Wearing the Name Christian

The word Christian denotes an adherent of Jesus. The term occurs three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). We must realize that wearing the name Christian, so as to honor it, is very demanding.

To wear the name means we are connected to a particular person, Jesus Christ. We do not love the world. Our attachment is not to the world nor the things in it (1 John 2:15), but to Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of the living God. He is our Saviour (1 John 4:14, redeemer (Ephesians 1:7), example (1 Peter 2:21). He is our only access to the Father (John 14:6). The Christian is one whose entire life revolves around Christ (Galatians 2:20).

To wear the name Christian means we are dedicated to a particular life style. A life that is not regulated by the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) but a life committed to godliness because we have been washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). A life whose affections are set on things above (Colossians 3:1). Who continually strives to produce in his life the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, etc. (Galatians 5:22-23).

Are we professing the name or are we genuinely wearing the name? Let our lives be as becometh the gospel of Christ.

Bill Cantrell