You are welcome to another important and yet difficult topic to explain. Why, because in the modern world of today, everyone claimed to be a Christian. Churches spring up daily, people are preaching from all manners of media. It is very difficult to say two words without hearing the phase “God bless you”. Everyone professes to be Christian. What is the true position of things in our society? What are the personalities or qualities of a true Christian? How do you identify a true Christian, what are the challenges that confront a true Christian, and how do you become one, if you are not already one?
We shall examine some or all of these questions and see how best to answer them in this series. May the Lord give us the spirit of understanding and truth, and the grace to change for the better whenever our actions fall below the master’s expectations in the name of Jesus Christ.
The word “Christian” appears thrice in KJV bible. The first in Acts 11:26, then Acts 26:28, and lastly 1 Peter 4:16. In these instances, the word “Christian” depicts follower or believers of Christ. The word also means Christ-like, or like Jesus Christ.
For us to understand the personalities of a Christian, we must understand the personalities of Jesus Christ himself, because all Christians’ actions or in-actions revolve round him. He is the one we all “claimed” to be like. We claim to continue with the works he started on earth. We pretend to act like him, speak like him, preach like him, and do thinks like him. How far are we from this assertion? How far are we from this lofty desire? Are we doing just that or we have erred and added our own versions of Christianity to it? Can the unbeliever see us and say of a truth we are Christian? At home do our actions show that we are Christian? In our closet, do we practice what we preach? Or we believe in “do as I say and not as I do syndrome”? These are individualistic questions that only we can answer for ourselves.
Let us come back to the focus of the topic. That is the personalities of Jesus Christ. One book is not sufficient to deal with this topic. Again one person cannot claim to know all about Jesus Christ. But there are sufficient information from the bible to guide us as we continue to enumerate them.
All Christians must be born again. This is the number one condition that must be fulfilled by everyone who is a true Christian. It is written in John 3:3: “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”. A true Christian must be born again in order to see and enter into the Kingdom of God. Do not be ashamed to be born again or be called a born again Christian.
But how could a man be born again? You must be born of the spirit as explained by Jesus Christ himself in John 3:7-8. You must be filled with the spirit of God. You may also read 1 Peter 1:23-25 to help your understanding. If you are a true Christian, you will treat this issue seriously. Do not be “born against”.
Consider John 10: 14-15: “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.”
All Christians are redeemed by the blood of the lamb. Jesus Christ said in the scriptures quoted above that he is the good shepherd. He knows his sheep and his sheep know him. He went further to say that His father knows him and likewise he knows the father and that he laid down his life for his sheep. Does Jesus Christ know you? Are you among those he laid down his life for? Can you confidently say that your name is in the book of life? If you do not even know what book of life means, then you cannot be a true Christian.
In John 4:34, Jesus Christ said that his desire or priority is to do the work of Him that sent Him and to finish His work. In summary, Jesus Christ was sent by the God Almighty. Jesus Christ has the personality of a messenger, who has the desire to fulfil the assignment committed into his hand by the master: the Almighty God. Do you have this personality or trait? Do you serve or you always wanted people to serve you? This is a question that no one can answer for you. You have to be honest in answering it otherwise you will be the looser at the end.
In Luke 4:18 – 19, Jesus Christ says this: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord”. All these were achieved by Jesus Christ when He was on this earth. He preached the gospel, heals the sick, delivers the captives, etc. All these he offered freely to mankind. And when he was leaving, he instructed us as we see in Matthew 28:19 – 20, Mark 15:16, and John 21:16 to preach the gospel. Indeed we preach the gospel, but have we not commercialized this assignment? Have we not devised the means of preaching the gospel to “milk” the poor? We said those who work in the pulpit must feed from the pulpit. We have quoted the scripture upside down! Remember that others, especially the unbelievers are watching us. These are the people Jesus Christ asked us to bring to God the Father.
