Life is usually seen in two parts, the good and the bad. In the true sense of what Christianity {Christ Like} should be, there shouldn’t be anything as a ‘bad Christian’. On religious grounds however, there may be one who maybe referred to as a ‘bad christian’. It will interest you to know that Christianity {Christ Like} is a Life style or a way of life and not a religion.
Some peoples claim of being a Christian is merely by religion and not by Life style. The question that should steer you in the face anytime you say ‘Am a Christian’ should be – Does my action and lifestyle portray who a christian should be?’.
The word ‘Christian’ was first given to the disciples/believers in Christ at Antioch and it means ‘Christ-like’.
As far as I can tell based on the scriptures, there is no bad in Christ. A true Christian should be good and true, outside this is a picture of a non Christian or possibly an unbeliever.
And the Lord honored this effort so that large numbers of these Gentiles became believers.
22 When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch to help the new converts. 23 When he arrived and saw the wonderful things God was doing, he was filled with excitement and joy, and encouraged the believers to stay close to the Lord, whatever the cost. 24 Barnabas was a kindly person, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. As a result, large numbers of people were added to the Lord.
25 Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to hunt for Paul. 26 When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch; and both of them stayed there for a full year teaching the many new converts. (It was there at Antioch that the believers were first called “Christians.” {Acts 11: 21 – 26 TLB}
And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. {1Jn 4:17 NLT}
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. {Eph 2:10 NLT}
The Picture of a Christian
– A Christian bears in him the mark of Christ. – And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” {Gal 4:6 NLT}
– The HolySpirit resides in him/her. – Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart. (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.). {John 7: 38 – 39 NLT}
– The Holy Spirit teaches him/her all things and builds in him/her the fruit of the Spirit. – When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. {John 16:13 NLT}
– Fears the Lord and wills for His pleasure alone. – For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. {Phil 2:13 NLT}
– Never neglect the place of the word but allows the word transform him to His very image. – So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. {2Cor 3:18 NLT}
By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.. A Christian is actually a reflection of who Christ is.
……Be a reflection of Christ on earth, as long as you live.
