Reference Scripture: Matthew 7:21-2
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’…”
Definitions:
Christian:
Merriam Webster: One who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ
Authentic:
Of undisputed origin; genuine: "authentic 14th-century furniture"
Made or done in the traditional or original way: "authentic Italian meals"
Synonyms: genuine - true - real - veritable - original
The concept of Christianity is one that has become seemingly confusing in the recent past. So many people find it difficult to substantiate what it really means to be a Christian. It is not uncommon to note that all over the world people have adopted their own notions of what they really claim to be true Christian living. Such notions arouse so many questions among unbelievers, making it rather difficult for them to come to terms with what is expected of them in the event that they choose to follow the way that is presented to them from different quarters.
Such questions may include:
i. If indeed Christianity is about one person, how come we have so many denominations all over the world, all having different belief systems?
ii. Why do we have so many scandals rocking the Church, yet if anything, that is expected to be the place of perfection?
iii. Why is it that those people we expect to show us the direction are the same people who mislead us, in fact, we seem to know more than them?
iv. Why do good things happen to bad people?
These are some of the myriads of other questions that any unbeliever will have regarding Christianity. In my honest opinion, even though some of these questions may not have direct answers, it is also important for us to note that, to some extent, The Salt has lost its saltiness. We have so many Christians out there who do not real themselves with things as they are on the ground regarding Christianity.
Indicators of an authentic Christian
1. Believes in the person and teachings of Jesus Christ
Living as Christ did and believing in His Word
John 3:16, John 1:1, 1John 2:6
2. Must live a life of total surrender to Jesus Christ (Humility is essential)
Acts 9 (Saul’s conversion), John 13 (Jesus washes disciples feet),
a. Must be able to come to a point of admitting his inability and acknowledge his sufficiency in Christ alone as guided by the Holy Spirit
b. We are out to please God, and no other people or ourselves. He is more interested in the state of our heart than our outward appearance
3. Must love other Christians as well as potential Christians
We are constantly reminded in scripture to have the attitude of Christ
Love is the foundation of every single thing that was portrayed in Christ’s attitude towards us
God Himself is love, and it is thus expected of us to show love to others.
We will never get the opportunity to win souls to Christ and keep them in Christ, if we are not able to portray the love that we claim to have.
4. Should be a regular reader of God’s word
Deuteronomy 8:3
“So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.
Many Christians live malnourished Christian lives because they haven’t come to the realization that the Word is a significant facet of their Christian wellbeing
Note that it is possible to survive if you are not eating healthy, and this is a guaranteed risk factor to your health and general wellbeing
The bible to some is just but a book to be opened by the preacher on Sunday, after which it is closed, awaiting the next Sunday
Why study the Word?
1. It is life (Eternal life) (John 6:63, 68-69)
2. It helps us build our faith in God and express our genuine belief in Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:6, Romans 10:11,14,17)
3. It makes us wise (Psalms 19:7, 2Timothy 3:15)
4. It brings about spiritual growth (1 Peter 2:2)
5. It shapes us to adeptly fit in God’s purpose (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
In essence, God’s word is our standard of life as Christians.
5. Must be willing to share in the suffering of Christ and own the cost of being a disciple
1 Peter 4:16, Hebrews 12:1-4, Luke 14:25-35
The reason why we lose so many Christians is because in our quest to win souls we pamper them with a promise of beds of roses in the event that they get saved
It is a high time we came to a point of getting real with the situation and made it plain to God’s people that Christianity is not just about this life, but more of the glorious life which is to come
One who calls himself a Christian should be willing to undergo persecution, and tribulation… having the assurance that it is well with their soul
6. Christians also ought to be prayerful and have faith
James 5:16b
Prayer is the only known weapon that a Christian may have
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’…”
Definitions:
Christian:
Merriam Webster: One who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ
Authentic:
Of undisputed origin; genuine: "authentic 14th-century furniture"
Made or done in the traditional or original way: "authentic Italian meals"
Synonyms: genuine - true - real - veritable - original
The concept of Christianity is one that has become seemingly confusing in the recent past. So many people find it difficult to substantiate what it really means to be a Christian. It is not uncommon to note that all over the world people have adopted their own notions of what they really claim to be true Christian living. Such notions arouse so many questions among unbelievers, making it rather difficult for them to come to terms with what is expected of them in the event that they choose to follow the way that is presented to them from different quarters.
Such questions may include:
i. If indeed Christianity is about one person, how come we have so many denominations all over the world, all having different belief systems?
ii. Why do we have so many scandals rocking the Church, yet if anything, that is expected to be the place of perfection?
iii. Why is it that those people we expect to show us the direction are the same people who mislead us, in fact, we seem to know more than them?
iv. Why do good things happen to bad people?
These are some of the myriads of other questions that any unbeliever will have regarding Christianity. In my honest opinion, even though some of these questions may not have direct answers, it is also important for us to note that, to some extent, The Salt has lost its saltiness. We have so many Christians out there who do not real themselves with things as they are on the ground regarding Christianity.
Indicators of an authentic Christian
1. Believes in the person and teachings of Jesus Christ
Living as Christ did and believing in His Word
John 3:16, John 1:1, 1John 2:6
2. Must live a life of total surrender to Jesus Christ (Humility is essential)
Acts 9 (Saul’s conversion), John 13 (Jesus washes disciples feet),
a. Must be able to come to a point of admitting his inability and acknowledge his sufficiency in Christ alone as guided by the Holy Spirit
b. We are out to please God, and no other people or ourselves. He is more interested in the state of our heart than our outward appearance
3. Must love other Christians as well as potential Christians
We are constantly reminded in scripture to have the attitude of Christ
Love is the foundation of every single thing that was portrayed in Christ’s attitude towards us
God Himself is love, and it is thus expected of us to show love to others.
We will never get the opportunity to win souls to Christ and keep them in Christ, if we are not able to portray the love that we claim to have.
4. Should be a regular reader of God’s word
Deuteronomy 8:3
“So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.
Many Christians live malnourished Christian lives because they haven’t come to the realization that the Word is a significant facet of their Christian wellbeing
Note that it is possible to survive if you are not eating healthy, and this is a guaranteed risk factor to your health and general wellbeing
The bible to some is just but a book to be opened by the preacher on Sunday, after which it is closed, awaiting the next Sunday
Why study the Word?
1. It is life (Eternal life) (John 6:63, 68-69)
2. It helps us build our faith in God and express our genuine belief in Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:6, Romans 10:11,14,17)
3. It makes us wise (Psalms 19:7, 2Timothy 3:15)
4. It brings about spiritual growth (1 Peter 2:2)
5. It shapes us to adeptly fit in God’s purpose (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
In essence, God’s word is our standard of life as Christians.
5. Must be willing to share in the suffering of Christ and own the cost of being a disciple
1 Peter 4:16, Hebrews 12:1-4, Luke 14:25-35
The reason why we lose so many Christians is because in our quest to win souls we pamper them with a promise of beds of roses in the event that they get saved
It is a high time we came to a point of getting real with the situation and made it plain to God’s people that Christianity is not just about this life, but more of the glorious life which is to come
One who calls himself a Christian should be willing to undergo persecution, and tribulation… having the assurance that it is well with their soul
6. Christians also ought to be prayerful and have faith
James 5:16b
Prayer is the only known weapon that a Christian may have
Sunday 5th May 2013, King Jesus Faith Church, Mayanja
