Body

IDENTITY WITH CHRIST

Introduction

To be called a Christian is being identified with Jesus the Christ. In this lesson we want to consider what it means to be a Christian as a true and correct identity with Christ.

Many take this term very lightly. They call themselves by some denominational name and are thus willing to be identified with a man or group in addition to Christ. Still others will proudly identify themselves as a Christian although they seldom if ever worship. They do so because of their birth into a believing family, because they are citizens of a "Christian nation," or some other pseudo association. It is their religion of preference but not of practice.

Still others are very intense in their worship, but they follow their own standard of what is good instead of learning about Christ and his teaching. They are very dedicated but it is dedication without knowledge. Some never consider that they need Christ, thinking only of how much they offer in service. Among these vain worshippers we can probably find many that are too busy working to stop and study what the Master has taught.

To have a true and correct, identity with Christ one must serve him singularly, not along with something else. Additionally one's service must serve as a primary objective in one's life. Finally, that service must be according to the teachings of Jesus. In accordance with these considerations we will call ourselves Christians exclusively of anything else; we will serve fervently, and we will reflect the character and teaching of Jesus in our lives in all that we do. We will serve in the church He built. We will not serve in denominations and churches built by Man. We will not serve in any organization, regardless of its name, that operates according to man's doctrine.

Being Just A Christian

This has precedence from early times. Perhaps you recall the address of Joshua after Israel had taken Canaan and all that the Lord had directed Joshua to take. The text is found in Joshua 24. Notice a few select verses.

Verse 15:

"And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Note the singularity of service. Verses 19 and 20 say:

But Joshua said to the people, "You cannot serve the Lord, for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. 20 "If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then He will turn and do you harm and consume you, after He has done you good.

Remember the teaching "He is a jealous God."

Samuel was just as direct as he taught Israel how to shed the oppression of the Philistines.

I Samuel 7:3-4:

Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, "If you return to the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths from among you, and prepare your hearts for the Lord, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines." 4 So the children of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtoreths, and served the Lord only.

In the New Testament instructions to Christians and churches we likewise find that we should not mix our service with other things. Much of this attitude deals with authority to do things but it also deals with our service which must always put Christ and His kingdom first.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

In this passage we have the instruction to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus which shows that our service is exclusively with Christ. We also see that we have the necessary instructions for that service in that it says, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom." This passage deals with service and it deals with authority. We are not acting in the name of the Lord Jesus just because we say, "in His name" or "in Jesus name." We must be acting according to His word.

Galatians 1:8-10

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

Do you really want to be identified with something else, with some movement, some man, some belief system, other than Christ? Paul says even an angel who preaches another gospel should be accursed. A bond servant of Christ does not seek to please men. These men could be leaders, preachers, elders, or teachers. They could be, and many times are, the most pious and influential men in the church.

II Corinthians 6:14-7:1

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

"I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people." 17 Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you." 18 "I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty."

7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. 9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

The point has often been made that the word transgresses carries with it the idea of going onward as in beyond or step outside of. Here are some definitions from the lexicon in my Bible program.

1) to go by the side of

2) to go past or pass over without touching a thing

3) to overstep, neglect, violate, transgress

4) to go past as to turn aside from

4a) to depart, leave, be turned from

5) one who abandons his trust

Jesus built only one church. The concept of denominationalism is directly opposed to the exclusive relationship we are to have with Christ. The way is simple, we must always act in His authority. We must teach and act according to His word. We cannot add anything or take anything away because when we do, we are no longer in the doctrine of Christ. If we are not in the doctrine of Christ, we do not have God.

Someone may ask, "How we can all agree?" We reach agreement by discussion, by debate and by teaching only what we can find in the Bible. We probably will not come to full agreement for a long time, but we will continue to operate on the principle that we are to agree. We will not complicate things by accepting manmade denominational concepts; rather, we will renounce them.

Becoming more like Jesus

I'm sure all will agree we will never reach the level of goodness which Jesus demonstrated in His life. We are however to note the examples of Jesus and develop characteristics which reflect His influence in our lives.

Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. 19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness -- by whose stripes you were healed.

Peter does not teach here that we must suffer or that we should look to find something to suffer about; but when suffering comes our way, we will endure it an a manner which reflects our service to Christ. We will give up our sins. We will speak the truth regardless of the consequences. We will not seek to get even when people do things to or say bad things about us. In all things we will trust God and commit ourselves to Him and his keeping, knowing that this life is not all there is.

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

Once again endurance is stressed. We must look beyond the trials to the joy that is ours. We may be physically tired but we will never grow tired of serving. Discouragement will be put out of our lives.

Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you. 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma

Are you forgiven? Forgive others. Does God love you? Love others. Who in his walk in love has attained the level of giving that we have received from Jesus?

As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

We can stand firmly and will be established in the faith. We will abound with thanksgiving. In Christ we are so blessed that we will never cease to be thankful nor will there ever be a time or circumstance that we cannot be thankful.

will not avenge ourselves

will see joy beyond our trials

will not grow tired of serving

will not be discouraged

will work in unity without prejudice

will be kind

will be forgiving

will stand firmly

will be established in the faith

will be thankful

In closing, just one thought. We identify ourselves as Christians; may our lives reflect who we are.