WHO IS A CHRISTIAN?

There is only one kind of Christian in the sight of God.  
It is we who have created different kinds of Christians namely, Nominal or Namesake Christians, Carnal Christians, Spiritual Christians, Spirit Filled Christians, Worldly Christians, etc. 

WHY ARE WE CREATING THESE DIVISIONS WITHIN OURSELVES?

Why have we done this? 

Because when we begin to see things differently, we would like to convince ourselves that, ‘only we’ are right.  Others who don’t see things like us are then considered wrong.  This is pride and self conceit.    

Who are we trying to impress? 

We are trying to impress people around us and of course we want to impress ourselves too.  We want to be distinguished for what we believe and that is precisely why we create names and groups that describe ourselves rather than the Lord.

What are we intending to accomplish? 

We want to establish our own Kingdom.  And we want to believe that we are that ‘little flock’ to whom the Lord desires to give the kingdom; nothing could be further from the truth.

Where are we trying to go? 

Our destination is unknown.  We are like the blind leading the blind wherein both will fall in the ditch.  A divided body will accomplish nothing.

When will we realize that we are wrong?

At the Final Judgment when we see that God ‘alone’ is the Judge.

Premature judgment can be very disappointing.  Accusing the acquitted makes us the accused.

  

The Word of God defines a Christian as follows:

1.         Any person who believes that Jesus is the Messiah.

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah is God’s spiritual child and has been fathered by God himself. And everyone who loves Father God loves his children as well.” - 1 John 5:1 TPT

2.         Any person that confesses that Jesus Christ came in the flesh.

“Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:  - 1 John 4:2 KJV

3.         Any person that confesses that Jesus Christ is the son of God.

“Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.” - 1 John 4:15 KJV

4.         Any person that is prompted by the spirit of God to confess Jesus as Lord.

“Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.” - 1 Corinthians 12:3 KJV

5.         Any person that believes on the name of the Son of God.

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” - 1 John 5:13

6.         Any person that confesses Jesus as Lord.

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” – Rom 10:9

7.         Any person that receives (acknowledges) Jesus Christ.

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” – John 1:12

8.         Any person that is born again.

“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” – John 3:5

9.         Any person that believes in Jesus Christ.

“That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life” – John 3:16

“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” – John 3:18

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” – John 3:36

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. – John 6:47

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” - John 11:25

“And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” – John 11:26

“I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me

should not abide in darkness.” – John 12:26

“For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and

have believed that I came out from God.” – John 16:27

“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ,

the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his

name” – John 20:31

10.      Any person that believes that God sent Jesus Christ.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” – John 5:24

You can conduct a social experiment using the above 10 point scale and examine anyone that calls himself a Christian and I can guarantee that no one will fail in any of the above points.

In that case, why are we profiling Christians by our standards and measure?

How can we expect to be effective witnesses of Christ on earth while we are divided?

Our disassociating with other members of the Body of Christ is the reason we are standing powerless in this hour.

Remember, we are called to be the light of the world.

Remember, we are called to be the salt of the earth.

Remember, we are called to be in this world as He was in this world.

Remember, we are called to be His Body with all the capabilities of the Head, who is Christ.

Remember, we are called to do the things that Jesus Christ did and greater things.

We, Christians should come together in spirit and in truth.  We should have fervent love for one another and only then we will be able to see the power of God manifested through us.

Finally let us not judge anyone on our scale.  Let us not reject someone that God chooses to accept.  Let us not cause the Body of Christ to fragment.  Let us ask the Lord to enlarge our heart for His purposes.  Amen!

- Melchizedek