Text: “Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures” (James 1:18).
What do we mean by “a real Christian”? Many people say they are Christian. Out of curiosity, I have asked people how they know they are a Christian. Maybe you have asked people the same question. If you have, you have probably heard the same response I have often heard. People say, “I am a Christian because my parents were Christians.”
Do we become a Christian just because our parents were Christian? Are we a Christian because we went to Sunday school? Are we a Christian because our friends say they are Christian? Does being baptized or christened as an infant make you a Christian?
I believe the answer to these questions is “No!”
Does a Christian possess certain Godly attributes, qualities, characteristics or traits? “Yes!” If we are truly followers of Jesus, we possess the same characteristics Jesus possessed. Those who follow Jesus call themselves Christian.
When Jesus walked upon the face of the earth, there were some who believed in Him, who believed He was the Messiah, and who walked in His footsteps. The followers of Jesus who lived during the first century were the first generation of Christians. As James puts it, they were “a kind of firstfruits of all he created” (v. 17).
When we think of “firstfruits” we think about crops when they are ready to harvest. The first ones ready to be harvested would be considered the “firstfruits”. In Jesus’ day, the first portion of the crop to be harvested was given as an offering in an act of worship. Also, the offering was a blessing for the remainder of the crop.
Paul used the term “firstfruits” in his first letter to the people at Corinth. He used it in reference to those who have died. Paul said, “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (I Corinthians 15:20). Jesus was the first to be resurrected so He is the “firstfruit” of all those who have died. His resurrection is our assurance of our resurrection.
Let’s look at several characteristics Christians should have. People should know we are Christians by the way we act, talk and by the way we walk. There are numerous characteristics demonstrated by Jesus.
The Christian characteristics we are going to talk about are only a sample of the many Jesus demonstrated. If we are real Christians, these characteristics should be evident to those people whom we meet or make contact.
This first characteristic that comes to mind is forgiveness. Are you a forgiving person? Jesus was a very forgiving person and he demonstrated this trait as he hung on the Cross between two thieves. As bad as He was mistreated and forsaken, He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). He was asking forgiveness for those who were putting Him to death.
Are you and I able to forgive those who mistreat us in some manner? I don’t think any of us have ever suffered the pain, humiliation, embarrassment, harassment, or mistreatment that Jesus suffered. I am sure we have had times when someone has said something about us and it hurt our feelings and our pride. How did we react? Did we use the words of Jesus when He said, “Father, forgive them”? We probably did not, but we should have.
At times, you will hear people say, “I forgive, but I do not forget.” If you forgive, then you should forget. If you don’t forget the incident, then you haven’t truly forgiven the person. People who are hurt by the actions or words of another tend to speak evil of the person who has hurt them. I want to share a little story with you. It is titled: Abraham Lincoln and the Spy.
When the Civil War broke out, a certain man was in one of the far Southern States, and he enlisted in the Southern Army. He was selected by the General and sent to spy on the Northern Army. As you know, armies have no mercy on spies if they are caught. This man was caught, tried by court-marshal, and ordered to be shot. While he was in the guardroom waiting the day of execution, he would call Abraham Lincoln by every vile name that he could think of.
One day while he was in prison, a Northern officer came into his cell. The prisoner, full of rage, thought his time had come to be shot. The officer, when he opened the door, handed him a free pardon, signed by Abraham Lincoln. He told him he was at liberty; he could go to his wife and children.
The man who had before been so full of bitterness and malice and rage suddenly quieted down, and said: “What, has Abraham Lincoln pardoned me? I have never said a good word about him.”
The officer replied: “If you got what you deserved, you would be shot. But some one interceded for you at Washington, and obtained your pardon. You are now at liberty.”
----------------------Christian Endeavor World
When you and I forgive someone for what they have done to us, we feel peace within our mind. We are at liberty to continue down the straight and narrow road and, in addition, we have demonstrated a true Christian trait. We are following the words Paul wrote to the Ephesians when he said: “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
Another trait that should be evident in a person claiming to be a Christian is love. We are not necessarily talking about the emotional love we all have. Yes, we love our husband, wife, children, parents and friends. This is good and this should be.
The love I am talking about is the love talked about by Jesus. For example, Jesus said, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).
As a true Christian, one who follows the words written in red, we should be able to love our enemies, regardless of what they have done to us. When we are able to do this, we no longer have enemies. These people now become our friends because they see the Light and the love of God showing though us.
We are able to treat them the way we want to be treated. We are able to extend a helping hand because we are now a positive witness for our Lord and Savior. We will be following the words written by John: “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18). Our love will show forth through our actions.
A young man and a young woman had become engaged and were looking forward to a near wedding day, when the young man was suddenly called to serve his country. From the field of warfare letters regularly came and went, and love shone brightly in all of them. Then letters from the young man abruptly stopped. A few weeks passed and then there came a letter in a strange handwriting. In it the young woman read:
“There has been another battle. I have lost both my arms. I asked my friend to write this letter for me, and to tell you that I release you from our engagement, for now I will not be able to work and support you.”
That letter was never answered. By the next train the young woman journeyed southward. She left the train and went directly to the hospital. Inquiring the location of the young man’s room, she quietly approached and suddenly flung herself down by his side and with passionate words said, “I will never give you up. These hands of mine will work for you. We will live our life of love together.”
---------------S. E. DuBois, in Gospel Herald
This young bride-to-be was re-enforcing her words of love with truth and action. She was willing to give everything she had so they could spend life together. She truly was a Christian who lived by the words in red.
