Who is a Christian, really?

Among the various religions of this world, Christianity claims approximately 1.9 billion adherents. When one closely examines just who these people are, the stunning variety of subgroupings within Christianity is bewildering.

Since modern Christianity claims its origins from the Bible, it would seem to follow that most would believe and practice what the Bible teaches. However, that simply is not the case!

In anticipation of world conditions that would be extant shortly before His return to the earth, Jesus Christ warned His disciples of sweeping religious confusion: “‘For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect'” (Matthew 24:24).

On a global scale, there is no question that confusion and deception account for what now presents itself as Christianity. Almost everyone proclaims that they, alone, are the “true believers.” This self-appraisal can be blindingly dangerous if wrong. Jesus cautioned those who would follow Him with these words: ” ‘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!’ ” (Matthew 7:21-23).

Against this backdrop of widespread deception and self-delusion, a much smaller group of Christians is identified in the Bible. As cited in Matthew 24, Jesus spoke of them as “the elect.” These are the few who truly uphold the teachings of Jesus. These are also the ones who are not deceived. And yet, the elect must be very circumspect as well!

Paul, who was, without question, one of these “elect,” was careful to warn of counterfeit Christianity seeking to overwhelm true Christians: “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

By drawing close to God through humble obedience to what He reveals in His Word, the Bible, the elect of this generation can prevail. Note this further teaching from Jesus: ” ‘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. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are FEW who find it’ ” (Matthew 7:13-14).

For those who also would be a part of the “elect,” it is vitally important to continually examine their own lives, and perhaps we should also ask ourselves: “Am I a Christian, REALLY?”

We are told in 2 Corinthians 5:20 that we are ambassadors for Christ. Just what is an ambassador? Briefly summarized, an ambassador represents his country and his country’s leader to other nations and their heads of state.

An ambassador needs to be mature and respected — one who is familiar with the customs, laws and regulations of his nation which he is to represent to others.

As we have seen, Paul admonishes US to be ambassadors FOR CHRIST. Let us ask ourselves, then, how are we doing in our role as ambassadors? Are we mature and respected Christians — well rounded and familiar with the customs, laws and regulations of God, as revealed in His Word, the Bible? If we are not, then we are falling short of our responsibilities as Christ’s ambassadors that He, the living head of His Church, bestowed upon us.

Notice, it doesn’t say that we are to become ambassadors — or we that we are to fulfill roles similar to those of ambassadors. Rather, we are told that we ARE Christ’s ambassadors. With that responsibility given to us, it behooves us to be very familiar with God’s laws and the application of God’s laws in our lives. We need to diligently follow Paul’s admonition to Timothy: “Study [God’s Word] to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15, Authorized Version).

The Bible gives us many examples that we need to emulate in our roles as ambassadors. It is important, as Paul continued to point out in 2 Corinthians 5:20, that, in order to be effective ambassadors for Christ, we are to “be reconciled to God.”

We cannot be reconciled to God unless we put sins out of our lives. Sins, unrepented of, cut us off from God (compare Isaiah 59:1-2) and therefore become a barrier to developing that close relationship with God, that we need to have to be effective ambassadors for Christ. Rather than refusing to repent, we are to draw near to God, and He will draw near to us (compare James 4:8, first sentence). We do so, when we cleanse our hands and purify our hearts (compare James 4:8, second sentence). This is how we can “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” as we are admonished to do in 2 Peter 3:18.

As we approach the Passover season, let us examine and test ourselves (1 Corinthians 11:28; 2 Corinthians 13:5), whether we are truly in the faith and whether Jesus Christ is mightily living in us. We can only be effective ambassadors, if Christ lives in us, leading and directing our lives. Christ will only live, and continue to live within us, however, if we are diligent to overcome our sins, as God and Christ will not dwell with sin (compare Deuteronomy 23:10-14). Let us therefore draw near to God by repenting and forsaking our sins, and by cleansing and purifying our hearts. When we do this, we will be faithfully fulfilling our roles as ambassadors for Christ.

Human as we are, we probably have all suffered times of humiliation. Shame and disgrace in the eyes of friend or foe are never pleasant experiences.

When evil despots lose power or when selfishly ambitious leaders in society have their unlawful acts revealed, few mourn for them.

Among people there always seem to be those who seek to exalt themselves. While this occurs at the expense of others, the individual who acts in such a manner faces certain humiliation.

This understanding is central to the teachings of Jesus Christ. We find one such example in the 23rd chapter of Matthew. The focus of His lesson is in verse 12: ” ‘And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.’ “

In this instance, Jesus taught that the scribes and the Pharisees were consumed with their own self-importance instead of setting right examples and walking in obedience to the pattern of life that God had established through Moses.

In another example found in Luke 14, Jesus took note of those who chose the best places. He then explains how we can avoid humiliation (verses 8-9). Also, in verse 10, Jesus gives us this instruction: ” ‘But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you.’ “

This is the same way in which we must approach God. In contrasting the difference in approach by both a Pharisee and a tax collector in their prayers, Jesus shows that only the one who was humble was heard: ” ‘I tell you, this man [the tax collector] went down to his house justified rather than the other [the Pharisee]; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted’ ” (Luke 18:14).

Throughout the Bible, the examples of those who exalted themselves, only to end up in disappointment and loss, stand in striking difference to those who lived their lives committed to obeying God and awaiting His magnificent promises.

We have the choice as to whether we humble ourselves or exalt ourselves leading to our own humiliation. In making that choice, we will do well to always consider God’s view in the matter: ” ‘But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word’ ” (Isaiah 66:2).