PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Acts 11:19-30
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.” (Acts 11:26)
At that time, the name ‘Christian’ was new, it was a compliment.
After centuries of confusion and misunderstanding, its meaning is lost.
They understood themselves as disciples (student, apprentice, follower) of Jesus.
My sense is that today we’ve lost the meaning of both words, disciple and Christian.
As a Jesus follower, I want to get back to the original meaning of disciple.
Too many people associate ‘Christian’ with the religion, not with Jesus.
And for many, it is more of a cultural designation than a faith commitment.
Going to church, reading the bible, being moral, being baptized or confirmed…
These do not make you a follower of Jesus; actually being like Jesus does.
Being good, full of the Spirit and faith, serving the Lord with all their heart.
To be ‘little Christs’ wherever we are, whoever we are with.
I want to figure out how to do this in my day to day, ordinary life.
To be called a Christian is no longer helpful to me.
I want people to say ‘he wants to be like Jesus!’
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for those who through the centuries have modeled true discipleship. May I add my name to the list of those who genuinely want to be like you!
“…telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.” Good news is good news! Sin is taken care of – but many today don’t associate sin with death – or don’t make the connection: sin is why there is death – eternal death. Yet when people realize it and then find the solution in Jesus – it is Good News. Hopelessness and despair leads people to ‘comfort’ rituals – whether it’s food, alcohol, drugs – but it can also open up people to consider the message of Jesus. I pray that as Christians we may be like the men from Cyrene and Cyprus and Barnabas and Saul and Stephen – to be ready to offer Jesus as the way!
God at work among His people. God at work through His people. All this to bring people to the Lord. As Christ had a word and deed ministry – parables and miracles – so I too need to show His presence in my life by my words and deeds. Then others will know that we are christians by our love.
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that our unity will one day be restored
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah they’ll know we are Christians by our love
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we’ll guard each man’s dignity and save each man’s pride
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.