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According to the polls, nearly everyone in the United States is a Christian. But in talking with many of these who call themselves "Christian," a discovery has been made — they wear the name without possessing the life. Some typical reasoning for why people refer to themselves as Christian are because I was born American, Uncle Maurice was a minister, or because I keep the Ten Commandments. The designation of Christian has fallen on hard times. I first saw its descent back in the ’70s, when everyone seemed to be a Christian even though they lacked a lifestyle to back their words. Wanting to be polite and not too judgmental, we called them “ClairolÔ Christians”— only God knew for sure! In the ’80s, we were far more mature. We called the really true Christians “born-again.” But biblically speaking, can there really be any other kind? This always seemed redundant. Could one be an unborn again Christian? No. But this adding of a prefix to the sagging term, “Christian,” didn’t help for long. Soon, everyone was “born-again,” from celebrities to cellmates. So popular was this catchy phrase that even companies were said to be “born-again.” I recall a chaplain telling me about a fight breaking out in county jail between two inmates. Both had been incarcerated for serious crimes. Both claimed to be “born-again Christians” and here they were fighting over — doctrine! By the ’90s, the description “born-again Christian” was largely abandoned. Adulterers, the greedy, swindlers, child-molesters, drug addicts and, of course, the everyday garden variety of nice people taking the term to themselves, emptied the word Christian of meaning. Instead, the quest continued for a new name to help identify the authentic Christian from the inauthentic. So who's a true Christian? They’re followers of Jesus Christ. It’s not about what your lips are saying; it’s about what your life is showing. Here's a tried and true rule: Don’t listen to people’s lips, but look at their feet. Are they following the directives of His word? Do they follow the leading of His Spirit? Do their actions remind you of Jesus? And oh, by the way, here are in scripture those popular terms used to describe a Christian: Christian
— is used 3 times The term found in scripture that best describes Christ’s people is “disciple.” A disciple has heard Jesus say, “Follow me.” A disciple is a follower. Many may say “I believe,” or “I’m born-again,” or “I’m a Christian.” But the word disciple cuts to the chase. Do they follow the Lord? Who's a true follower? Are there any distinguishing marks to help us know them? Yes. Jesus says there are three marks attending the lives of His followers or disciples. They are people… 1. Who follow his every word. A disciple is a lifelong student or learner of the Word of God. (See John 8:31.) The disciple is never an expert but has learned to habitually relate to the Lord through the Word of God. 2. Who follow his example of love. Love one another as I have loved you and by this all men will know you are my disciples! (See John 13:34-35.) 3. Who are followed by fruit. Fruit means their life is making a difference in other people’s lives, just like His did. (See John 15:8.)
The word disciple comes from the Greek verb manthano and occurs 25 times in the New Testament. In addition, the noun mathetes is used 264 times in the New Testament. 1. A disciple is someone who comes to Jesus—following, responding, and yielding his or her life to Him. (See Luke 14:26.) 2. Disciples are made not born! Discipleship is a process of learning to follow. (See Matthew 28:19). 3. Who is becoming like you? Luke 6:40 states that when a disciple
is fully trained, he will be like his teacher. Reproduction of this article for resale is strictly prohibited.
NOT FOR RESALE © 2004 by Tom Gaddis
Download or print our PDF form of this Devotion: Christian.pdf 102kbs
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