(Acts 11:26)…..And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
So here is a question for the ages. One that probably should be asked more often than not – especially in the times we are in today. With so many people in the world claiming to be Christians, while not walking as one and causing more confusion a reason for unbelief, I think it is important to ask, “What does a Christian look like?” Well, the Scriptures (the Bible) will tell us.
Open your Bible and read – (1 John 2:3-10). Those who are Heaven-born are Heaven-bound and bear certain traits or birthmarks. If we do not bear these birthmarks, then we need to evaluate and ask ourselves if we have ever truly trusted Jesus as Lord.
A true believer submits to the Lordship of Jesus Christ – (1 John 2:3-4) (Acts 16:31) (Romans 10:9) (Luke 6:46). To keep His commandments does mean that we are to be perfect. The word “keep” in (1 John 2:3) means to guard, as you would guard a treasure; we are to treasure God’s commandments and set our course in life by keeping the commandments. This does not mean that we will not stumble; but if we have no desire to live by the Word of God and we sin carelessly, flippantly, and without any conviction, then we need the salvation that Jesus offers. We keep His commandments, not in order to be saved, but because we love Him (John 14:15) (John 14:21).
A true believer seeks the lifestyle of Jesus Christ (1 John 2:5-6). We are to walk as Jesus walked (1 John 4:17). What was the lifestyle of Jesus like? It’s a life of honesty (1 John 1:6-7). It’s a life of purity (1 John 3:3). It’s a life of righteousness (1 John 3:7). We seek the lifestyle of Jesus by abiding (1 John 2:6). What does it mean to abide (John 15:5)? It means to have a life of reliance upon Jesus. A life of relinquishment to Jesus.
A true believer shares the love of Jesus Christ (1 John 2:9-10) (John 13:34). Jesus doesn’t love us because we’re lovely; He simply loves us.
So if a person is saved, it will show in his/her life. We are not saved by keeping the commandments; we are not saved by walking as Jesus walked; we are not saved by loving our brother; but if we are saved, these things will be present in our lives.
