D. Michael Battle, B.A., M.A., M.A.

Are you a Christian? Are you a Christian one day a week or seven days a week? Are you a real Jesus Christian, or are you one in name only? Do you humbly bear and wear the wonderful name of Jesus Christ? Christians are called by His holy name. “Blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21). Do others see Christ in you? Only Jesus can save us from our sins, and from the penalty of sin (Matthew 1:21). Yes, Jesus Saves! But we cannot be saved by our own performing works of self-made righteousness, nor can we be saved living in known sin. There is no other Name or Person that can save mankind according to the Holy Bible (Acts 4:12). Jesus of Nazareth said, “I and My Father are one” (John 10:30). Christ is united with Father God in purpose, in objectives, and in the Plan of Redemption. Rabbi Jesus is a revelation of God’s love and character. He is “the outshining of the Father’s glory” (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus said, “If you love me, obey my commandments” (John 14:15). Jesus wants us to love our neighbors as ourselves. If we hate other human beings, we are breaking the spirit of God’s moral law, and we are already murderers in our hearts.

Christians choose to be followers and disciples of Jesus Christ because “Christ died for our sins” on a cross at Calvary (1 Cor. 15:3). “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). “Every one who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:8 RSV). Jesus is our Liberator from the wages of sin (Romans 6:23). The Bible says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Jesus is the supernatural, Living Word of God. He is our sacrificial Super-Hero. We are saved by grace through faith in Christ’s righteousness. If we belong to Christ, then we are Abraham’s true children and descendants (Galatians 3:29). As Bible believing Christians, we worship Jesus Christ because we believe that He is our Creator, our personal Savior, and our heavenly Mediator. “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins… for by him were all things created… And he is before all things, and by him all things consist” (Colossians 1:14-17). Jesus has purchased our liberty of conscience, and freedom of worship and speech with His own blood-atoning sacrifice (Galatians 5:1,13).The eternal pre-existence of our Pre-incarnate Christ is self-evident in the history of the human race. Christ said, “Before Abraham was, I Am” (John 8:58). He was that “Spiritual Rock” that overthrew the Pharaoh of Egypt, and led the Church in the Wilderness through the Red Sea into the Promised Land (Acts 7:32-38). Jesus is Emmanuel: God with us. Jesus is the Second Person of the triune Godhead, and God is both immortal and infallible. Christ clothed His divinity with humanity, and the Word became flesh. Jesus took upon his sinless nature our flesh and blood, the nature of human beings (Hebrews 2:14). He “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). The Antichrist denies that “Jesus Christ has come in our nature” (1 John 4:2-3). Jesus fulfilled over 300 messianic prophecies and prophetic revelations with impeccable accuracy during His first advent. He will fulfill many more during the glorious Appearing at His Second Coming. Andrew said to his brother, Simon Peter; “We have found the Messiah; which is, being interpreted, the Christ” (John1:41 NWV). Our Incarnate Christ healed the sick, and raised the dead. Jesus is more than just another good prophet. Moses was a good prophet, but Jesus is the Son of God; He is our divine Messiah and our Passover Lamb. (Read 1 Corinthians10:1-14; John 1:1-14). Jesus loves us, and He wants us to have a personal, experiential relationship with Him. His love endures forever (John 3:16).

Although “the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”, two-thirds of the world’s population have openly rejected Jesus Christ, and the atonement brought about by His sinless life and substitutionary death (Romans 6:23 RSV). Many false religionists claiming to do the will of God are actually serving and worshiping the Devil. Everyone claiming to be a Last-Day Saint in the Remnant Church is not a “born again” Christian in the Remnant Faith (Revelation 14:12).

“The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch” (Acts 11:26). In Antioch, the capital of Syria then, the called-out followers of Jesus Christ were recognized by their behavior and lifestyle. They were sarcastically called Christians. Real Christians are suppose to be Christ-like, and properly represent Christ’s life. Christians that have been converted and transformed reflect the character, image and likeness of Christ. Real Christian disciples in the School of Christ live by the holy principles found in the Gospel of Christ. But they also feed the hungry; Find shelter for the homeless; Give clothes to those who need clothing; Help and heal the sick; Visit those incarcerated in prison, and provide comfort and provisions for the shut-ins, widows and the orphans (Matthew 25:34-40). Real, spiritual Christians do not cherish a spirit of unforgiveness or revengeful bitterness. They forgive, try to forget, and move on. Jesus told His disciples to love their enemies, and to pray for their persecutors. When someone sins against you or offends you, do you behave like a real Christian? Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times”? (See Matthew 18:21-22 NIV). Jesus replied, “No! Seventy times seven!”

