Are you a Christian, a real Christian?
You are indeed if, in fact, you are a Biblical Christian, Bible-believing, following the pathway to salvation, and eternal life which the Bible clearly indicates.
You are a real Christian if you are an EPHESIANS 2:8-9 Christian:
FOR BY GRACE ARE YOU SAVED THROUGH FAITH, THAT NOT OF
YOURSELF, FOR IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD NOT OF WORKS LEST ANY
MAN OR WOMAN SHOULD BOAST.
You are indeed a real Christian if you are conscious of your need, conscious of SIN, confess that sin, seek the forgiveness and repentance of Jesus Christ, and accept and believe in Him as the Messiah, the Savior, the One and Only Way to God the Father. That is indeed the salvation pathway of a real Christian. Are you one?
If in fact, you are a real, Bible-believing Christian, saved by the saving blood of Jesus Christ, no further description of self or belief is necessary. We need not call ourselves EVANGELICAL, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, or for that matter anything other than BIBLE-BELIEVING CHRISTIAN SAVED BY GRACE. NOTHING else is necessary, nothing. In fact, it would then be the responsibility of every Christian, real Christian, to study the scriptures, study them well, and every day:
STUDY TO SHOW YOURSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD, WORKMEN
AND WOMEN WHO NEED NOT BE ASHAMED, RIGHTLY UNDERSTANDING
(DIVIDING) THE WORD OF TRUTH (THE BIBLE).
Study that book and learn, learn more every day about what it means to be a Christian, A REAL CHRISTIAN SAVED BY GRACE.
And, the real Christian believes fully and engages in a life of:
PRAYER.
Pray, says the scripture, without ceasing. The Holy Spirit of God indwells, accompanies, and becomes a lifelong partner of the real Christian. That very same member of the Trinity enables, strengthens, enlightens, verbalizes, and communicates the deepest thoughts, feelings, emotions, and needs of every real Christian to God the Father. The heart of a real Christian has its reasons for thought and prayer which far transcends reason itself, and THE HOLY SPIRIT makes that known as a prayer partner to God the Father as we pray. PRAY WITHOUT CEASING!
The real Christian knows that God is HOLY and therefore, takes time every day no matter where he or she is, to WORSHIP God the Father:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
LORD GOD ALMIGHTY
The real Christian luxuriates in the daily worship of our holy God no matter where he or she is. No special place is necessary.
The real Christian engages in communion anytime the Holy Spirit leads. The flesh and blood, the bread and wine of Jesus Christ, can be constantly experienced anytime, anywhere.
The real Christian engages in confession of sin, and transgressions, and seeks a holy life, more so every day, knowing that salvation is permanent and secure, but desiring a better walk with the Lord each and every day.
The real Christian engages in praise:
PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW
PRAISE HIM ALL CREATURES HERE BELOW
PRAISE FATHER, SON, AND HOLY GHOST
The real Christian gives THANKS at all times, thanking God for everything, EVERYTHING! And especially:
THANKS, BE UNTO GOD
FOR HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
In everything give thanks.
The real Christian engages in daily meditation, the so-called quiet time. The mind of a real Christian daily meditates upon God the creator of all things, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. Wisdom and understanding flow freely in those quiet, contemplative moments. No matter how many or how long, meditation moments are a vital, spiritually energizing part of the life of every real Christian.
The real Christian asks and seeks at all times. Pride and ego go away. The wisdom, guidance, and direction of the Lord God Almighty are critical to every Christian.
The real Christian is ready at all times to give an answer, a reason for the hope that is in him or her through Jesus Christ. When the opportunity is right, discussion of that faith without pretense no matter how eloquent the words, comes easily and it is those discussions of those faithful reasons a joy to share a real and personal testimony.
The real Christian is a person of the Word, living the glorious life of those 66 books. No words are necessary to describe faith when any real Christian lives what he or she believes. The Christian life really lived is a far higher and better testimony than any words could convey.
The real Christian seldom self-interprets scripture but seeks the guidance, wisdom, and interpretation of the Holy Spirit. There is no higher wisdom, none at all.
So, my friend, I ask:
ARE YOU A REAL CHRISTIAN?
A BIBLE-BELIEVING CHRISTIAN?
SAVED IN FAITH BY GRACE?
I do hope and pray you are. May you today and all of life seek first the Kingdom of God and all the righteous things HE has to offer will be given to you!