The world’s largest religion is called “Christianity.” That includes all faiths affiliated with Jesus Christ in one way or another. This also includes groups who do not believe the Bible is God’s living word. It includes very socially Conservative groups, Orthodox, Catholic, Evangelical and even cultish faith groups.
But what is a real Christian? In the Bible, from New Testament practice, from the original followers of Jesus, what was Christianity? What did it look like back then?
The early followers of Jesus did not take that title or name. They were just followers of the person and teachings of Jesus Christ and they imitated his life and influence.
Those who observed the behavior of Christ-followers were the first to call the believers or disciples of Jesus “Christians.” The Roman political leadership also used the term “Christian” but as a derogatory term. It meant “one of those.”
The word Christ means “anointed.” You could say that the early “Christians” were followers of the “anointed one.” That made them very different from general society.
Think about it. A “Christian” believed in Jesus as the Messiah, the Savior of the world, the only one who could forgive sins, the only way to eternal life. In a personal way they had a personal relationship with Jesus through placing their faith in him. That relationship was as real as the person physically standing beside them. But the Christian also chose to follow, to practice and to preach the teachings of Jesus, to treat people as Jesus did, and to abandon behaviors condemned in the Bible as sin.
Think about it. A “Christian” believed in Jesus as the Messiah, the Savior of the world, the only one who could forgive sins, the only way to eternal life.
Their very lives convicted the heathen degenerate society in which they lived. Sometimes today people speak of the degeneration of modern society and the depravity, evil, and deceitfulness of modern man. Society was even worse back then. The difference was even greater.
What a contrast the early Christians were! Following Jesus as their Messiah, loving each other, and worshipping sincerely a risen Savior. Loving each other, praying over sick people and seeing them healed, driving out demons that plagued mankind. Obeying the authority, unless that authority ordered them to do what was against the Bible and teachings of Jesus.
The society of that time needed a name for these radical followers of Jesus – so they just called them “christians” literally little Christs.
My question today is this. Are you a Christian? Could anyone tell that you are one by the way you live? If you attend a local church, do your fellow believers see you as a sincere Christ-follower? Or are you merely a Christian in name.
Even more basic, have you placed your faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins? Has that faith in Christ, resulted in real change in your life?
That transformed life should be the life we seek through relationship with Christ!
Let’s be real Christians!
