Are You A Christian? Part 2

We are continuing to look at some of the marks of a Christian according to God's Word.

The next mark Paul mentions is that of being hopeful. This again comes from the last words of verse 4. Paul says, "that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." The world has no real hope. The world is without God and Christ. It is the Christian who has hope for all the good in the present time and hope for that world to come. Hope, for the Christian, is "the anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast," (Heb. 6)

The storms of this life will surely come, but just as the anchor holds the ship steady, so hope, our desire and expectation for good things in the future, will hold us sure and steadfast.

The next mark of a Christian is his being peaceful. This comes from verse 5 of Romans 15. Paul says, "Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus."

The Christian is one who works for unity. Notice Paul said 'like-minded.' The Christian is not looking to divide people, but to unite them. There is enough division between nations and within nations. There is enough division between families and within families. There is certainly enough division between churches and within churches. The Christian is the one, among so many pretenders, who is working to bring unity to those around him.

The next mark Paul mentions is that the Christian is worshipful. Notice verse 6, "that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." The Christian is one who worships. The church worships and the church is made up of Christians. The Christian lives his life in the very presence of God and the acknowledgement of Him.

There are time he worships privately. There are God's set times for him to worship in the assembly (Heb.10). Worship is our reaching up to God. It is the picture of a child on tiptoes, reaching out for the one he trusts to meet his every need. A Christian who does not worship is like a farmer who does not farm. A man is a farmer because of what he does and not where he lives. A Christian worships.

The next mark of a Christian is one who is joyful. In verse 13 Paul uses three words to describe or identify the Christian; joy, peace and power. Paul says , "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy..."
The Christian is one who can rejoice even in the face of adversity. Why? Because of who he is and to whom he belongs. Philippians 4:4 reminds us, "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!"

The Christian is the world's truly happy man. His life is on target. His relationship with God is genuine. His eternal destiny is sealed. He is a person of joy in spite of...!
In this same verse Paul shows us another mark as he uses the word peace. He says, "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing," There is an inner peace in the life of a Christian because of who he now is.

In Philippians 4:6-7 Paul said, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (7) and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

The Christian lives and breathes peace. Storms may rage around him, but at the center of his being there is peace. Why does he have this peace? Simply because he has peace with God. When there is peace with God there is peace within. When we look within ourselves we may find, at times, that we have the same anxieties as those who do not know God or do not claim to know Him. The Christian should have peace within and be able to rejoice always.

The next mark Paul mentions is that of being powerful. Again from verse 13, "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." God has not left His children alone in this world.

In Ephesians 3:16 Paul prayed for the Ephesian Christians that they might be able "to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man." God strengthens with His dynamite, His power, each of us who wants to live the Christian life so we might live successfully. If you want to be a Christian you can be one. God will help you. 

Sometimes a person will make this statement, "I'd like to be a Christian, but I'm not sure that I can live the Christian life. I am going to first see if I can live right, and if I can, then I will become a Christian."
That will never work because if a man could live right without being a Christian, he would never need to become one. When a person enters the Christian life, it is God who helps him to be successful. He forgives him when he sins (1 John 1:7) He delivers him from temptation so he has no burden greater than he could ever bear on his own. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

The next mark Paul mentions is that of being dutiful. From Romans 15:13 we read, "For even Christ did not please Himself..." I saved this one for last because it seems to bring everything together.

What is implied here? He is saying that we are to follow the example of Christ. That's what a Christian is. He is one who is trying daily to become more like Christ. He is trying to follow His example. Philippians 2:5 says, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus..." 

In 1 Peter 2:21 Peter said He has left us an example that we should follow in His steps. In our response to God, in our response to others, in our response to life itself, we are to be like Him.

When a person dies to sin, is buried with Christ, and is raised to walk in that newness of life, when he obeys The Gospel of Christ, and when these characteristics of Romans 15 begin to be a part of his life, we may point to that person and and say from a Biblical perspective that that man or woman is a "Christian."

Now go do the right thing!