What makes a Christian – part 2

Christians are not the hunted but the hunters— not the attacked but the attackers! We are not the surrounded. We do not have our backs up against a wall. Far from it! We are God’s elite troops, sent to release the hostages of hell! We are the invading forces of the Lord!

Quote – Daniel kolenda – Christ for all nations

Does that sound like the tagline of a Christian today? Maybe it sounds like the greats such as Billy Graham or Dwight L. Moody, but to the “average Joe” as some might say, it does not sound like a Christian but only one who is a renown preacher, evangelist or prophet.

Jesus said the following to his disciples in John 14:12 Very truly I telly you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the father.

Seriously? So the Christian will be used by God to heal the sick, raise the dead and maybe turn water into wine? Jesus is the truth so he does not lie when he says these things, so why are we not seeing Christian’s doing these things just like the first disciples or some of the greats throughout the ages?

One of the main reasons we are not seeing it is because of the flesh. We are called to walk in the Spirit so we do not gratify the desires of the flesh (Galations 5:16) what are those freshly desires? It is the “I wants” that oppose what God wants and take his place in our lives, the pride of earthly things, and this comes in many forms. If then we are full of the flesh, how can we also be filled with Holy Spirit and move in the power of God?

A Christian therefore is not just someone who claims to be a Christian. I can say I’m good at basketball but if you saw me play you will know that I’m terrible and that what I said was not true. A Christian will have a new nature about them, and this begins from believing and trusting in Jesus Christ for salvation. It is the belief that begins to shape all other areas, because to trust him as Lord and saviour must mean that all else he said can be trusted too.

Once the Christian understands this they are then able to oppose the schemes of the enemy, stand strong amidst adversity and love even if the world hates them.

This is the victory that has overcome the world, our faith (1 John 5:4)

The Christian can walk boldly through life because the victory has been won and they have the faith that has overcome the world.

Next let’s see how this will begin to take shape in the life of the Christian. I will give an example of when I left drugs and followed Christ.

Love and God bless

Dean

What makes a Christian? Part 1

In December 2018 Eurostats Eurobarameter survey discovered that 53% of the UK population is Christian. Looking at the track record of church membership over the last 18 months there is no doubt this number has changed, and not to a higher percentage.

As someone who is British, lived in Britain for 28 years (before all the Brexit drama) and attended a C of E school, I understand why some people would say they are Christian but actually are not.

Let me explain. Over the last few years as a Christian I have had conversations with people who would openly say “I’m a christian”. Yet when they explain how, they usually say its 1) my parents are Christians and I was baptised as a child 2) I went to church when I was younger 3) I went to a Christian school or 4) well, we are a Christian nation so I guess I’m Christian.

This is just a few examples of what many believe makes a Christian, but something in seriously wrong.

Let’s look at where the name Christian originated. It started during the time of the apostles (the book of Acts) acts 11:26 When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of the stated with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was Antioch that the believers were first called Christians).

The apostles held deeply to the teachings of Jesus and to his Lordship. They believed Jesus Christ is the son of God and that through his blood mankind can find forgiveness. They believed this so intensely that 10 out of 12 of them were martyred and the church was built on their witness.

So when someone says, “I’m a Christian”, I wonder if they realize the depths of this confession. They are aligning themselves with the way of the apostles and the teachings of Christ. So this begs the question, if the percentage of Christian’s is really 53%, perhaps less now, then would they agree with all that Jesus Christ said and done?

One thing for sure is that being a Christian is not something that is inherited, but is a personal commitment that one makes. It comes down to a conscious choice and an active belief that is evident in a transformed life.

This post is intended to go deeper into the word “Christian” and its meaning and origin. In the next post we will look at some of the things Jesus said and if this looks like the modern day Christian’s approach to what they believe when they say, “I’m a Christian”.

Love and God bless

Diamonds are formed under pressure

Life can feel like being stuck inside a pressure cooker. Our schedule is stuffed like a Christmas turkey, work papers are higher than the burj Khalifa and family and friends want to take more of our time than there is hours in the day. It really can get pretty crazy.

How do we deal with pressure? Some crumble under it and have a nervous breakdown, yet some are able to thrive. Why the difference?

It all has to do with how you approach the situation. You have problem seekers and problem solvers aka positive people and negative people. Some see every situation as another hurdle to overcome while others see it as a mountain that is impossible to climb. It all has to do with your perspective on the situation.

If there is one man in history who sets the example of how to deal with pressure, that man is jesus.

Think about his life and ministry for a moment. Everywhere he went people wanted to hear him speak or be healed; he was apposed by religious leaders, rejected by his own people, tempted by the devil himself while in the midst of all this he spent alone time with his heavenly father, trained his disciples and then endured the horrors of the cross. He really knew how to deal with pressure.

What was his secret? He knew where his source of strength came from. To know that even Jesus had to seek alone time with his father should indicate the necessity of this time. Big decisions were made after this time alone, such as choosing the 12 disciples Luke 6:12-13. This alone time equipped him with strength for whatever task was at hand.

Now compared to dying on a cross to save humanity our problems are pretty small. Nevertheless, they are not insignificant and God is still concerned about them. Whether you have miss-behaved children that you are trying to teach Gods ways, or a work situation that is bigger than yourself, God is concerned.

God allows these pressures in your life to build character and faith. Diamonds are formed in darkness under the earth because of the intense pressure of the earths weight over a long period of time. Children of God become as strong as Diamonds as they go through the trials of life. These moments produce faith that is more precious than gold 1 Peter 1:7

Whatever you are facing today, and many are facing very difficult situations with the virus and lockdowns. Use this special time we have been given to seek God almighty. Prayer is a mighty weapon against the enemy along with the word of God. Learn how to use these weapons. You may be facing a financial crisis right now and are out of your depth, take this to God for he cares for you.

James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Prayer: Heavenly father, help me this day to find my strength in you. That I may be able to overcome whatever I face and that it may be a powerful testimony of your goodness to those around me. In Jesus name, amen.

Love and God bless