Characters That Define A Christian

There was a story of a certain pastor who announced he would be preaching next Sunday evening on “The Love of God.” As the shadows fell and the light ceased to come in through the church windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the altar, the pastor lighted a candle and carried it to the crucifix. First of all, he illumined the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound. In the hush that fell, he blew out the candle and left the altar. There was nothing else to say.

III. He Trust in God,

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways submit to him,

and he will make your paths straight.[a]

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;

fear the LORD and shun evil. - PROV. 3:5-7

The book of Psalms 2:12 says, “Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.” And Ps. 5:11 also says, “Let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy. “

IV. He Honours God,

8 This will bring health to your body

and nourishment to your bones.

9 Honour the LORD with your wealth,

with the first fruits of all your crops;

10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,

and your vats will brim over with new wine. PROV. 3:8-10.

Faith honours God and God honours faith! A story from the life of missionaries Robert and Mary Moffat illustrates this truth. For 10 years this couple laboured faithfully in Bechuanaland (now called Botswana) without one ray of encouragement to brighten their way. They could not report a single convert. Finally the directors of their mission board began to question the wisdom of continuing the work. The thought of leaving their post, however, brought great grief to this devoted couple, for they felt sure that God was in their labors, and that they would see people turn to Christ in due season.

They stayed; and for a year or two longer, darkness reigned. Then one day a friend in England sent word to the Moffats that he wanted to mail them a gift and asked what they would like. Trusting that in time the Lord would bless their work, Mrs. Moffat replied, “Send us a communion set; I am sure it will soon be needed.” God honoured that dear woman’s faith. The Holy Spirit moved upon the hearts of the villagers, and soon a little group of six converts was united to form the first Christian church in that land. The communion set from England was delayed in the mail; but on the very day before the first commemoration of the Lord’s super in Bechuanaland, the set arrived. Source unknown

V. He Accepts divine discipline,

11 My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline,

and do not resent his rebuke,

12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves,

as a father the son he delights in.[b] PROV. 3:11-12.

We must face the fact that many today are notoriously careless in their living. This attitude finds its way into the church. We have liberty, we have money, we live in comparative luxury. As a result, discipline practically ;has disappeared. What would a violin solo sound like if the strings on the musician’s instrument were all hanging loose, not stretched tight, not “disciplined”?

A.S. Tozer in Men Who Met God

CONCLUSION: Finally as William Penn have said, “To be like Christ is to be a Christian.”