Some weeks ago, I read in the daily newspaper of a nation that some group of pastors regularly visit an HIV Aids patients’ hospital. They would preach the gospel to the patients and after that collect offerings for their transport fare. They do this regularly! It was not recorded in the bible that Jesus Christ raised or collected offerings from the poor and the sick. This action of ours contradicts the believe and assignments of the Christians. It is an abomination before God.
Whatever we preach that negates or goes contrary to what God says in the bible is unacceptable. We cannot choose to interpret the scripture to suite ourselves or purpose. We cannot choose to idolize some precepts in the bible and neglect others. Christ cannot be preached in parts but total. Any attempt to do this would lead to false doctrine. The scripture says that every act of unrighteousness is a sin (1 John 5:17), including teaching of false doctrine for whatever reason or purpose.
Several churches exist today that teach false doctrine or heresy. People are much eager to listen to false teaching to suit their perverse mind. They “enjoy” listening to false teaching as it makes them feel good and allowed them to hide their sins. In addition, some teaching also gives sin a glorifying name thereby acquitting the sinner. Some preachers have stopped calling sin a sin so as to attract more tithes and offering and increased church members. All these are not, and should not be found in the corridors of Christianity. A true Christian would call a spade a spade. May the Lord give us the boldness to speak the truth in the name of Jesus Christ.
In John 11:39-44, Jesus Christ raised Lazarus from the death after four days. In Mark 5:25, He healed a woman that had issue of blood for twelve years. There are several scriptures that show where Jesus Christ healed the sick, delivers those that were oppressed, etc., etc. Jesus Christ is a carrier of solutions and so we are or we should be. In John 14:12, Jesus Christ said this: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father”. Are we doing this work? As a Christian, we have the personality of doing the good woks left behind by our Lord Jesus Christ. We are identified by the fruit of our works. Indeed, show me your work and I can tell whether you are a Christian or not.
As a Christian and followers of Christ, we supposed to be solution carriers. But being a solution carrier depends on our personal development and intimacy with the master: Jesus Christ. He is our source of strength. One day we shall be made to account for all that we have done in His name.
In Galatians 5:16, Apostle Paul admonishes the Christians and said the following: “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh”. Christians are not allowed to romance with sin. Christians are not allowed to be found in places where sin dwells. They are admonished to be upright in well doing, morally upright in speech, character and eschew sins with perfect hatred. Both inside and outward must be clean of all iniquities. In summary, we are to be dead to sin.
To be dead to sin does not mean a physical death. It simply means that we eschew sins, be far from the camp of the enemies of God and focus on righteousness. A true Christian will make this his priority and do all it takes to live a dedicated live for Christ.
This is another personality of a true Christian and I pray that the good Lord give us the grace to be dead to sins.
What does it mean to reflect Jesus Christ? Look at yourself in the mirror. Can you imagine what you see? That is yourself and no other person. In the same way, can others (especially those we call unbelievers) see Christ in us when they behold us? Did our actions or inactions portray Christ? Can anybody see you and say that truly you are a Christian? Do you even reflect on what you are doing unto others? Do you know the consequences of your actions on others?
A good Christian would consider these questions seriously because sometimes our actions speak louder than voice. Our actions can win souls or repeal souls away from the heavenly Kingdom. Some unbeliever would rather not be a Christian due to our actions. Others too will want to be Christians because of what they see in us. Where do you belong? In Acts 19:15, the evil spirit told the seven sons of Sceva (verse 14) and said “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?” Can we tell by your actions that you are a Christian? You definitely reflect something: Christ or Satan. But I urge you to reflect Christ. Some of us still indulge in secrete sins. Those ones are like the proverbial Ostrich that buries his head in the sand and raises his hind leg up, and yet claiming that no one sees him. Many people are watching him!
A good Christian would seek to reflect Jesus Christ wherever he goes and in whatever he does. May the Lord help us to achieve this good quality of Jesus Christ.
