CHRISTIAN.

CHRISTIAN.


The word CHRISTIAN is used only three times in the Bible. First time at Antioch for the followers of Jesus. In Acts 11:26 we read, The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. To be a Christian means first  we become the disciple of Christ or a real follower of Christ. Disciple of Jesus means a pupil or follower or a learner   of Jesus Christ the great Master and Lord. Learning was both by listening and watching and imitating what the master is doing in our life. Those who were called apostles were also disciples. Jesus is still calling all the man kind who were weary and burdened to follow Him. In Matthew 11: 28-30 we read, " Come to me, all you who were weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls, For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." To become a disciple of Jesus we need to follow Him, we need to take the yoke and learn from Him and we need to practice it in our day to day life. When we really learn from Him we become humble in heart like Him. When we learn from Jesus we get the wisdom that comes from heaven which is pure, then peace - loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Jesus said you are the light of the world, we need to shine for Jesus and show the way to God through Jesus to the perishing souls. Again Jesus said You are the salt of  the earth, we know the grate work of salt which make taste for our food. Like that we Christians have to give taste to mankind in the earth. This we learn only from Jesus our Master who came to this world ministered here in this world and died for our sins and lives for us and interceding for us.So first the disciples become known as Christians, or in other words to be a Christian we need to be a disciple of Jesus.

Then the word is used in Acts 26:28, Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian ?" Paul is in chains and he is speaking about himself or arguing his own case in front of King Agrippa. During that time also he is evangelizing or sharing the gospel. When a true disciple become a christian he will use all opportunities to share the gospel and make others to become a disciple of Jesus or a Christian. Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved Acts 4:12, we need to declare this truth to others. In Romans 10:9 we see That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord", and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead , you will be saved.Salvation only through Jesus and through faith alone.

Finally the word Christian is used in I Peter 4:16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. There is sufferings in our life but we should not be ashamed of our suffering as Christian. Christ suffered a lot for our sin and salvation. When we compare the sufferings of Christ our sufferings are nothing. We need to rejoice in our sufferings as we participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that we may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. In 2Timothy 3:12 Paul says, in fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. There is persecution and sufferings in our life during that time if we pray and sing and praise God, He will work for us as mentioned in Acts 16:25, in the life of Paul and Silas.

PRAYER:
God our heavenly father, the giver of every good gifts, there is so much for which we ought to give thanks. Thank you for your Son Jesus Christ who died for our sins and through that you adopted us also in your family and the eternal life which you given to us. Thank you for your call and making us  your disciples and worthy to be called as Christians, help us to make others also in to this fellowship of Christians. Help us not to be ashamed in time of sufferings and persecution as a Christian. Give us strength through thy Holy Spirit to rejoice in such times and praise you. Bless us and use us for your glory in this earth. This we ask in the name of our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ. Amen...


I like to hear from my viewers, their comments/corrections/ feed backs so that I can improve in the coming days. Kindly pray for me also as I am ministering here in Karnataka State in India, where we have persecution and sufferings. If the reading of this blog  is a  blessings to you kindly inform me. You can contact me in my e-mail address -   jv15560@gmail.com   -  God bless you all..