Twist of Faith-Episode Seven- The Bible’s Definition of being a Christian


With all of the recent rhetoric about who may or may not be a Christian, I decided to check the only true authority on the subject.  I looked through my Bible and here is what I discovered.



First John Chapter 1 to 6, 9 through 11, 15 through 17, and 26 through the 27th.  I combine these because I believe each verse has a particular message that we all need to hear.  It begins; “my little children, I am telling you this so that you will stay away from sin.  But if you do sin, there is someone to plead for you before the Father.  His name is Jesus Christ, the one who is all that is good and who pleases God completely.  He is the one who took God’s wrath against our sins upon himself, and brought us into fellowship with God; and he is the forgiveness for our sins and not only ours but all the world’s.  And how can we be sure that we belong to him?  By looking within ourselves:  are we really trying to do what he wants us to?  Someone may say “I am a Christian: I am on my way to heaven: I belong to Christ,” But if he doesn’t do what Christ tells him to, he is a liar.  But those who do what Christ tell them to will learn to love God more and more.  That is the way to know whether or not you are a Christian.  Anyone who says he is a Christian should live as Christ did.  Anyone who says he is walking in the light of Christ but dislikes his fellow man is still in the darkness.  But whoever loves his fellow man is walking in the light and can see his way without stumbling around in the darkness and sin.  For he who dislikes his brother is wandering in spiritual darkness and doesn’t know where he is going, for the darkness has made him blind so that he cannot see the way.  Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love these things you show that you do not really love God; for all these worldly thing, these evil desires-the craze for sex, the ambition to buy everything that appeals to you, and the pride that comes from wealth and importance-these are not from God.  They are from this evil world itself.  And this world is fading away, and these evil, forbidden things will go away with it, but whoever keeps doing the will of God will live forever.  You have heard about the Antichrist who is coming-the one who is against Christ-and already many such persons have appeared.  These remarks of mine about the Antichrist are pointed at those who would dearly love to blindfold you and lead you astray.  But you have received the Holy Spirit and he lives within you, in your hearts, so that you don’t need anyone to teach you what is right”



Basically this chapter tells us that the light of God is in all of us regardless of your sex, gender, color creed choice of religion or choice of affiliation.  It tells us that anyone can claim the title of Christian but only those living as best we can in the manner of Christ will retain that title.  We must not hate our brother and in order for this to fit the situation today, I would throw in there our sisters as well.  It tells us to stop placing possessions and money ahead of our salvation.  I say that money is a necessary evil but it should never be given the power to control and dictate who you are or who you serve.  You may be a slave to your job, family, community or convictions but you can only really serve one master.  When you come upon a person who attempts to convince you to go against what you know in your soul is right, you must resist.  Now that does not mean you have to belittle or throw stones at the person, you only need to stand firm and yes love the one who tried to condemn you to hell.  Of course it may be very hard to do because many of us what to fight fire with fire but vengeance is mine sath the Lord.  Standing up for your salvation is not the same as seeking revenge.  The most important lesson that I think you should learn from this chapter is the fact that Jesus lives inside of all of us and because we are mortals, we may find it hard to find him sometimes.  There may be times where we may even think that he has deserted us but the Bible tells us that this is not true that once you have accepted God into your heart, he will forever dwell within us.  You have the power to decide how you will live and who you will serve and if you stumble never fear form Jesus will be your counsel.

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