KEY SCRIPTURE: Acts 11:26 KJV” And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught many people. The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Is this a realistic question to ask at a time like this? Before Christianity became popular around the third century, this would not have been an issue to enquire about. Everyone who called himself or herself a Christian was indeed one. Most of the people who accepted to be Christian were people who were ready for martyrdom, that is, they were ready to die for what they believed. The bible said they overcame the devil because they loved not their lives, even unto death. Rev 12:11c. The type of Christianity we have these days is predominantly variant from this one. I ask again, who is a Christian?

The very first point is that a Christian believes in God, the creator of heaven and earth, whose Son is Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the whole earth. Gen 1:1,2.

The next point is that he has believed in Jesus, the Son of God, as his Saviour through His death, burial, and resurrection, as well as making him the Lord over his life.1 Corinthians 15:2-4

He lives to please Jesus. If you live to please yourself, then you are not a Christian at all

The Christian has encountered the new birth that makes him a new creature, with the old completely gone. 2nd Corinthians 5:17 He lives by faith of Jesus Gal 2:20.

The Christian has repented of his old ways and now walks on the path of righteousness. He also knows that by the grace of God, sin has no power over him.  (Rom 6:14)

The Christian has a dislike for sin and hates to sin, and will feel very uneasy when he sins, so he would quickly confess and forsake it. Prov 28:13 Anyone who is not seriously convicted about sin, and loves to live in it, has lost his spiritual sensitivity, and so is in his sins; he is not a Christian.

The Christian grows in his longing for the word of God, as well as a desire to pray.1 Pet 2:12, 1 Thess 5:17.

Dear Christian, if you are always moved to watch a worldly video program or something of fleshly amusement rather than pray, read your bible, or go out to win souls, then you might not be a Christian in the first place. The Christian is filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit, Eph 5:18.

The Christian loves to join other Christians’ fellowship and worship the Lord. Heb 10:25, You can’t claim to be a Christian, yet you do not fellowship with other Christians. You are deceiving yourself

The Christian is filled with a sincere love for God and his fellow men. He easily forgives those who offend him and is also ready to share with those in need what he has. Heb 13:11 If you can’t forgive your offenders, then you may not have the Spirit of Christ.

The Christian has faith in God and is at rest within his heart, irrespective of challenging situations that may be prevailing around him. Heb 4:2-4.

The Christian has taken up his cross, and Jesus is first in his life. He lives with one purpose: to glorify Jesus in all he does. Luke 14:26-27. If you do not love Jesus above your very self, then you are not His disciple.

Christians are kind-hearted people, always ready to put a smile on the faces of the sad.

The Christian who is not other-inclined or places others before himself is either a fleshly one or not a Christian at all.1 Corinthians 13:4-8

The Christian has received the ability to heal the sick through faith in the name of Jesus. Mark 16:15-19,  Acts 3:16.

The Christian believes that the Lord Jesus would come back to rapture the church, that is, those who are ready for Him, and those who are not ready would be left behind to face the horrors of the tribulation.2 Thess 2:1-17.

Dear reader, have you partaken of Christ? You might have been going to church for so many years, yet today you have realised you were not a real Christian. Do not be shy to pray now, by asking Jesus to be the Lord over your life. Repent of your sins and choose to follow Him in truth.

FURTHER STUDIES

Titus 2:11 KJV” For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”

2Pet 1:8 KJV” For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”