God has so much love for us that He gave all He had. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). He gave His only begotten Son to pay for all of our past, present and future sins. Jesus took our place and our punishment and only asked that we believe in Him.
Christians have this kind of love. They are willing to step in and help the brother or sister. They are willing to go the second mile without thinking about what they will receive in return or what is in it for them. The Christian is ready to carry the burden of another.
The crossing was muddy, the street was wide and water was running on either side;
The wind whistled past with a bitter moan as I made my weary way alone.
In crossing the street I chanced to pass a boy in the arms of his frail young mother---
“Isn’t he heavy, my sweet little mother?”
“Oh, no,” she replied, “he’s my baby brother.”
The load may be heavy, the road may be long, the winds of adversity bitter and strong,
But the way will seem brighter if you love one another, the burden will be light if you carry a brother.
Integrity is another characteristic of the real Christian. Proverbs 19:1 says, “Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.” The Christian knows that dishonesty is a high price to pay for wealth and fame. The person who knows God and loves Him considers poverty a very small price for personal integrity or honesty.
Years ago, at a slave market, in the South, a young black boy was put up for sale. An older gentleman came by and had pity for the boy. He did not want the boy to be bought by a mean and cruel owner. The older man said to the boy, “If I buy you, will you be honest?” The young lad looked at the man with a puzzled or perplexed look on his face and then replied, “Sir, I will be honest whether you buy me or do not buy me.”
We have all stretched the truth at one time or another. Sometime we are dishonest and try to justify it or at other times we are dishonest without even realizing it. Have you ever complimented someone on how nice they look when in reality, you think they are a pitiful sight?
Have you ever padded your expense account or added extra deductions to your income tax? Have you ever been caught speeding and lied to the officer when he asked how fast you think your were going?
We have all probably done at least one of these things or similar things at some point in life, but then heard that wee small voice in our heart telling us it was wrong. We than asked for forgiveness and ceased further such actions.
Listen to the story of a famous coach.
Story: “A Famous Coach’s Honesty”
Probably no man ever had a longer or more distinguished career in the world of sports than the veteran coach A. A. Stagg. For forty-two years he was the idol of students and graduates of the University of Chicago. Ye he is more admired for his rugged character and uncompromising honesty, no matter what the cost.
A successful businessman told how his whole life changed by a little incident on the baseball diamond. Stagg’s champion baseball team was defending its college title. The batter had singled, and one of Stagg’s men was racing home with the winning run. Stagg rushed up to meet him.
“Get back to third base,” he shouted, you missed touching the base by a yard.” “But the umpire didn’t see it,” the runner protested. “That doesn’t make any difference,” roared Stagg. “Get back!”
It cost a game, but a character battle was won. “When I saw that,” said the businessman, “I determined always to play square.”
---------------------United Presbyterian
I don’t recall seeing anything like that in the sports area today. Are there no Christians on the field or in the arena? What do you think?
Real Christians will be able to say as the Psalmist said, “Judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High” (Psalm 7:8).
James tells us that a real Christian should be quick and eager to listen. Are you willing to take time to listen to a person bidding for your attention? Do you listen when others are talking to you? I will be the first to admit that sometimes I am thinking of what I want to say instead of listening to what the other person is trying to share with me. I don’t mean to do this and most of the time I catch myself in the act.
We all like to talk. If you think for just a moment, God gave each of us two ears and one mouth. Does that tell you anything? It tells me that we are to listen twice as much as we are to talk or we are to talk one-half as much as we are to listen. Does that make sense to you?
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires” (James 1:19).
When we become angry, we do not listen, but we do a lot of talking. We try to justify our view or why we are right. When someone bursts our bubble our ego is hurt or injured. We may think our thoughts are not important.
When we become angry, we do and say things that can hurt someone else. Our actions are not in line with our Christian character. Our words are like a two-edged sword creating wounds that may or may not heal.
A real Christian will “…get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humble accept the word planted in you, which can save you” (James 1:21).
Is there moral filth and evil in the world today? “Yes!” There has been moral filth and evil in the world every since God created man. Do we have to walk in this mud and filth? “No!” A real Christian will accept the Word of Almighty God. In addition to accepting the Word it is mandatory to obey the Word and do what it says. A real Christian is a different person because they have repented of their sins and accepted the Lord Jesus as their own personal Lord and Savior. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
A real Christian is a different person on the inside. The Holy Spirit is now in control of their life. The real Christian is living in union with Jesus. The words in red take on new meaning. The impossible are now possible. The darkness has turned to light. Life for the real Christian is walking with Jesus down the straight and narrow road. The real Christian knows his or her destiny.
Conclusion:
The real true Christian expresses the characteristics and traits of Jesus:
In the home – by love and unselfishness,
In business – by honesty, and diligence,
In society – by purity, courtesy and humility,
Toward the unfortunate – by sympathy and mercy,
Toward the weak – by helpfulness and patience,
Toward the wicked – by overcoming evil without compromise,
Toward the strong – by trust and cooperation with good,
Toward non-Christians – by witnessing to Christ and His Gospel,
Toward the penitent – by forgiveness and restoration,
Toward the fortunate – by rejoicing with them without envy,
And toward God – by reverence, love and obedience.
--------------------Sunday School Digest
Do you have the characteristics and traits of a real Christian?
Since we live in a polluted world, we need to commit ourselves to Jesus’ ethical and moral ways and not to the ways of the world. We need to listen as the Holy Spirit speaks to us and then we need to obey His Word.
Amen.
