Are You A “Christian?” It May Be Time To Change That.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35 NIV

There are times where I cringe when some people who I know define themselves as “being Christian.”

You may say to yourselves, “John, who do you think you are?” And that would undoubtedly be a question that I would ask of someone making that statement.

We just started a new series called “Redefining Christian.” at the Crosspoint Church in Niceville, FL, that my wife and I attend. As Pastor Jeremy was preaching this message, my mind started to go in many different directions, and this will be my attempt to record those thoughts.

When you look at the world around you, it isn’t too hard to see many people in the world call themselves “Christian.” Many people on TV claim that the message they espouse is from Jesus, but the message has no relevance to what Jesus said or meant.

There have been wars fought by armies who claimed to represent being “Christian.”

The United States of America is said to have been founded on “Christian” principles. This thought is shockingly scary to me as I observe what is happening in this country.

The first time that the word, Christian, is mentioned in the Bible is in the Book of Acts 11:25 – 26: Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

“The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” This description was not meant to be complimentary. The keyword in this portion of scripture is the word, disciples.

The definition of a disciple, according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is “one who assists in spreading the doctrines of another.”

They did not call themselves Christians when the church was starting. Being called a “Christian” in the early days would have been an insult and could have cost you your life in those days.

Emperor Nero, who ruled Rome in those days, actually dipped Christians in wax and lit them on fire, referencing them “as the light of the world,” and he also would cover them with sheepskins and put them in the arena to be eaten by lions.

There are still areas in this world where you could lose your life if you are identified as a Christian. Not so in the USA; many identify as “Christian,” but “discipleship” is questionable.

So let’s tackle this subject with the one source that will help us think on this subject matter: the Bible.

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 NIV

In Matthew 28, we are called to “The Great Commission,” as Jesus calls us to: “go and make disciples of all nations.”

The question that we need to ask ourselves is: Am I a disciple?

The answer to this question also answers this question: “Am I saved, and am I going to heaven?”

From our feature verse, Jesus said that the way that the world will define us as disciples is, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

A vital portion of this scripture is “As I have loved you.”

We can only love this way by having Jesus centered squarely in our hearts.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:43-45 NIV

Jesus calls us to love our enemies.

Who do we define as our enemies? It’s pretty too easy to see that nowadays; jump on FaceBook, and you’ll see it almost immediately.

We have the Trump supporters who hate the Biden supporters and vice versa. A new one that has reared its ugly head is the “Vaxed” against the “Un-Vaxed.”

We have the rich against the poor. This list could go on and on.

If you call yourself a Christian and are engaged in this form of public discourse, you are in the wrong. My suggestion would be to get off FaceBook, get to your church, and volunteer to help those less fortunate than you. Doing this will solve more problems than your contributions to fruitless verbal battles on FaceBook.

Jesus goes on to say:

If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:46-48 NIV

We have to go back to the portion of scripture that says, “As I have loved you,” to accomplish this.

Whenever I think of God’s love, I go back to 1 Corinthians 13 for a refresher:

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 NIV

Without Jesus, the most significant expression of love ever exhibited, in our hearts, we have nothing. We gain nothing and spend eternity separated from God (in hell).

What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Mark 8:36 NIV

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me John 14:6 NIV

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV

What a different world we would have if we lived by these words. We are two years into a worldwide pandemic. People’s lives have been turned upside down. Businesses are looking for help, and people expect to be served just as fast as they did before the pandemic. I’m guessing that the person behind that drive-up window would love to experience some patience and kindness.

How about that envy? When was the last time we were honestly happy for another person’s success, without the thought, “it must be nice?”

It’s not too long on FaceBook before we may find someone boasting about something they have done. There is no place for videos that show people doing good for others. As most would congratulate those who do these feats of charity, this is not what we would do as disciples of Jesus.

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:1-4 NIV

If it is in our hearts, we need to show someone else how to give and make a video on FaceBook about it; it is more about us than the giving, and the applause of those on FaceBook is the only reward we will receive.

It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:5-7 NIV

The New Living Translation translates these verses this way:

…It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:5-7 NLT

Whenever we try to convince someone to do something that we feel is right for them, it is wrong, even for their good. When we do this, we are “demanding our way.”

I think Dale Carnegie was quoted saying: “Those convinced against their will, are of the same opinion still.”

God offers Himself to worship, but He wants that worship to be done willingly. He does not demand that we worship Him. He sacrificed His Son on the Cross for our sins, the only sacrifice that would suffice. He gives us that choice; He provides us the faith as well. Our part is to open our hearts and accept.

Perfect love keeps no record of being wronged. Wouldn’t that be refreshing these days? The days when something you said when you were younger could “cancel” you overnight.

If you are a disciple of Jesus, we do not engage in this activity.

When the heart shifts by the Hand of God, there is no changing it.

O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. Psalm 86:5 NLT

This verse has become a “go-to” verse for me. I memorized this verse about five years ago, and this verse had stopped me in my tracks on several occasions when I was in a position to forgive and help. And it stopped me when I was in the mindset NOT to forgive or help.

Meditating and memorizing scripture is an excellent way to help you through your walk with Jesus, and it comes with a promise.

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. Joshua 1:8 NLT

How can we be “one who assists in spreading the doctrines of Jesus?” We can live our faith out in the presence of those around us.

We can love one another.

This is how they will know we are disciples of Jesus.

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13

Heavenly Father, thank You for the beautiful message that I heard today. I pray that it affects my heart, and more importantly, it affects my actions to those around me, especially those with whom I do not see eye to eye.

I pray that You continue to move in my mind and my heart and that I represent You as a proper disciple.

I thank You for Your continued blessing, and I look forward to Your return.

In the name of Jesus, I pray! Amen!! 🙏❤️