Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he [Jesus] said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34; NLT).
Introduction
Being a Christian means following Christ’s teaching and lived example, in order to grow more and more like him, until we become one with him.
I call myself a Christian, so I’m asking myself some very basic questions. The response to each question is clarified by Biblical quotations.
Do I love everyone?
If my love isn’t inclusive, I’m not behaving like a Christian, because the Bible says:
Love your neighbour as yourself (Leviticus 19:18; NLT).
Love the stranger (Deuteronomy 10:19; NKJV).
Show love to foreigners (Deuteronomy 10:19; NLT).
Love your enemies (Matthew 5:44; NLT).
May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else (1 Thessalonians 3:12; NIV).
Do I judge others?
If I do, I’m not behaving like a Christian, because the Bible says:
Do not judge others, and you will not be judged (Matthew 7:1; NLT).
Am I kind?
If I’m unkind to others, I’m not behaving like a Christian, because:
A servant of the LORD must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone (2 Timothy 2:24; NLT).
Do I forgive those who hurt me?
If I nurse grudges, I’m not behaving like a Christian, because Jesus teaches:
Forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too (Mark 11:25; NLT).
Do I serve others?
If I don’t serve others the best I can, I’m not behaving like a Christian, because Jesus says:
Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else (Mark 9:35; NLT).
Even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others (Mark 10:45; NLT).
Do I try to follow Christ’s example?
If I don’t genuinely try to do this, I’m not being a Christian, because we are to:
Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ (Ephesians 5:2; NLT).
Am I growing more like Christ?
If I’m not growing more like Christ, however slowly, I need to ask myself whether I really am a Christian at all:
We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ (Ephesians 4:15; NLT).
Conclusion
Perhaps, in the end, I only need to ask myself one question:
Do I believe it’s okay to judge, look down on, control, discriminate against, dominate, exploit, abuse, reject, exclude, hate, or hurt others in any way whatsoever?
Strange as it may sound, if my answer to this question is, ‘Yes’, then I may still have a faith of some kind. It might even be a religious faith. However, it is definitely not Christianity, because:
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out (1 Corinthians 13:4-6; NLT).
The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22; NLT).
References
Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him (Philippians 3:8-9; NLT).
Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:41; NIV).
Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me (Matthew 25:45; NIV).
Live like Jesus here in this world (1 John 4:17; NLT).
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5; NIV).