The Christian Obligation

 The Christian Obligation

"The word Christian is used three times in the New Testament: Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28, and 1 Peter 4:16. The original usage in all three New Testament verses reflects a derisive element in the term Christian to refer to followers of Christ who did not acknowledge the emperor of Rome" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_synonyms)

"and when he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. For an entire year they met [with others] in the church and instructed large numbers; and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians." (Acts 11:26, AMP)

Disciples were first called Christians in Antioch, not as a commendation but as a derogation. However that description ended up as a commendation because the people of Antioch actually felt that the disciples were true followers of Christ Jesus. 

"Then Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time [and with so little effort] you [almost] persuade me to become a Christian.” (Acts 26:28, AMP)

Even King Agrippa was touched and convicted by the words of Apostle Paul but the thought of being associated with believers who were called Christians was something he was not prepared to come to terms with. In other words, there was a price he was not prepared to pay.

"Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf." (1 Peter 4:16, AMP)

In 1 Peter 4, Apostle Peter mentioned the need for the believer to follow the example of Jesus, to be open to the possibility of serving and suffering for God's glory as a Christian. Being a Christian implies discipleship - following Jesus in His footsteps because the servant is not above the Master. Anyone who is determined to live a godly live will suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12)

"And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do." (Luke 17:7-10, NKJV)

The true Christian is primarily a disciple of Jesus, His servant, called to do the good works that God had prepared before the world began (Ephesians 2:10). The good works are to be done with humility, appreciation of the believer's servanthood and an acknowledgement and acceptance of God's sovereignty. Unconditional service to God is the trademark of the true Christian and from this flows service to man.

"Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15)

True humility steers away from presumptuousness and/or pride. Pride seeks to claim knowledge of the unknown, engages in self-centred plans, and disregards God's Word partially or wholly. The true Christian walks in humility and not in pride.

The Christian obligation is therefore to be and remain a disciple of Jesus, fulfilling the Great Commission, loving God wholeheartedly and surrendering all to Him (Matthew 22:37, Luke 14:33). The true Christian realizes he or she is an ambassador for Christ, thus having the primary objective of making Jesus known and lifting Him up wherever he or she goes.

Have you lifted up Jesus today? How is your representation of Him going? Can people see Jesus in you? Are your words such as would endear Him to people? 

"The true Christian is not proud and does not engage in unbecoming behaviour. Such an individual is humble submitting to God-given authority. The true Christian is not self-seeking and is only interested in lifting Jesus higher. The true Christian walks in righteousness, holiness and integrity."('The True Christian', pages 40-41, ISBN 9781535354356

May the good Lord enable you to take the Christian obligation seriously. Have a blessed day.