5 May 2024

ON BEING A REAL CHRISTIAN

(Going Forward in Christ: GFIC 18)

Only three times the believer and follower of Christ is called “Christian” in the New Testament. But that means so differently from today’s usage of the word. Many who call themselves “Christian” are not really so, in the true sense of the word. That is because most, especially in the West, are only Christian in name to identify their religious status. This also true in our part of the world, as many are just nominal believers, and not fully committed to Christ as Lord and Saviour. There is no evidence of their becoming a “new creation” in Christ, resulting in a transformation of life when “old things are passed away and all things have become new” (2 Cor.5:17). No change of life is seen in such “believers”.

Let us look at these three references and see what they mean.

Acts 11:26: “The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch”.

Notice that this name was given to “the disciples”, who were committed to the Lordship of Christ. The non-believers in Antioch were surprised at this new group of “religious” people who were so loving and so fervent in their faith. For want of a better word, they ‘coined’ the word “Christian” to identify the disciples. They did this because their lives and behaviour reminded them of a Man called Christ. So the word would originally mean “CHRISTian” – that is, one belonging to Christ or behaving like Christ; in other words, “miniature Christ”.

Acts 26:28: “Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”

Paul was standing trial before the Governor Festus and King Agrippa. Paul defended himself by giving a powerful testimony concerning Christ and his conversion. Agrippa was so gripped by Paul’s convincing witness that he said the above. This shows us something very important. Paul’s commitment to Christ and the Gospel that caused his imprisonment convicted Agrippa so much that he was moved to utter the above words. Paul replied, “Short time or long – I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am” (v.29). This shows us that the true Christian must have a passion for souls and testify boldly for Christ whenever an opportunity is given by God.

1 Peter 4:16: “However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that Name”.

This shows that a truly committed Christian should expect suffering in terms of persecution, opposition and hardship for the sake of Christ (Phil.1:29). We are supposed to “take up our Cross” when we follow Christ. The Bible also says that “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim.3:12). Like it or not, it will happen to us.

The challenge before us today is: what kind of “Christians” are we? Are truly committed to Christ as Lord of our life, or are we just being a Christian by name? 

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