Pastor (Dr.) Elijah O. Abina, define a Christian as one who belongs to Christ through personal relationship with Christ. Some distinguish Christians as “good or bad” Christian but in reality, it is either a Christian or not. We examine who a Christian is not, the Christian identity, the benefits of being a Christian and the characteristics possessed by a Christian. Today, we proceed to achieve the exemplary lifestyle of a Christian, Christian foundation peculiarities and God’s plan with its necessities for our growth in Christ as Christians
SOME SYMBOLS THAT REPRESENT A CHRISTIAN IN THE WORLD
1. The Christian is the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13)
2. The Christian is the light of the world (Matt. 5:14) to lighten up the dark world.
3. The Christian is likened to the epistle of Christ which the world reads (2 Cor. 3:1-3).
4. Christians are likened to the sweet savor or aroma of Christ (2 Cor. 2:14-15).
WHAT ARE THOSE THINGS CHRISTIAN SHOULD PUT FIRST?
1. Hearing and Responding to the Gospel: When Jesus put forth the Great Commission to the disciples, He said "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved" (Mk. 16:15-16). In the epistle to the Romans, Paul said, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17).
2. Saving Faith: Saving faith affects the whole being of a person. It was the kind of faith exemplified in the life of the Ethiopian Eunuch when he said to Philip "...see here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptised? and Philip said, "if thou believest with all thine heart thou mayest". And he answered and said I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" (Acts 8:36-37), and the man was baptised. The Bible says, "with the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation".
3. Repentance, A Must: Repentance should not be overlooked; the devil has succeeded in taking the eyes of many a Christian from this. The Lord Jesus Christ started His public ministry by telling His audience, "repent and believe the Gospel" (Mk. 1:15). Repentance brings a change of attitude, direction, likes and dislikes. This is a good foundation for a Christian life.
4. Repentance And Restitution: Genuine repentance sometimes results in restitution. Sacchaeus could be cited as a good example of this (Lk. 19:8). Examples of such restoration can be found in 1 Kings 20:34; Prov. 6:30-31; 2 Kings 8:6; Neh. 5:11-12.
FOUNDATION MATTERS
What should the foundation for our walk with God be?
They then continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayers (Acts 2:42). How possible is this in our dispensation?
How do you view the journey of someone without solid foundation on Christ?
My challenge to everyone is that you should re-examine your Christian foundation and be sure it aligns with the word of God and make any necessary amendments. Everyone should do this without any exemptions, both ministers and members alike.
The Need for Christian Growth
Why do I have to grow as a Christian?
What are the things needed for my growth?
If I don’t grow, does that mean I’m not a Christian?
Having settled the issue of your Christian foundation, there is the need for you to continue to grow. Many Christians are in the Church for years without commensurate growth. Hebrews 5:12 says "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food". There are many things for you to know and do to continue to grow, as you press on in your journey to heaven.
Growth Is God's Plan
Christian growth is the will of God. It is God's plan that every creature should grow, one reasons why you are saved is to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 3:1 8).
It is when the Christian grows that he would be like his Master.
Spiritual growth makes holy living easy and attainable. (1 Pet. 1:16).
Brings perfection; be perfect even as our Father which is in heaven is perfect (Matt. 5:48).
One of the killer diseases in the Church nowadays is that most Christians are not growing. They are still on the same spiritual level where they were several years before. Some, if not many, are even worse than what they were at the beginning. That is why many Church members today are being carried away by every wind of false doctrine. Paul, writing to the Ephesian Christians, said, "till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness by which lie in wait to deceive, but speaking the truth, in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head - Christ, from whom the whole body is joined and united together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share for edifying itself in love" (Eph. 4:13-16). This message pre supposes the unity and growth of the Church universal. The logic here is that if an individual member does not grow, the Church as a whole or as a body would not grow. Therefore, you must strive to grow in order to please the Lord and enjoy serving Him. You must realise that there is no end to Christian growth. We must continue to grow until Jesus comes. Title or position should not be a barrier to continuous growth. This should rather increase your desire to grow more and more to be like Christ.
Jesus, Our Example of Growth
Luke 2:51 "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man". This means that Jesus grew mentally, physically and spiritually. (Lk. 2:7, 2:21-23, 2:42-47)..Paul had this to say of his personal self, "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended, but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:13-14). Paul, in his writing here, is seen to be moving upward and onward. This should be your desire as well.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1. What is repentance and how important is it to successful Christian living?
2. What are some benefits of being a Christian?
3. Why is it necessary for a Christian to grow?
4. In what ways is Jesus a good example of Christian growth?
