Hobie
Well-Known Member
Here is a article that really hit the nail on the head...Sometimes we can carry the name of Christ but not follow Him. That may be a sharp thing to read, but seriously, we should all check if we truly follow the Lord Jesus Christ. Why is that?
It's because the Lord Jesus Christ Himself gave us a very stern warning in Matthew 7:21-23:
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'"
Today a great many people identify as "Christian" without really knowing what it is to be a Christ-follower. Some think it's just about being loving, while some think it's just about the anointing. Well, all Christ-followers are given the same anointing in the Holy Spirit and are expected to love others, meaning we all need to have both.
The one thing that distinguishes true followers from those who just carry the name, however, is the lifestyle - a lifestyle of obedience to Christ. Here are some ways we show that we are true followers of Christ. These all go together.
1) Obedience to the Father's will
Christ Jesus mentioned in Matthew 7:21 that only those who do the will of His Father in heaven can enter the Kingdom of Heaven. What's that will?
"...that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life..." (see John 6:40)
2) A love for fellow believers
The Lord Jesus also said that one distinguishing mark is the love that Christians have for one another. We read Him saying in John 13:35,
"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.""
3) A love that seeks the lost sheep
Jesus said a shepherd will leave the ninety-nine sheep to look for that one lost sheep, and when he finds it his rejoicing will be so great that he'll call his friends and neighbors to rejoice with him...https://www.christiantoday.com/arti...stinguish-true-followers-of-christ/122092.htm
Luke 15:1-7 King James Version (KJV)
1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
It's because the Lord Jesus Christ Himself gave us a very stern warning in Matthew 7:21-23:
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'"
Today a great many people identify as "Christian" without really knowing what it is to be a Christ-follower. Some think it's just about being loving, while some think it's just about the anointing. Well, all Christ-followers are given the same anointing in the Holy Spirit and are expected to love others, meaning we all need to have both.
The one thing that distinguishes true followers from those who just carry the name, however, is the lifestyle - a lifestyle of obedience to Christ. Here are some ways we show that we are true followers of Christ. These all go together.
1) Obedience to the Father's will
Christ Jesus mentioned in Matthew 7:21 that only those who do the will of His Father in heaven can enter the Kingdom of Heaven. What's that will?
"...that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life..." (see John 6:40)
2) A love for fellow believers
The Lord Jesus also said that one distinguishing mark is the love that Christians have for one another. We read Him saying in John 13:35,
"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.""
3) A love that seeks the lost sheep
Jesus said a shepherd will leave the ninety-nine sheep to look for that one lost sheep, and when he finds it his rejoicing will be so great that he'll call his friends and neighbors to rejoice with him...https://www.christiantoday.com/arti...stinguish-true-followers-of-christ/122092.htm
Luke 15:1-7 King James Version (KJV)
1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.