Definition of a
Christian:
A Christian is one who is a disciple and a disciple is one who is a follower—of Jesus;)
When one wants to define a Christian and they look at those who simply call themselves “Christians” they often scratch their heads (especially here in Ghana.. maybe in the US too.) It is most needful therefore that one looks back at the disciples themselves and of course what Jesus commanded of those who will follow him.
A Christian is therefore one who..:
..has the privilege of carrying around self on a cross. (Matt 6:24, Mark 8:34, Lk 14:27.)
..will not ever lend, but when asked (by his enemies,) will simply give—expecting nothing in return. (Lk 6:35.)
..will sell all that he has and distribute to the poor, (Lk 18:22,) or at least half, (Lk 19:8.)
..will take in strangers into their home, cloth the naked, visit the sick and those in prison because they see Jesus in each one. (Failure to perform these duties has a very unpleasant end for those goats, Matt 25:46;)
..will throw parties inviting not their friends but the poor, lame, and blind. (Luke 14:13.)
(The disciple will do so because he would want to get to know those who he will be spending eternity with, Matt 14:21-23.)
--and will have a party when one sinner repents. (Lk 15:6.)
..instead of enforcing a death sentence on the justly condemned will forgive. (John 8:7.)
..loves Jesus more than family. (Matt 10:37.) --and has a very big family! (Mark 3:34-35, Matt 12:50.)
..will heal sick, cleanse lepers, raise the dead, (possibly their won friends, Jn 11:43,) and cast out demons. (Matt 10:8, Mark 3:15, 6:7, Lk 9:1.)
..will share a meal often with tax collectors, sinners and prostitutes to the extent that religious people will reject them as sinners themselves. (Matt 11:19.)
..will forgive any sin or personal offence at most 490 times and at least as many times as Jesus has forgiven him. (Matt 18:35.)
..from time to time will cleanse religious buildings of men making merchandise instead of praying. (Matt 21:12-13.) (Warning: using a whip may get you killed.)
..when slapped on the cheek will graciously turn the other. (Matt 5:39.)
..will fast. (Matt 6:17.)
..will not lay up treasure here on earth. (Matt 6:19, Lk 12:33.)
..will take no thought for food and clothes for today, (Matt 6:31,) and wont even take thought the next day! (Matt 6:34.)
..has been chosen by Jesus to go out and preach the gospel, sometimes on houses. (Mark 3:14, 6:7, Matt 28, Lk 24.)
..will cultivate the soil of his heart and will root out the cares of this world, riches, and other lusts. (Mark 4:19.)
..will not be like a great cedar of Lebanon but instead a pesky mustard bush that silently take over an area. (Matt 13:32.)
..will be the least of all the servants. (Mark 9:35.)
..after he has served Jesus form morning till evening will simply say he is an unprofitable servant who has only done his duty. (Lk 17:10.)
..will leave his father and mother, brothers and sisters, wife and children behind for the kingdom of God. (Lk 18:29.)
..will invest his time in the market place. (Lk 19:29.)
..will heed Jesus warning and refuse to waste money on big buildings which will only be destroyed. (Mark 13:1-2.)
If you call yourself a Christian these should be common occurrences in your daily life and walk with Jesus.
(If they are not, don't lose hope, you can repent and be born again today!)
A Christian is one who is a disciple and a disciple is one who is a follower—of Jesus;)
When one wants to define a Christian and they look at those who simply call themselves “Christians” they often scratch their heads (especially here in Ghana.. maybe in the US too.) It is most needful therefore that one looks back at the disciples themselves and of course what Jesus commanded of those who will follow him.
A Christian is therefore one who..:
..has the privilege of carrying around self on a cross. (Matt 6:24, Mark 8:34, Lk 14:27.)
..will not ever lend, but when asked (by his enemies,) will simply give—expecting nothing in return. (Lk 6:35.)
..will sell all that he has and distribute to the poor, (Lk 18:22,) or at least half, (Lk 19:8.)
..will take in strangers into their home, cloth the naked, visit the sick and those in prison because they see Jesus in each one. (Failure to perform these duties has a very unpleasant end for those goats, Matt 25:46;)
..will throw parties inviting not their friends but the poor, lame, and blind. (Luke 14:13.)
(The disciple will do so because he would want to get to know those who he will be spending eternity with, Matt 14:21-23.)
--and will have a party when one sinner repents. (Lk 15:6.)
..instead of enforcing a death sentence on the justly condemned will forgive. (John 8:7.)
..loves Jesus more than family. (Matt 10:37.) --and has a very big family! (Mark 3:34-35, Matt 12:50.)
..will heal sick, cleanse lepers, raise the dead, (possibly their won friends, Jn 11:43,) and cast out demons. (Matt 10:8, Mark 3:15, 6:7, Lk 9:1.)
..will share a meal often with tax collectors, sinners and prostitutes to the extent that religious people will reject them as sinners themselves. (Matt 11:19.)
..will forgive any sin or personal offence at most 490 times and at least as many times as Jesus has forgiven him. (Matt 18:35.)
..from time to time will cleanse religious buildings of men making merchandise instead of praying. (Matt 21:12-13.) (Warning: using a whip may get you killed.)
..when slapped on the cheek will graciously turn the other. (Matt 5:39.)
..will fast. (Matt 6:17.)
..will not lay up treasure here on earth. (Matt 6:19, Lk 12:33.)
..will take no thought for food and clothes for today, (Matt 6:31,) and wont even take thought the next day! (Matt 6:34.)
..has been chosen by Jesus to go out and preach the gospel, sometimes on houses. (Mark 3:14, 6:7, Matt 28, Lk 24.)
..will cultivate the soil of his heart and will root out the cares of this world, riches, and other lusts. (Mark 4:19.)
..will not be like a great cedar of Lebanon but instead a pesky mustard bush that silently take over an area. (Matt 13:32.)
..will be the least of all the servants. (Mark 9:35.)
..after he has served Jesus form morning till evening will simply say he is an unprofitable servant who has only done his duty. (Lk 17:10.)
..will leave his father and mother, brothers and sisters, wife and children behind for the kingdom of God. (Lk 18:29.)
..will invest his time in the market place. (Lk 19:29.)
..will heed Jesus warning and refuse to waste money on big buildings which will only be destroyed. (Mark 13:1-2.)
If you call yourself a Christian these should be common occurrences in your daily life and walk with Jesus.
(If they are not, don't lose hope, you can repent and be born again today!)