Named Christian

Acts 11
26 … And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

The disciples never claimed the title of Christian. To do such a thing would have been considered irreverent and arrogant and most unlike Christ! The label was placed upon those who truly lived like they were following Jesus example. It was not self claimed but self evident!
The church today has reduced the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a mere ticket, purchased at the price of an emotional decision, with no repentance and no commitment. The label of “Christian” is claimed when it should only be earned! We claim the title “Christian” without thought, conviction or cost. The word Christian has been twisted to mean so much that it means nothing! Fellowship has been replaced by community, praise neglected for performance whilst repentance and transformation have been scrapped with a lust for attendance and tithe. So much is labelled “Christian” but it is lifeless, empty, unsatisfying, man glorifying flesh! Call it “Christian” if you like but The Word of God does not call it Godly!

Revelation 3
1 … you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.

God in His Word gives no promise or blessing to the “Christian”. Promises of blessing to God’s people are always made with specification or condition.
The world’s culture of entitlement, pride and rebellion seem to have influenced the church. We claim a label then demand the blessing, treating Jesus like some ticket for heaven that we can stash in our back pocket. This is arrogance and blasphemy. It has the name of Christ but it is utterly dead! There is no life because there is no Christ!

John 3
3 … unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

2 Corinthians 5
17 … if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Only those who are Born Again of The Spirit of God can see and enter the Kingdom of God; Only those who have repented and called upon the name of The Lord; Only those who believe in their heart that Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead and that His Spirit has been sent into our hearts. His sheep are those who know Him and hear His voice, His disciples are those who continue in His word, His people are those who are circumcised of heart and separated from the world.
Beware of merely claiming a label and assuming a blessing. There will be many on the day of judgement to whom He will say ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Matthew 7:22-23)
I am growing ever more careful about any label that man may use. I do not want to be known by the label of my theology, denomination or church building. Let me simply be known as a believer in and disciple/servant/follower of Jesus! I do not want His testimony to be associated with the nonsense and blasphemy that claims His name. Oh Lord may You blow away the chaff and separate your sheep. May You cause the trumpet sound to be clear, establish Your testimony in Your people and expose the flesh that claims Your name! Glorify Yourself once again and cause the nations and to fear and reverence the Almighty, Living, Creator God in His people.

Matthew 7
13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.
14 Because narrow is the gate and narrow is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

The gate is narrow as a man must forsake everything to fit through it! Forsake all sin, all worldliness, all flesh…
The way is as narrow as a man’s shoulders as it is directly behind Christ, walking in HIS WAY, HIS footsteps!! THERE IS NO OTHER WAY!!

Faithful With Very Little

Luke 16
10 Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
…
13 No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
faithful with very little will also be faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.

Faithful is not a title we can claim for ourselves but a characteristic only others can attribute to us. Faithfulness, like love, is proven in action and not bound by fluctuating feelings. Faith without works is dead as love without faithfulness is dead and both are proven in the very little.
The “very little” things are often overlooked or despised. They are thought little of, easily missed and easily forgotten. They are insignificant to most people and beneath others; unglamorous, inconvenient moments of servitude for which no praise or thanks is given. Faithfulness is proved in little minutes and moments of life, in the unseen and unnoticed parts. It is a daily, moment by moment discipline/battle. It would be easy to stop, most people would understand, even encourage you to take it easy and relax!
On the other hand the flesh in me is eager to prove an ability to be faithful in the “much”. The idea of promotion to something greater appeals to my ego, but spiritually, that is to miss the mark entirely. The great vastness of God’s immense love is proven and demonstrated in the very little, consistent daily details of our lives! “His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23. There is great wonder and awe in knowing God spoke all creation into existence in six days but that same voice still faithfully holds all things together and it is in the menial task of caring for each and every sparrow that we get a glimpse of the vastness of His omnipotent love and omniscient care. To have the opportunity to serve our Saviour in the “very little” is far greater testimony of the majesty of God than any notoriety or momentary significance. His tender mercies, loving kindnesses and compassions are seen far more clearly in the very little things that we do for others in His name.
The greatest honour for a man is to be found in faithfulness to God in the least of things. Oh may we be so in love with The Lord that we joy to serve Him faithfully and joyfully in the very little.

1 Corinthians 4
2 Moreover it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.

Luke 18
8 … However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find [this kind of persistent] faith on the earth?”

Evidence of Abiding

Psalm 84
4 Blessed (happy) are those who dwell in Your house and Your presence; they will be singing Your praises all the day long. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

•⁠ ⁠Truly, those in live/abide in the presence of God are rejoicing evermore and giving thanks in all things. It’s like a litmus test… If you want to know those people who are living in the presence of God, look to see the ones who are rejoicing and singing The Lord’s praises all day long! Unfortunately, it seems to be easier to find those who aren’t.
•⁠ ⁠Grasp this principle/truth: Those who live in the presence of God are rejoicing!! They are joyfully singing His praises from the depths of their hearts! They are NOT just singing songs that make them feel! They are declaring HIM! God’s people today are in desperate need to understand the difference between praising and performing! Praise is an offering, a gift of declaration from the heart! It is to sing and shout God’s glory unto Him and to declare the truth from within! God inhabits our praises but abhors our performances!

Exodus 34
29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tables of the Testimony in his hand, he did not know that the skin of his face shone and sent forth beams by reason of his speaking with the Lord.

•⁠ ⁠There was evidence that Moses had been in the presence of God. He had spent so long with The Lord that some of God’s glory had been imparted and was now evident in His appearance.
•⁠ ⁠It is evident when a believer has spent time living in the presence of The Lord. Perhaps there is not the same shining of face as Moses physical appearance but there will most certainly be a shining of the personality in The Spirit of Christ and a beaming character of joy! This evidence is plainly lacking in those who have not spent time with The Lord.
•⁠ ⁠As we spend time in His presence, His glory is imparted to us. The longer we are there, the more intimate the meeting, the more the glory is imparted, the more we will sing His praises! Hallelujah!!
•⁠ ⁠Whatever your circumstance, whatever the trial, whatever the difficulty… If you are not rejoicing, get to Jesus! Get to the presence of God! Abide in Him, practice His presence, be aware of His constant caring… Do not let your mind or heart leave Him! Cast yourself upon His goodness, His promises, His testimonies, His loving kindness and tender mercy…. and stay there; live in the wonder, praise and joy of knowing that you are in Him and that He is in you!
•⁠ ⁠“The only reason we don’t have the spirit of rejoicing is because of unbelief…. If I’m not rejoicing, it’s because of unbelief.” – David Wilkerson