Are You a Christian

On The Damascus Road Answers
Am I A Christian?

So You Claim To Be A Christian

Let's first define a Christian so we know we are in tune with each other. We will not assume the heart has turned to God rather than just a head knowledge without faith. The four-fold check list starts with the REALIZATION that according to the laws of God each of us is totally sinful and justifiably bound for hell (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23a). Second, each one of us must RECOGNIZE the immense Love that God expressed toward all mankind and bestowed upon each individual who, in faith, receives that expression (John 3:16; Romans 6:23b). Thirdly, though we may realize or assent to the nature of man to sin, we may not be repentant of that sin in our own lives. This would never do - to become a Christian. Romans 10:9-11 informs us that we must believe Jesus is Lord, and we must be willing to confess this. How can we possibly believe this and not be grieved to the point of turning away from each sin that nailed Jesus to the cross. Yes, a Christian must truly REPENT. Last, a Christian must RECEIVE forgiveness of sin by Christ's everlasting gift of His life and His Blood as payment in full (John 1:12).
I'd like to add another requirement, not for salvation, but for Christian growth. We must desire Jesus to be seen in us by allowing Him full control of our lives. We must ask Jesus to come into our lives, not just as Jesus, nor as the Christ, nor as Lord. We must receive Him in the total concept as He has presented Himself to us, which is, Lord Jesus Christ, not mistaking the fact that:

    1.    When He comes as Jesus, He comes with full knowledge of man's frailty and as a compassionate Saviour.
    2.    When He comes as the Christ, He will come in full authority as the Promised and Anointed Son of God.
    3.    When He comes as Lord, He is given complete control of every facet in your life, and not one little nook or cranny is to be reserved for selfish desires.

    Now, on the presumption that the Lord and you are in this close relationship we've just been talking about because His Spirit is living in you, let's proceed - Christian!
    When you realize what our Heavenly Father has done to show forth His love to man... that same love constrains us to show forth that identical love to Him and to others.
    To see a parallel on more familiar ground, consider the love that a child receives from his or her parents. When there is recognition that the parent sat up all night at the side of the child to nurse him or her through an illness or went out of the way to provide something that was "just wanted"; sacrificed something of great significance to provide that bicycle that was desired; then, out of that recognition of parental love, comes forth, from deep within the child, a love and trust for that parent. First, because the child had done absolutely nothing to deserve this special attention but that this love was GIVEN from the parent just because that child belonged to him or her... because that child was from out of him... because she bore that child within. And, secondly, that the child could not have done anything to bring about that parental love.
    Therefore, the child has an excellent example to which he or she can not only assent but use as a guide for his or her love in return. This returned love brings about the desire to accomplish good works for and toward the parents.
    How can you do good works toward your parents? Do you know what would really please them? Have they informed you or in some way gotten the message across to you what would be well pleasing to them? Did they let you know in some manner or other that even if you never did anything to or for them it would not have changed their love for you even one iota (jot or tittle)? If the parents had never let the child know what was pleasing to them, if they had never vocalized their will in the child's presence, there would be no understanding on the part of the child.
    Praise the Lord, this only takes place in the rarest of instances. Instead almost all parents get the word to their children and in that manner the children grow in the love and admonition of their parents.
    In the same manner our Heavenly Father also shows forth to us His good pleasure both to have and to do. It has come to us in His Word that is alive and made available to us, called the Holy Bible. God, through His apostle Paul, told us as recorded in 2 Timothy 2:15, that we are to "Study to show thyself (ourselves) approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth". This, one might say, is the first major admonition from our Lord. This way we can be fed by Him unto His wisdom as He has so graciously recorded for our strengthening in the Bible.
    As we read His written word with a heart attitude of serious study, as we allow God's Holy Spirit to pervade our understanding, as the Holy Spirit testifies and enlightens each Christian's spirit; we are given the opportunity to show forth our love to God by obedience to His will. We grow in stature and boldness of His Word being not afraid to witness because His Love, as explained in the Bible, has built our spiritual understanding to greater development with each passing moment that we search diligently from His Word.
    Then we are exhorted to give forth from the Book of Truth. The words "rightly divide" imply two ideas. First, is to state that you have torn the words apart (broken them down to their simplest meaning) and put them back together to best understand the meaning of God's Word. Second is to say God's Spirit is directing you to give forth the proper word to the proper person at the proper time. Now this second implication is more difficult to do than you might at first suspect. If you have diligently been reading and studying His Holy Scripture, you can trust the Holy Spirit to bring back to mind what He has said to you, and the only way God speaks to man today is by our serious contemplation of Scripture. You see, if you've never read it, you've never heard it, and if you've never heard it, there will be much difficulty in the Lord directing your thoughts back to what you have yet to hear!
    So, now that you are a Christian, the first task you must take to yourself is to follow the exhortation found in 2 Timothy 2:15 along with all the other commissions that you've heard. And, as new ones are laid upon your heart by the Lord, trust Jesus to accomplish that in you and through you which He has begun.
    As the understanding of His Holy Word expands and explodes in your mind, heart, and life, you will find such a richness and fullness of the Holy Spirit living in and guiding you that you have never tasted before. You will find yourself on the mountain top in a personal relation with our Heavenly Father because you have willingly followed the course laid out for you and disclosed to you by the indwelling Holy Spirit of God.
    May you walk in the Spirit constantly; and consistently be found giving glory and praise to your Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Blessed Assurance
Jesus Is Mine