A true Christian has faith in Jesus. A true Christian believes in and obeys the teachings and Faith of Jesus. A true Christian will manifest the virtues and moral qualities of Jesus Christ. A true Christian is a Christlike person. The true test of Christian discipleship is unselfish love and willing obedience. The Prince of Peace wants us to have peace of mind, and to be peacemakers. Christlike Christians do not kill, lie, or steal (Exodus 20:13-16). They help out others and heal. They value the sacred life of other human beings. Christianity is on trial in the Court of World Opinion. Christlike Christians do not murder and massacre innocent women and children, and call it collateral damage. Christ wants us to spend more time loving our neighbors, and less time judging our neighbors. I wonder if there is enough evidence in your life, conduct, and conversations to convict you of being a real, genuine Christian by your acquaintances or by your enemies?

In our multi-cultural world of poverty, social injustice, and spiritual darkness, we are called to be Instruments of Hope, Light, and Love. We are called by Almighty God to be Beacon Lights that can illuminate and enlighten the pathway to Jesus Christ for every truth-seeking, sin-sick sinner in this world.

Our awesome, precious Savior paid the Ultimate Price for our sins at Calvary with His Atoning Blood Sacrifice. Jesus tasted, experienced, and died the death we deserve: the Second Death. (See Hebrews 2:9; Isaiah 53:4-13). Bless His holy name! Our Lord Jesus will never change. His moral attributes will always remain the same, and there is miraculous power in His wonderful name!

Let us glorify and magnify the glorious name of Jesus. Christians! We wear the name of Jesus. His loving name is above all other names. Angels cover their faces with their wings, and demons tremble and flee when the name of Jesus is spoken. The glorious name of Jesus has been translated and transliterated into many languages, but in every language His name is still awesome and precious. Gesu, Yesu Kristo, Eiki Sisu, Jesu Kristi, JesuCristo, Messiah Yeshua, Yahweh, Jehovah Shalom, Isus, Emmanuel, Jezus Chrystus, and Iesous is His holy name. When we use, wear, and take the name of the Lord our God in vain, we “blaspheme that worthy name by which we are called” (James 2:7); and we misrepresent the Religion of Christ, our Christian Faith.

Bona fide Christians reflect the loving character and lifestyle of Jesus Christ. They are sanctified by obeying the Truth in God’s edifying Word (John 17:17). Let us love each other and forgive one another as Jesus has loved us and forgiven us. Let us respect everyone made in God’s image regardless of their color, social class, race, gender, religion, or creed. Satanians follow Satan and find pleasure in their hideous, heinous crimes and sins. Real Christians worship Jesus Christ, and spread His Gospel Seeds. Real practicing Christians do not spread slanderous gossip, or brag about their unChristlike misdeeds. Real spiritual Christians try to imitate, emulate, and duplicate the loving character of Jesus Christ. They try to be Christlike in their thoughts, words, and deeds.

“Let everything that has breath praise the LORD” (Psalm 150:6). Give thanks unto the Lord, and bless His wonderful name. The Lord Jesus is gracious and righteous. Accept Jesus as your personal Savior right now, today. Jesus died for our sins! Give Him praise! Praise the Lord of lords for His righteousness and lovingkindness! Praise the King of kings for His merciful kindness! “For the dead cannot praise you; they cannot raise their voices in praise… Only the living can praise you as I do today” (Isaiah 38:18-19 NLT). Christians arise, and give Him praise! Rejoice in the Lord always. Jesus is our Inspiration! Let us praise His glorious name in song and in adoration!

Michael Battle   P.O. Box 50471
Mesa, AZ 85208   (602) 679-9405

Copyright ©2006 Michael Battle (click name to send email)