Acts 11:1 tells us that Jesus' disciples in Antioch were the first to be called Christians. This was a term to describe those who followed the Christ. The term is also synonymous with the expression "Christ-like" meaning to be like Christ. There are many who make the claim to be a Christian, but of those are far too many who never act upon their claim. Hence, "Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked." (1 John 2:6). Thus, if we seek to walk as Jesus walked, we will become Christ-like. Therefore, those who make the claim to be a Christian must learn that they cannot serve two masters. Each of us must choose to either serve the Spirit of God or the spirit of this world. The spirit of this world teaches mankind to practice self-indulgence, religious practice, pagan rituals, and all kinds of other evil practices. Consequently, if one claims they abide in Christ it will walk in the opposite direction of these things. This in no way means we won't struggle as the spirit of this world seeks to keep us down. Instead, we must place our focus on the kingdom of God and seek to do the will of our Father in heaven.
Furthermore, if we desire to be Christ-like we must learn to allow the Holy Spirit to take the reigns of our lives. We must follow the commandments given to us by our Jesus. He said, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. In a little while, the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you. Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him." (John 14:15-21).
Moreover, the Lord did not preach a Gospel that claimed some simple prayer of faith could produce eternal salvation. He taught that we must lose (surrender) our lives in the same way as He did for us to be spiritually reborn. I am not saying we all must die on a cross for all of mankind, that is what our Lord did for us. I am saying that salvation comes through a total surrender of your old life to turn from this world and allow the Spirit to make you a new creation for God's sole purpose. Additionally, Jesus did not teach that to be a good Christian we must go to a church, read the bible, or strive to be a good person. The Church is His Body, He is the Word of God, and He died for each of us because we can never be a good person without outside of Christ. Jesus told us, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness.'" (Matthew 7:21-23). Regrettably, many who make the claim to know Christ because of a simple prayer will find they have no place in the kingdom of heaven come judgement day.
Thus, we must place our entire life in the hands of the Lord and turn away from our lives here on earth to serve the kingdom of heaven. However, we cannot do this in our own strength and Jesus knew this. That is why He foretold us that He would send the Holy Spirit, who is God, to live within each person who makes this full surrender. Be careful to not let anyone deceive you about these truths. The Apostle John tells us, "I have written these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. And as for you, the anointing you received (the Holy Spirit) from Him (Jesus) remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you (those who would intellectualize the truths about eternal life). But just as His true and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, so remain in Him as you have been taught. And now, little children, remain in Him, so that when He appears, we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you also know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him." (1 John 2:26-29). All true born-again Christians must place complete faith in our Lord Jesus Christ knowing the advocate He promised us, the Holy Spirit, lives within us and will guide us each day as we seek to do the will of the Father as we serve the kingdom of heaven.
Furthermore, if we desire to be Christ-like we must learn to allow the Holy Spirit to take the reigns of our lives. We must follow the commandments given to us by our Jesus. He said, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. In a little while, the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you. Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him." (John 14:15-21).
Moreover, the Lord did not preach a Gospel that claimed some simple prayer of faith could produce eternal salvation. He taught that we must lose (surrender) our lives in the same way as He did for us to be spiritually reborn. I am not saying we all must die on a cross for all of mankind, that is what our Lord did for us. I am saying that salvation comes through a total surrender of your old life to turn from this world and allow the Spirit to make you a new creation for God's sole purpose. Additionally, Jesus did not teach that to be a good Christian we must go to a church, read the bible, or strive to be a good person. The Church is His Body, He is the Word of God, and He died for each of us because we can never be a good person without outside of Christ. Jesus told us, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness.'" (Matthew 7:21-23). Regrettably, many who make the claim to know Christ because of a simple prayer will find they have no place in the kingdom of heaven come judgement day.
Thus, we must place our entire life in the hands of the Lord and turn away from our lives here on earth to serve the kingdom of heaven. However, we cannot do this in our own strength and Jesus knew this. That is why He foretold us that He would send the Holy Spirit, who is God, to live within each person who makes this full surrender. Be careful to not let anyone deceive you about these truths. The Apostle John tells us, "I have written these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. And as for you, the anointing you received (the Holy Spirit) from Him (Jesus) remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you (those who would intellectualize the truths about eternal life). But just as His true and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, so remain in Him as you have been taught. And now, little children, remain in Him, so that when He appears, we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you also know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him." (1 John 2:26-29). All true born-again Christians must place complete faith in our Lord Jesus Christ knowing the advocate He promised us, the Holy Spirit, lives within us and will guide us each day as we seek to do the will of the Father as we serve the kingdom of heaven.
