KEY SCRIPTURE: Phil 3:3 KJV” For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”

Apostle Paul demonstrated the kind of life that proved beyond any reasonable doubt that he was a Christian. Some have tried to argue that the people of God should not be called Christians, but sons of God or followers of God. I think this is neither here nor there. The term Christian means like Christ, and that is the best revelation of the people of God according to the Pauline revelations of Jesus Christ. The fact that many people call themselves Christians and do not even understand what they are talking about does not mean the term is wrong. We are one with Jesus. We are like Him in every way. This is indeed the right description of the people of Christ.

We go back to our topic of consideration: who is a Christian? From our key scripture, the writer says we are the circumcision: this talks about a physical sign done in the body that associates the Jewish people to God, but that aspect was not his focus. The Christian is not primarily about what you do in the flesh, but a spiritual relationship. He said we worship in the Spirit. This is a spiritual knowledge of Jesus in truth 2 Corinthians 5:16 KJV” Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.” To know the Lord in the Spirit is to know Him in reality. It is sad to have just a mental knowledge of Jesus. The scripture teaches in 1st Corinthians 1:21 that man by wisdom knew not God. We can only know Jesus in reality by faith, that is, knowing Him in reality or by the Spirit

The apostle Paul added that we rejoice in Him. The next sign of one who is a true Christian is the joy of knowing Him in reality. This joy is the basis for a victorious life. The scripture teaches that with joy we shall draw water out of the Wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:3 Without this joy, all we do is superficial. The scripture also teaches that Rom 14:17 KJV” For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” The joy in the heart of the believer is a true sign that he has a relationship with Jesus.  Oh, how hard it is for the many who are trying to lead this Christian life without the joy of the Spirit. They struggle to worship, struggle to lead upright lives, and struggle to pay their tithe. They are hurting under all kinds of offences others might have meted out to them, while the man with a relationship with Jesus says Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing? TO SAY IT SIMPLY: THE TRUE CHRISTIAN HAS A JOYFUL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS.

Are you a Christian? Do you have that joy of knowing and serving the master? Please be sincere with yourself. If your walk with Jesus has not been with Joy, then you probably do not know him at all.

Call upon him right now. Ask Him to come into your life, repent of your works, and submit to His Lordship Today.

FURTHER STUDIES

Phi 1:21 KJV” For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

1 Peter 1:8 KJV” Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:”