Newsletter--- September, 2008

Why Are You a Christian?

What is a Christian?

It is said that we all do things for our own reasons. Many reasons are offered to entice us to be Christians. Some are noble – to help people and to lead them to God. Some are selfish – to have honour and position in the world, or to attain wealth. But God has His reasons for giving this opportunity to follow in the footsteps of His Son. Only those who's personal reasons match those of God will prove acceptable in the end.

The name Christian was first applied to the followers of Jesus at Antioch (Acts 11:26). Another name for them is the church. The word church, or ecclesia, means called out ones. Jesus said this of His followers (John 15:19) “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”

Jesus also identified who would be considered His true followers in John 8:31: “...If ye continue in my word, [then] are ye my disciples indeed...”. We also read “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. ” (Matt. 16:24,25)

So we see that the life of a true Christian is one of self denial and sacrifice. Along with that is an explicit faith in God and Christ, and obedience to His will in all things. Ultimately one is either a self-centred or Christ-centred Christian. This does not mean that one must live a beggarly life. What it does mean is that all one has and does must be used and done to God's glory, according to His way and His word – not our own, or anyone else's (1 Corinthians 10:31). This then is the attitude one must have, and the type of life that one must lead, to be a proper Christian. But why did God make this arrangement in the first place?

Why Christianity?

On the surface this may seem a strange question. But do we truly understand why Christianity exists? We know that Jesus gave His life for the world (John 6:51). We are also told that His sacrifice was sufficient for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). We are further told that he received all power in heaven and in earth (Matt. 28:18) for His faithfulness and obedience unto death – even the death of the cross.

So why has God delayed the blessings to the world when Jesus has already paid the price and has all power to accomplish the work? The Apostle tells us the reason in Colossians 1:26,27. He says this is the mystery that was hidden from ages and from generations. It was the hidden part of God's plan that Jesus would not be alone, but that He would have 144,000 faithful followers who would be tested and tried as he was, and would receive the same reward – glory, honour, and immortality. These followers are pictured many ways in Scripture – as His body (1 Corinthians 12:12-27), and His bride (Revelation 21:2-9), to name a couple.

This is the reason why God's plan for the salvation for the human race has seemed to be delayed. It has not been delayed. It is unfolding as God planned. Too many have been deceived by the idea that only those who follow Christ now will be saved. This is a time of salvation. But it is only intended for those who will follow Jesus faithfully, even unto death. These will become part of His body, His Bride.

But God's plan of salvation doesn't end there. Once this part is accomplished and the 144,000 have been called, chosen, and faithful, then the plan of God will enter the next phase. That phase will be the salvation of the rest of humanity. This is what the Bible calls the times of restitution - the restitution of the human family to the perfection, life, and fellowship with God that Adam and Eve had in Eden.

Restitution

This topic of restitution is so important that the Apostle Peter tells us that it was that “...which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began ...” (Acts 3:19-21).

God had promised to Adam and Eve that there would be a deliverer – a seed. It was told that this deliverer, born of a woman, would bruise the serpent's head, destroy him - and by extension the harm he had caused by leading humanity into sin and death (Genesis 3:15).

It was promised to Abraham that his seed would bless all the families of the earth (Genesis 22:16-18). The Apostle Paul, in Galatians 3:16 identifies just who that seed is: “He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.” Notice that the promise to Abraham said “all” the families of the earth. This fact, that all of fallen humanity would be saved and blessed is stated another way by Jesus when He said “...for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth ...” (John 5:28,29). And speaking of the sacrifice made by Jesus on the cross we find in 1 Timothy 2:4-6 that He, that is Jesus, “... gave himself a ransom (corresponding price) for all, to be testified in due time ...”.

So we see that God's plan includes the salvation for all of humanity, not just those who accept Christ as their Saviour now. We see that the followers of Jesus have a wonderful opportunity to gain part in being that seed which will bless all the families of the earth. But we also see that there is promised blessing for all the rest of humanity in the promised times of restitution. All will come forth from the grave and be given the opportunity to reclaim the lost perfection that Adam and Eve once had.

Why Are You a Christian?

So let us review the reasons God has for Christianity – for those who would be of Christ's body, His bride. Then we can each decide for ourselves if we are in accord with them.

First, it was God's intention that each one would be conformed to the image of His son (Romans 8:29). Jesus loved His father, God, and His law, supremely. We read of Him in Psalms 40:7,8, “Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book [it is] written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law [is] within my heart.”

Second, it is required that we be willing to deny ourselves – all of our earthly hopes, aims, and ambitions – take up our cross daily, in self sacrifice, and follow Christ wherever He leads us (Revelation 14:4).

It is also required that we be faithful in all these things, even unto death (Rev. 2:10). What is the reward for this faithfulness and obedience?

God promised that all those who proved faithful unto the end would receive glory, honour, and immortality – the divine nature (Romans 2:7; 1 Corinthians 15:49-54; 2 Peter 1:3,4). Not only would they experience a change of nature – from human to spirit being – but would also partake of the divine nature, and the immortality – death proof state – that belongs to the divine alone.

It was also promised that they would be a part of that seed which is to fulfil the promise of God to bless all the families of the earth, all who have lived - Adam, Eve, and all their children.

The Apostle also shows that in the ages to come God would use these faithful ones for yet untold blessings throughout all His creation (Ephesians 1:8-12; 2:6,7).

Jesus spoke of a group who would come to Him, claiming to be His followers. But it would be shown that they were following their own plans and purposes. We read in Matthew 7:21-23 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

So let us consider ourselves. Let us examine our hearts and motives by the word of God to see if we are Christians for the right reasons – those that will be approved of God. Then in due time we will hear: “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (Matthew 25:23)

For more to consider on this subject we invite you to send for the free booklet

Why Are You a Christian?