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	Now, on the presumption that the Lord and you are in this close relationship we've just been talking about because His Spirit is living in you, let's proceed - Christian! When you realize what our Heavenly Father has done to show forth His love to man... that same love constrains us to show forth that identical love to Him and to others. To see a parallel on more familiar ground, consider the love that a child receives from his or her parents. When there is recognition that the parent sat up all night at the side of the child to nurse him or her through an illness or went out of the way to provide something that was "just wanted"; sacrificed something of great significance to provide that bicycle that was desired; then, out of that recognition of parental love, comes forth, from deep within the child, a love and trust for that parent. First, because the child had done absolutely nothing to deserve this special attention but that this love was GIVEN from the parent just because that child belonged to him or her... because that child was from out of him... because she bore that child within. And, secondly, that the child could not have done anything to bring about that parental love. Therefore, the child has an excellent example to which he or she can not only assent but use as a guide for his or her love in return. This returned love brings about the desire to accomplish good works for and toward the parents. How can you do good works toward your parents? Do you know what would really please them? Have they informed you or in some way gotten the message across to you what would be well pleasing to them? Did they let you know in some manner or other that even if you never did anything to or for them it would not have changed their love for you even one iota (jot or tittle)? If the parents had never let the child know what was pleasing to them, if they had never vocalized their will in the child's presence, there would be no understanding on the part of the child. Praise the Lord, this only takes place in the rarest of instances. Instead almost all parents get the word to their children and in that manner the children grow in the love and admonition of their parents. In the same manner our Heavenly Father also shows forth to us His good pleasure both to have and to do. It has come to us in His Word that is alive and made available to us, called the Holy Bible. God, through His apostle Paul, told us as recorded in 2 Timothy 2:15, that we are to "Study to show thyself (ourselves) approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth". This, one might say, is the first major admonition from our Lord. This way we can be fed by Him unto His wisdom as He has so graciously recorded for our strengthening in the Bible. As we read His written word with a heart attitude of serious study, as we allow God's Holy Spirit to pervade our understanding, as the Holy Spirit testifies and enlightens each Christian's spirit; we are given the opportunity to show forth our love to God by obedience to His will. We grow in stature and boldness of His Word being not afraid to witness because His Love, as explained in the Bible, has built our spiritual understanding to greater development with each passing moment that we search diligently from His Word. Then we are exhorted to give forth from the Book of Truth. The words "rightly divide" imply two ideas. First, is to state that you have torn the words apart (broken them down to their simplest meaning) and put them back together to best understand the meaning of God's Word. Second is to say God's Spirit is directing you to give forth the proper word to the proper person at the proper time. Now this second implication is more difficult to do than you might at first suspect. If you have diligently been reading and studying His Holy Scripture, you can trust the Holy Spirit to bring back to mind what He has said to you, and the only way God speaks to man today is by our serious contemplation of Scripture. You see, if you've never read it, you've never heard it, and if you've never heard it, there will be much difficulty in the Lord directing your thoughts back to what you have yet to hear! So, now that you are a Christian, the first task you must take to yourself is to follow the exhortation found in 2 Timothy 2:15 along with all the other commissions that you've heard. And, as new ones are laid upon your heart by the Lord, trust Jesus to accomplish that in you and through you which He has begun. As the understanding of His Holy Word expands and explodes in your mind, heart, and life, you will find such a richness and fullness of the Holy Spirit living in and guiding you that you have never tasted before. You will find yourself on the mountain top in a personal relation with our Heavenly Father because you have willingly followed the course laid out for you and disclosed to you by the indwelling Holy Spirit of God. May you walk in the Spirit constantly; and consistently be found giving glory and praise to your Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Blessed Assurance Jesus Is Mine