To be a true Christian
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The Resurrected Christ, by Wilson J. Ong. Wilson was Steve's roomate in college and best man at our wedding. You can find more of his artwork here. |
Back in New Testament times, the term “Christian” was used in derision to
describe the followers of Jesus Christ.
It was an insult, a slight. As
time progressed, however, the term became more positive. Eventually, over centuries of time, to be called a true Christian was
regarded as a term of commendation and praise.
We seem to have come full circle.
Some now condemn us and describe us as intolerant, naïve, or
rigid. I’d like to clarify what it means
to me to be a true Christian.
True Christians understand that there is a God who rules
supreme. He has all power, knowledge,
and a perfection of every attribute. He
is the great Creator and Lawgiver. He
loves us with a perfect love. He knows
us individually. He has given us life, a world to live on, air
to breathe, food to eat, talents and abilities. Every good gift comes from God.
True Christians follow the pattern Christ set when
addressing God. Of all the titles that
could accurately be used to describe God, Christ taught us that the preferred
title is simply “Our Father which art in heaven.” We call upon Him and regard Him as our Father.
True Christians believe that we are accountable to Him,
every one of us, whether we believe in Him or not. We came from Him, we will return to Him, and
we will report to Him of our life and how we chose to live it. This report will be a loving, joyful
experience for those who have done their best to obey God.
True Christians believe that God gives laws to man for His
own divine purpose. Some of us believe that it is merely to bring praise to
Him. Others believe that if we keep His
laws and commandments, we will become more like Him. All of us believe that we must obey Him as
completely and best as we can.
True Christians believe that we are endowed with our Creator
with agency, the right to choose how we will think and behave. We may not all enjoy liberty – the right to
choose the circumstances of our life – but every one of us has the right to
choose how we will react to those circumstances. That is an unalienable right from God.
Therefore, true Christians believe that God will not trump
that right. He allows us to choose to
obey Him or not. When we choose to
follow His commandments, He blesses us. When we choose not to follow or keep his commandments, we receive the
consequences.
True Christians believe that God sets the moral code for
man. Just as we cannot vote to overrule
the laws of gravity, we cannot vote away God’s moral code. We may try, but it is in vain. The consequences of breaking His laws will still
be in effect.
True Christians believe that God reserves the right to
Himself as to when we enter and depart this life. That is why the two greatest sins – murder
and sexual sin – are the most wicked to God. These sins will bring the greatest
consequences.
True Christians believe that we are all God’s children and
are entitled to be loved, cared for, taught, encouraged, and respected. In the case of those who choose to disobey
God’s law we follow the practice to love the sinner, hate the sin. This can be a challenge for some true
Christians, but it is our duty.
And finally, true Christians believe that Christ has enough
power, grace and mercy to heal all of us.
He has power to cleanse us of sin, change our hearts, turn our
weaknesses into strengths, remove bad habits and change them for good. He is our great exemplar, Redeemer, and
Savior. We love and worship Him.
There is more to being a true Christian – we study His word and apply it in our lives, we seek to have strong and loving marriages and families, we seek opportunities to serve others – but know this. We are honored and pleased to be called true Christians.
