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God Spot
This Christian Resource Blog has been created by a group of friends from around the world. Our purpose is to provide links to useful resources, some commentary on topical or doctrinal issues, a place where anyone can come with questions and a means whereby we can share our faith. And above all, to grow and encourage each other. As Christians, we believe we bear God's image in this world, and seek to glorify God's name in this endeavour. Any Christian who wants to join with us is very welcome!
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Sunday, July 27, 2003

Who Is a Christian? 

What defines a Christian? Born again, certainly (Jesus speaking to Nicodemus, in Jn3 - "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God").

Follower of Christ? (term often used to emphasise a commitment, rather than the sometimes glib "I'm a Christian" which can mean no more than "not muslim, hindu, whatever"). Certainly the disciples were given this tag when Jesus was physically with them and able to be followed in the literal sense. But the term wasn't applied to them after Pentecost.

Because by then they had received a life-changing revelation (Thomas to Jesus: "my Lord and my God!") and a life-changing gift (of the Holy Spirit; Comforter, Helper, Counsellor). Rather than having Jesus with them physically, they now knew the incredible privilege of having God's presence in them, never to leave them! Poor description, "followers", for this new relationship, God's holy and eternal life now within them, their very own, as they yielded control to Him.

So we would define a Christian as someone who has entered into this living relationship with God (Jesus), someone spiritually alive through receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit come to dwell within them. Someone who has appropriated the life of Christ as their own, and who accesses the power of the Holy Spirit by yielding control of their own wills to God's will.

Someone who lives by the example of Christ when he said (Jn14:10) "Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works", and again in Jn5:19 "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise". The example of living in utter dependency on the strength and wisdom of our Father God in every situation.

So in every problem that is too big for us (as well as those within our human capabilities!) the Christian is someone who, in a practical sense, trusts God to work, and in the process thanks Him for His sufficiency, strength and wisdom.

Thus fulfilling the purpose of creation - that we bear God's image, living in a way that shows something of the holy character of God to others.

# posted by geoff @ 1:10 pm

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