ODJ: what is a Christian?
November 14, 2011
All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God (v.14).
READ: Romans 8:1-17
Under “religious views” on her Facebook profile, my wife lists the simple phrase “Jesus-follower.” She uses that explanatory term to avoid political and cultural connotations associated with the word Christian. In some cultures, people are “born Christian.” But that is a misunderstanding of what it means to follow Jesus. Ironically, a friend of mine in the United Kingdom asked me not to use “Jesus-follower” to describe Christians. It seems that in his culture, the problem is reversed.
My friend told me, “The tag ‘Follower of Jesus’ has been used to muddy the waters between those who have a committed relationship to Christ and those in other faith systems.” He noted that some regard Jesus as a great man but still less than what He claimed to be. Something less than the unique, virgin-born Messiah. Something less than the sinless Lamb of God who was crucified for our sins. Something less than the resurrected Jesus.
So what is a Christian? Paul gave us a solid definition in Romans 8. A Christian is one who has been set free from slavery to sin and its sentence of death. “There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus,” Paul wrote. “The power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death” (vv.1-2). Real Christianity should also have accompanying evidence. “You are controlled by the [Holy] Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you,” he added. “And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to Him at all” (v.9).
“All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God,” Paul concluded (v.14). “His Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children” (v.16). That’s not something political or cultural. It’s relational! —Tim Gustafson
What does it mean to you to be a Christian? How would your unsaved friends and acquaintances answer that question?
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