Wearing The Christian Label

WEARING THE CHRISTIAN LABEL

“Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” Acts 11:25-26

A label may denote several things: ownership; contents; handling instructions; point of origin and destination. The term “Christian” is a label we should cherish. It means “an adherent to Christianity, to give support, to maintain loyalty.” When worn truthfully, it tells the world a great deal about us.

OWNERSHIP:

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, who you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” I Corinthians 6:19-20.

“For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.” Romans 14:8.

CONTENTS:

“And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father’.” Galatians 4:6

“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in your hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:5

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23a.

HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS:

Many packages bear the label marking: "FRAGILE: HANDLE WITH CARE" but this should never be associated with the label of Christian which we wear. The Christian is instructed by the Apostle Paul to "suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." (II Timothy 2:3).

Paul added further: "Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me His prisoner; but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God." II Timothy 1:8.

We are reminded of the words of our Savior in John 15:20-21: "Remember the word that I said to you, ’A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me."

The Christian was never told to take up a bouquet of roses and follow Jesus but rather to "take up thy cross and follow Me." (Mark 8:34b)

POINT OF ORIGIN:

“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience.” Ephesians 2:1-2.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death unto life.” John 5:24.

DESTINATION:

“But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” I Corinthians 2:9.

“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:2-3.