Called To Be Christians*

There is great turmoil troubling our nation at this time. A question was brought to mind recently for the Body of Christ: If you were put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? The term "Christian" was first used in the New Testament. Barnabas sought out Paul to minister to the new believers in Antioch: "And when he found him (Paul), he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to psss, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people, and the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." (Acts 11:26). The term used here is "called" Christians. Being called generates from a divine direction by God Himself. Many view the Law of Moses to be legalistic, harsh, and not part of a Christian's walk. However, the Law had a purpose, which we will see. It's purpose was to bring us closer to God, as our source of righteousness, and as our measure of justice. Jesus was asked about the Law by a religious lawyer in order to tempt Him and test Him. Jesus brought forth this revelation instead when asked which is the great commandment: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Mt. 22:34-40). Not only is the Law summed up in these two commandments, but all of the writings of the prophets as well! The Law is designed to bring us to love God above all else, and to love our neighbor. As told in the parable of the good Samaritan, our neighbor also includes those of a different race, ethnicity, or religious practice. Scripture says that all men are of one blood, and descended from Noah and his family, the survivors of the flood. One of those prophets, Micah, delivered this Word from the LORD: "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God." (Micah 6:8) The commandments of God were fulfilled by Christ, and meant to identify us: "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commndments: and his commandments are not grievous." (1 Jn. 5:2-3). Jesus broke the Law done even further when He said: "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." (Mt. 7:12). We recently saw a violent mob crash into the Capitol building in Washington, D.C.. Some of those in the mob were carrying political banners, but some were carrying Christian flags. People were killed, crushed, and had to run for their lives. Is this what those who are called to be Christians are supposed to be doing and representing? Jesus said, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." (Mt. 7:21). Jesus told us that we would know those who are genuine in the faith and those who are not, by their fruit, and we were to beware of those who bring forth evil fruit. He said, "A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." (v. 18-19). Do not be caught up with those who have corrupt minds. In the same Spirit that Jesus taught about the good tree that brings forth good fruit, Paul wrote in Galatians 5 about the fruit of the Spirit of God. The fruit of the Spirit is listed as: "...love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, tempernce: against such there is no law." (Gal. 5:22-23). There is no law against this precious fruit of the Spirit because, as Paul wrote earlier in this chapter: "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (v. 14). In the next chapter of Galatians, Paul urges us to restore a fallen brother in the spirit of meekness, and to bear one another's burdens, "and so fulfill the law of Christ...And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due seaon we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." (Gal. 6:1-2, 9-10). As for "doing good" especilly to those of the household of faith, we are not to forget the teacher who teaches us, with whom we are to share all good things (v. 6). Another prophet, Isaiah, brought forth our responsibility to undo the burdens of others, to let the oppressed go free, to bring into our homes the poor who have been cast out of theirs, to feed the hungry, and clothe the naked (Isa. 58:6-7). Jesus spoke the same thing about a King who said: "I was hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me." The hearers of these statements will ask the King (Jesus) when they did these things for Him. Jesus, the King, will answer them: "Verily, I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (Mt. 25:34-44). This is from the pararable of the separation of the sheep and the goats when the Son comes in His glory. The sheep who did all of these things for their needy brethren will be the inheritors of the Kingdom. To those who did not, the goats, the Son will say, "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." (v. 41). The goats would have done all of these loving things for Christ, Himself, but they refused to see that doing these things for the least of the brethren, is the same as doing them for Christ. This is the fulfillment of all the Law and the prophets. This is the fulfillment of the law of Christ. Considering all of these things, I ask again, if you were put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 1/31/21 message to the Church. To contact: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX 76705, or email to Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com Also, you cn find us on Facebook, Twitter, and endtimesschool.com