Bro. Frank McElveen

What is a Christian?

What is a Christian? What does it mean to be a Christian? This question has puzzled thousands of people who, because of their inability to answer it, have gone blindly in life. A study of the New Testament will answer our question. So great and comprehensive a subject cannot be covered in a single definition.

• I. To be a Christian is to become one with Christ in his suffering and humiliation. The inspired writer of Hebrews reminds that since it is true that Jesus himself voluntary suffered for our sake, without the gate of Jerusalem, all the pain, shame, and reproach of the cross; and since it is also true that his sacrifice is the only one that can meet and satisfy the wants and desires of our souls, let us therefore courageously follow him without the pale of Jerusalem, which is but as it were a temporary camp that will soon be broken up; and let us manually bear the reproach of Christ whatever it may be. (Heb. 13:12,13)

True Christians have to suffer for his name sake, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (II Tim. 3:12) According to the writings of Paul here, the ones who do not suffer persecution are the ones who are not living godly. When you live godly in Christ Jesus, persecutions follow as naturally as light follow darkness. We ought to count it a joy that we are though worthy to suffer for his name, “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed: but let him glorify God on this behalf.” (I Peter 4:16) “ Again Peter said: Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the Name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God reseteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” (I Peter 4:12-14) Peter is saying the fiery trial of persecution was not a thing alien or foreign to their profession, it was their home portion in this life, its design being to prove (test) them. In all of this he said “rejoice.” Why? Because of the assurance that such suffering will secure for them participation in his glory in the by and by. Listen to the words of our Lord, Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

• II. A Christian is one that has committed his life completely to Jesus Christ. The great thing is that you now belong to Christ. We must surrender our wills, every appetite and passion must be subjected to the will and control of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Eph. 4:20-24) The greatest victory we can ever achieve comes when we surrender to the Captain of our salvation. (Heb. 2:10)

“All to Jesus I surrender,

Humbly at His feet I bow,

Worldly pleasures all forsaken,

Taken me Jesus, take me now.”

• III. The Privilege of the Christian—the unique privilege of the Christian is that he is related to God. Let us consider this relationship.

• 1. We become sheep in His fold (St. John 1). The Good Shepherd affords his children food and protection. All who enter by him in the way ordained by God are saved and never be lost unless they cease to continue to hear and obey his voice. “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, if ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.” (St. John 8:31)
• 2. As a Christian we are branches in the Vine (St. John 15). As branches, we are dependent upon him for life and strength, development and growth. Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me (Philippians 4:13).
• 3. We are soldiers in the army of the Lord as we fight the good fight of faith in a warfare that is not carnal (Eph. 6:10-17, I Tim. 6:12, II Cor. 10:3-5). Let us be a good soldier in the Lord’s army.
• 4. Christ is our High Priest—as we in the royal priesthood serve him diligently (Heb. 7:26, I Peter 2:9), we should all rejoice to be Christian.

Read Part 2 next week.

By Bro. Frank McElveen