Authentic Christian
~His Grace is Sufficient~
Because of Jesus we have an eternal inheritance.
* “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9
What Makes for an “Authentic” Christian?
Five earmarks of authentic Christianity, taken from 1 John.
*First, an authentic Christian confesses Jesus Christ as Lord (1 John 4:15). Christianity must begin with a verbal acknowledgment of Jesus Christ as the Lord of your life. The Bible says that even the demons believe and tremble (James 2:19).
True Christians should be able to say that Jesus Christ is their Lord.
*Second, if you are a true Christian, you will be unhappy or miserable when you’re sinning (1 John 3:9).
This doesn’t mean you will never sin if you are a Christian (1 John 1:8).
But there is a difference between recognizing that we will fail in some way, shape, or form in the future and going on a willful, continual track of sin.
If you really are a child of God, you will have a sense of discomfort when you sin, because you know in your heart of hearts that what you are doing is wrong.
*Third, an authentic Christian enjoys fellowship with other believers (1 John 5:1).
A true Christian will want to be around other Christians. Those who isolate themselves from other believers do so at their own peril, because the Bible tells us that it is important to get together, encourage one another, and correct one another (Hebrews 10:24-25).
After all, why should God go to your house if you won’t go to His? A lot of us want all of the fringe benefits of Christianity without applying ourselves.
*Fourth, an authentic Christian obeys the commands of Jesus Christ. If you are a true believer, then you will obey the commands of Jesus Christ (1 John 5:3).
I will not deny that the Bible is filled with so-called rules, but their purpose is not to make our lives miserable. Rather, they protect us from potential harm. The person who blatantly and continually breaks the commandments of God simply does not know Him.
5. An authentic Christian loves and obeys the Word of God (
1 John 2:5).
You cannot effectively live the Christian life without a love for, and obedience to, God’s Word.
All true disciples of Jesus Christ will be students of Scripture and will walk according to its teaching.
This is vital to authentic Christian living, because the Bible is indeed the very textbook of life (2 Timothy 3:16).
Yet so many believers will not read the Bible.
**They don’t realize that success or failure in the Christian life depends on how much of the Bible they get into their hearts and minds on a regular basis.
We have to do it!!!
God brings every person who is committed to Him out of their normal routine into a new revelation of Himself that impacts others.
Is the move of God so evident in your life that it invites scrutiny from friends or coworkers?
Jesus confronted the issues of His day without fear of being rejected.
A life of obedience will be an affront to the systems of this world. When God begins His deeper work in you, it will be a stumbling block to those around you.
When you are rejected for Christ, consider that Christ is affirming His call on your life and you are becoming a threat to the kingdom of darkness.
How many of satan’s workers do you suppose have been assigned to thwart God’s activity in your life?
Those who sit in a pew from week to week and NEVER speak the name of Christ in the workplace require few opponents because they represent no threat to the kingdom of darkness.
How are you impacting the kingdom of darkness? (Read 1JN 1:5-10)
God has called you and me to impact the lives around us for His Kingdom. Your words may be an affront to those around you; do not fear this. God will use your words and life to draw others to Himself.
*You are His ambassador in the workplace.
*He has placed you there for this time to extend life to those who live in darkness.
Beloved, in your point of desperation, hold on to your faith and seek the Lord’s face. God is not far from you, and God knows the details of your struggle. God’s ears are not dull of hearing, nor is His arm to short to bring deliverance. You are the Lord’s own special treasure, and He IS vitally interested in every phase of your existence. It is the Lord’s will for you to overcome and succeed. Trust Him to help you in your times of need.
Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Father, increase my love for, and obedience to, Your Word. Help me be a true disciples of Jesus Christ and be. A better student of Scripture and walk according to Your teaching to live the life of an authentic Christian!
In Jesus Name, Amen