How to Be a True Christian

part 4

The Daily Life of A True Christian


Then Jesus said unto his disciples, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matthew 16:24

Jesus thus declared, a follower of his (A True Christian) must be willing to give up his own natural human life existence in exchange for a spiritual life existence as a spiritual son/daughter of God, living a spiritual existence in the spiritual realm which he termed the kingdom of God. He said this choice was worth more than gaining the whole world. The end result being eternal life in exchange for a comparatively short existence in this natural human life with the end being eternity in the lake of fire and brimstone, in eternal torment. These are our only choices according to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

To attain the status of a True Christian, one must forfeit his own will, and his/her natural life desires to follow the will and life example of Jesus Christ. He said, "deny yourself and follow me."

When Jesus stated the above, he had not yet experienced the crucifixion. His statement, "take up his cross", did not pertain to a crucifixion cross. Cross in this verse was translated from the Greek word, "stauros", figuratively meaning, "exposure to death i.e. self denial". Therefore one must overcome their fear of death by following Jesus Christ.

"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Proverbs 14:12 No matter how right the natural human way of life a man/woman selects, the end thereof is the way of death, instead of eternal life.

"Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" Romans 6:16

True Christians have chosen to become servants of righteousness rather than follow their own will and desires. "For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things wherein ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:20-23

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood (life), we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." Romans 5:8-10

How then shall we be saved by his life? Apostle Peter made this clear when he explained, "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not: but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: who his own self bare our own sins in his own body on the tree, that we being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." I Peter 2:21-25

A True Christian must live a daily life, following in the life steps of Jesus Christ as an example. "We are saved by his life" Romans 5:10 This you can do, only, if you have the power to become a son/daughter of God, which is the indwelling Spirit of God, the Holy Ghost.

"So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness." Romans 8:8-10

Apostle Paul admonished us with these words, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." Romans 12:1-2

Jesus Christ himself, as our example, became a living sacrifice, the first begotten Son of God, that we too might follow him and receive the same eternal life, in the same manner as he did. That is the "Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ."


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