Persecution is harassment, it means oppression, maltreatment, discrimination or intimidation. Jesus Christ suffered persecution while on earth. In Matthew 10:25, He said “It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?” In addition read John 15:18-20, and Mark 10:30. These bible passages show warnings of Jesus Christ to the Christians the possibilities of facing persecution on this earth. We have been forewarned. Let us face persecution with boldness because it is inevitable or unavoidable.
Persecution is the trial of our faith. It has the ability to strengthen our trust in Him when successfully completed. Christians face persecution from different sources: from peers, friends, parents, government bodies, enemies, even from co-workers (the list is endless). Nevertheless, let us remember what Christ said in John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world”. Our Lord Jesus Christ has overcome the world, we too we shall overcome if we do not deny him during the period of our persecution and trial. May the Lord give us the grace to endure to the end.
Temptation is an offer to sin. It is an attraction to the wrongs. It is also a desire to disobey God. Nevertheless, it is an opportunity to prove our love for Jesus Christ and to showcase our faith in Him. It is one of the yardstick used by the enemies as well as the unbelievers in measuring the strength of our commitment to the kingdom of God.
The book of Luke 4:2-13 gave an account of the temptation of Jesus Christ. Temptation is part of Christian life. What happens during our temptation period matters a lot. What transpired during this period would speak volume concerning our faith, our integrity and ability to endure. We probably would have little or no friend during the period of temptation. You may not find anyone to carry your cross or give you helping hand during the period of trials. But many fiends would identify with you at the end when you succeed or triumph. Jesus Christ succeeded all forms of temptations. He is our mirror and we should reflect him (James 1:2), because “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him”, James 1:12.
As a good Christian, our prayer should not be to avert temptation, but for the grace to overcome all forms of temptation. May the Lord make such grace available to us during our trial period.
As long as we live in this world, we will have needs. No one is created without needs or desires that are required to be met. As a human being, a Christian has the tendency to live a good life. A true Christian needs the basic necessities of life: like shelter, food, clothing, etc., etc. This is the right of a true believer and they are not negotiable. These needs, so to say, bring challenges. Furthermore, the need to attain or meet all these needs has led several Christians to forsake the primary calling and to pursue earthly glory that are ephemeral, transitory and short-lived. The love of what to eat and drink has taken many Christians off the track and blinded them. They no longer serve the Lord, but their stomach. Indeed this is the end time.
The other challenge is the love of this world. Many Christians wanted to “look” like their contemporary “free thinkers”, or opposite believers. They compare themselves with those people that are seeking the earthly glory, who can do “anything” to garner or amass wealth. They want to be seen like them. They want to be appreciated like them. They want to be sociable like them. What a great challenge indeed!
Other Christians focus on power acquisition, overbearing or bossy attitude, excessive domineering. They desire to be “on top” at all costs without minding how they get to the top, they desire to rule and control their environment. They forgot that only God awards promotion to His rightful and deserving children. In Psalms 75:6-7 the bible says that promotion is neither from the east, west nor south, but from God that is able to put down and elevate. Why don’t we seek God first and allow all these to be added unto us. Again, lack of contentment has made this a big challenge to Christians. Let us seek God with genuineness of heart and He will fulfil all our desires that are based on His purpose for our lives.
These challenges and many more exist in this world. We need to focus on God and Jesus Christ. No mountain should be too high to climb by Christians for Jesus Christ. The Lord will give us the spirit of humility, contentment and desire to focus on the heavenly race irrespective of the challenges. We shall all succeed and make it to heaven in Jesus name.
God says that Judgment would begin in His own house (1 peter 4:17), i.e. the church. Because Christians are the church of God, it is our responsibility to ensure that we are not found wanting on the judgment day.
Let us live according to the dictates of the Almighty God. Let us guide jealously our salvation with fear and trembling, and our heavenly father will give us the crown of glory on the last day. Be a true Christian!
This is the concluding part of this message, and be on the lookout for the next. Stay blessed!!!
