"WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A CHRISTIAN?"

June 17  What Does It Mean To Be A Christian  1 John 2:4-6

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.”  (1 John 2:4-6)

What does it mean to be a Christian?  I can tell you, right now; if you follow man’s standard, you will be bound for Hell!  Many have said that they were Christians, but it is more than just saying it.  Being a Christian is going to cost you!  Now, salvation is free to us, however, it cost Christ His life.  He paid the full price for our sins.  Daddy used to tell his church folks that, “it will cost you to follow Jesus!”  If someone tells you that you can be a “REAL” Christian with no cost to you, they are ignorant or a liar!  Romans 12:1-2 teaches that it will cost us.  “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.”  You see; some say that they have accepted Christ; yet, their lives are far from “Christ-Like!”  How many of us expect the benefits of a true believer without the investment (costs) in Bible Study, Prayer, and Witnessing?  I used to ask Daddy, “Why is it that there are some, in church, that seem to be dedicated to God and there are some that do not?”   I have told you before, that Daddy liked to teach me valuable lessons by telling stories and he told one to me that I remember to this day.  He say, “Son, the Churches are full of two kinds of people—the “Saints” and the “Aints!”  The “Saints” do their best to follow what God’s word tells them to do.  The “Aints” say, “You aint going to tell me how to live my life, I’ll do like I please!”  Folks, if we are to genuinely please God, we simply cannot live in the sins of this world.  We have to overcome the fleshly desires and the lust of our eyes and the earthly human pride.  In Revelation 21:7, it says, “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”  So, what does it mean to be a Christian, according to the Bible?  It means that you have accepted the price that He paid for you to be saved, but now you are willing to pay the price of being a Christian.  Because Christ was who He was and stood for what He stood for, it cost Him His life!  So now, it is going to cost you more than just having your name written on the church roll book, and doing a few good deeds, every now and then, to be a Christian!  Colossians 3:5-10 sums it up: “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which, ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:”  I am excited that my name is written in the “LAMB’S BOOK OF LIFE” and I am claiming His promises and asking the Holy Spirit to guide me and control me, so that I can be, as in Daddy’s story, a “SAINT,” and not an “AINT!” Are you willing to pay the price?  Which one are you, a “SAINT,” or an “AINT?”   What God does with you, depends upon what you do!  It Always has, It Always will!!  To God Be the Glory!  Stay Strong, Stay Focused…Remember, THE BEST IS YET TO BE!