12.1.11 "I am a C.. I am a C-H"

"I am a C.. I am a C-H"

Daniel 8:1-27
1 John 2:1-17
Psalm 120:1-7
Proverbs 28:25-26

Remember that children's song? "I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N" Don't you hate it when someone puts a song in your head?

What does it mean to be a Christian? John answers that in today's scripture.

"And how can we be sure that we belong to him? by looking within ourselves: are we really trying to do what he wants us to? Someone may say, 'I am a Christian; I am on my way to heaven; I belong to Christ.' But if he doesn't do what Christ tells him to, he is a liar." 1 John 2:3-4

John is reiterating a very important point: Those who belong to Christ walk in obedience. We should be challenged about the "decision making" process in our day. How many of my decisions are MY decisions, and how many do I stop to inquire of the Lord?

The word "Christian" means "of Christ". We become a Christian by accepting him as savior. He forgives us of our sin. Verse 2 says, "He is the one who took God's wrath against our sins upon himself, and brought us into fellowship with God; and he is the forgiveness for our sins, and not only ours but all the world's."

We know that. That's an awesome thing. But is that it? In John 15:5 Jesus says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit.; apart from me you can do nothing."

The goal of the Christian life is living in the center of his will. Doing whatever he guides us to do. The phrase "apart from me you can do nothing" takes on a new light. I've always read it as "I am the source of your strength." It really means "don't make decisions apart from my direction."

Look at I John 2:5-6. "But those who do what Christ tells them to will learn to love God more and more. That is the way to know whether or not you are a Christian. Anyone who says he is a Christian should live as Christ did."

Walking in obedience causes us to love God more which causes us to walk in obedience which causes us to love God more which... You see the pattern?

"Lord, What would you have me to do?" Should be the posture of our life everyday. Small decisions can have huge consequences if they are made apart from the "vine". In the same way, decisions made "in the vine" can produce so much fruit.

Yes, this stuff may be elementary, but it is SO important. John acknowledges that. "Dear brothers, I am not writing out a new rule for you to obey, for it is an old one you have always had, right from the start. You have heard it all before. Yet it is always new, and works for you just as it did for Christ..." verse 7-8

Am I a C? Am I a C-H? I know I am because he has saved me and I walk in obedience to his will. The highest form of Worship is Obedience. Live the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship.


Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

Pastor Greg Lathe

Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
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