalm 111:109. Evangelises i.e. spreads the Gospel of the Kingdom – Matthew 28:10, Rev 14:610. Applies a Christian world view at all times. Now again we are offered another opportunity to search our hearts and minds. What are you? A true Christian or a hypocritical religious deceiver? – Mark 13:22:

“For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect”.

In other words, are you a sheep or a goat Christian: (see Matthew 25:31-46. v33

“And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left”

We must from now on, turn a new leaf and tow the line of a True Christian. And finally please note that the best and fastest way to deal with the devil is to please God – James 4:8:

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

Our God is wonderfully able to deliver, protect, provide for, save and redeem us all. Proverbs 16:7:

“When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him”.

ONLY TRUST AND OBEY and welcome to a new Regenerated Christian life. SHALOM.

By Evangelist Adekunbi Akin-Taylor.