What is a Christian?
John 14:21
Theme: A Christian is someone who loves Jesus, has His commands and obeys His
commands.
19/04/09 (am)
Context of John 14:21
• Last Supper
• Jesus teaching His disciples
• Jesus comforting His disciples
• In John 14:21 Jesus gives a precise definition of a Christian.
Jesus’ Description of a Genuine Disciple (14:21a)
Jesus says that a Christian is marked by three interdependent
characteristics:
1.Someone who loves Him.
• John may be using a word for love that speaks of a deep seated, purposeful love involving the entire personality – mind, emotions, will, cf. Mk. 12:30.
• Do you have such love for Jesus? It is a mark of a Christian.
2. Someone who has His commands. What does has mean?
• Not just possess or have access to.
• Means to grasp with the mind and make them your own.
• Have you grasped Jesus’ commands?
3. Someone who obeys His commands (cf. 14:15 & 23).
• General bent of life is obedience.
What a Christian is not
A Christian is not essentially defined by:
• Birth into a Christian home or ‘country’.
• The bald profession Jesus loves me & I love Jesus.
• An act of water baptism.
• Membership of a local church.
A Christian is someone who loves
Jesus, has His commands and
obeys His commands.
Conclusion – How do you measure up?
• Have you misunderstood what a Christian really is?
• Are you beginning to see what a Christian really is?
• Are you hearing His voice?
Be encouraged if you can say I love
Jesus, I have His commands and
the bent of my life is obedience to
His commands.
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