A Christian is an individual who has accepted Jesus’ death and resurrection as his or her own, and has therefore become a child of God, identified by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (see Ephesians 1:13). Based on that definition, are you a Christian? If not, would you like to be? If you aren’t, you will miss out on God’s guarantee that He will give His children the inheritance He promised (heaven). If you are not a Christian, it means you are not His child, and someday you will spend eternity in a place without God—hell.
The Holy
Spirit identifies us as God’s children and directs the way we live, so we
won’t be dominated by our sinful flesh. The Holy Spirit works in us to bring
about the transformation that makes us Christ-like. Anyone who claims to be a
child of God but does not have the Spirit does not know what he or she is
talking about, because the Scriptures say very clearly, “Those who do not have
the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all” (Romans 8:9).
There is a
clear difference between Christians and unbelievers. Unbelievers are controlled
by their sinful nature, which makes them think about sinful things. They can
never please God; their end is death-eternal separation from God after this
life. On the other hand, Christians are controlled by the Holy Spirit, leading
them to want to please the Spirit. The Scriptures say, “Letting the Spirit
control your mind leads to life and peace” (Romans 8:6). Also, “Christ lives
within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives
you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who
raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus
from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit
living within you” (Romans 8:10-11). What a powerful statement!
The biggest
external distinction between Christians and unbelievers is that Christians do
not enjoy displeasing God by living in sin because He’s given them a new nature
through their rebirth. With the aid of the Holy Spirit, they are supposed to
live in Him and be led by Him. Anyone who continues to sin, the Scriptures say,
“Does not know him {God} or understand who he is” (1 John 3:6). In other words,
if you enjoy living in sin, the Spirit does not live in you, which means you
are not a Christian. Therefore, the claim that you are is false! Also, “Those
who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because
God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children
of God” (1 John 3:9).
The
Christian:
●
Is reborn
●
Is in the family of God: His child.
●
The Holy Spirit lives in and controls him.
●
Is freed from the power of sin.
●
Does not make a practice of sinning.
●
Has no obligation to the sinful nature.
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Will inherit eternal life without condemnation.
●
Will receive full rights as an adopted child, including a new body
in the future.
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The Spirit prays for him according to God’s will.
●
Loves other believers.
The
Unbeliever:
●
Is a child of the devil.
●
Says Jesus is not the Christ.
●
Is controlled by the sin nature, leading to death.
●
Can never please God.
So, for the
Christian, the Scriptures teach us that the life-giving Spirit has freed us
from the power of sin that leads to death. Therefore, we are not slated to die.
Instead, we are on our way to heaven where we will be like Jesus, and we will
see Him as He really is (see 1 John 3:2). We get to be with God, our Father,
forever and ever, where there will be no more death, sorrow, crying, tears, or
pain (see Revelation 3:3-4).
If
you are not a Christian, would you like to be, and be among those going to
heaven? I hope you do because the alternative is terrible. I encourage you to
call on Jesus today, while you still have time. Nobody knows how much time they
have before it becomes too late. Make
that decision today; ask God for forgiveness through Jesus’ sacrifice. When you
do that, God will forgive you and send His Spirit to dwell in your heart as
evidence that you are His child.
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