“Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for
Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year
Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The
disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.”
Acts
11:26
Are
you a Christian or are you Christ-like? Many of you may be reading this and
asking yourself, “What’s the difference?” Aren’t all Christians Christ-like?
The answer, unfortunately, is no.
It
truly grieves me to see the number of people who call themselves Christian, yet
make no real effort to be Christ-like. Initially those words were synonymous,
but sadly today many want the title and benefits of Christianity without the
sacrifice, suffering, and discipline it takes to be like Him.
When
the disciples were first called Christians it was a designation that
distinguished them as those who believed and lived out the teachings of Jesus
Christ. However, it was not a title they
gave themselves. A careful reading of the Book of Acts teaches us that the
early church referred to themselves as believers (Acts 2:44), disciples (Acts
6:1-2), saints (Acts 9:13), and the church or ekklesia (Acts 5:11); but never
did they refer to themselves as Christians.
The
term Christian was bestowed upon them by the Romans as a mean of identifying
them among the various sects and ethnic groups. Some believe that it may have
even carried a negative connotation, but irregardless of its intent, those who
followed Christ had distinguished themselves in such a way as to create a
distinction among the people.
Those
earning the distinction of being a Christian were not authenticated by other
believers, but it was the Gentiles who recognized by speech and behavior those
who held to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
What
a radical thought. Do unbelievers know you are a Christian? Is it because you
tell them you are or are they convinced by your Christ-likeness? Do you follow
the teachings of Christ so closely that you distinguish yourself as being a
disciple of Jesus Christ?
Confessing
to be a Christian without being Christ-like only generates confusion and
projects a distorted image of Jesus Christ.
Pastor
Scott Burr
http://faithandworshipseries.blogspot.com/
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