A Christian
Today's reading comes from Acts 11. The Gospel is now beginning to spread to the uttermost parts of the world. Early on in the chapter Peter was called to the carpet for sharing the Gospel with Cornelius (v.2). Peter then rehashes the story and basically says, "Hey guys, this wasn't my idea. God did it. You'll have to take that up with God." And then by (v.18), the Jews finally got it. The light finally came on. It finally sank in. They finally realized that the Gospel was indeed to be preached to the entire world. Verse 19-22ff shows the continual spread of the Gospel. Men of Cyprus and Cyrene went to Antioch and prepared the way for Paul's work there. And by the time you reach v.29, we see strong churches that are now reaching back and helping the churches where it all began--in Judea.
One verse to focus on is v.26. "...the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch." What does Christian mean? It means one that abides in, dwells in, and lives in Christ. If you are a Floridian, that means you dwell in Florida. If you are a Georgian, that means you dwell in Georgia. If you are a Christian, that means you dwell in Christ. You live in Christ ALL the time, just like a Georgian lives in Georgia all the time. A Christian is not someone who just comes to church on Sunday. A Christian is someone who lives in Christ 24/7. Jesus said in John 15, 'Abide in Me' 'I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." John 15:5. What does that mean? It means if you don't live in Christ, you are not a Christian, regardless of how many services you attend. A Christians doesn't simply attend; he abides. He abides in Christ. The term Christian doesn't need labels, adjectives or modifiers. I hear people say, "He's a good Christian", as if one could be a Christian and not good. Some say, "He's a dedicated Christian", as if one can be a Christian and not dedicated. Or, "He's a born again Christian", as if one could be a Christian and not born again. Oh my friends, if you are a Christian, you are a Christian. You live in Christ and bear fruit and the world will know. If there is no fruit, then maybe you try to hang labels on to help like these above. But Jesus says that won't help. Because if you bear no fruit, then you're not abiding in Him; thus you'll be cast into the fire. Plain and simple. Either one is a Christian or not. Which one are you?
One verse to focus on is v.26. "...the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch." What does Christian mean? It means one that abides in, dwells in, and lives in Christ. If you are a Floridian, that means you dwell in Florida. If you are a Georgian, that means you dwell in Georgia. If you are a Christian, that means you dwell in Christ. You live in Christ ALL the time, just like a Georgian lives in Georgia all the time. A Christian is not someone who just comes to church on Sunday. A Christian is someone who lives in Christ 24/7. Jesus said in John 15, 'Abide in Me' 'I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." John 15:5. What does that mean? It means if you don't live in Christ, you are not a Christian, regardless of how many services you attend. A Christians doesn't simply attend; he abides. He abides in Christ. The term Christian doesn't need labels, adjectives or modifiers. I hear people say, "He's a good Christian", as if one could be a Christian and not good. Some say, "He's a dedicated Christian", as if one can be a Christian and not dedicated. Or, "He's a born again Christian", as if one could be a Christian and not born again. Oh my friends, if you are a Christian, you are a Christian. You live in Christ and bear fruit and the world will know. If there is no fruit, then maybe you try to hang labels on to help like these above. But Jesus says that won't help. Because if you bear no fruit, then you're not abiding in Him; thus you'll be cast into the fire. Plain and simple. Either one is a Christian or not. Which one are you?
posted by Royce Hendry at
6:35 AM
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