Christians, Living as Christ's Bearers
Christian, your identification with Christ is a bequeath, live up to it.
1 John 5:13 (KJV) These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Where I came from, new babies are given their names seven (for boys) or eight days (for girls) after birth. At such christenings (also known as child naming ceremonies), new babies receive their names from their parents. Often, those new names are reflections of some incidents in the parents' past, or their aspirations, and hopes for their their babies' future.
Therefore, many parents only give their children specific names after due diligence.
As the child is growing up, he or she is constantly reminded and regaled with his given name. "Don't forget your name. Don't forget that you are the child of your father. Don't forget the home you came from. Don't forget whose child you are. ..."
In other words, your name is a a bequeath, live up to it.
As those children transit from infancy into adulthood, many of them do imbibe the character traits or have their life-fortunes tallying with the earlier aspirations, hopes, and expectations coded in their given names.
As a baby, you had no choicen or say in the name your parents gave you. Even though you can legally change your name as an adult, while growing up, your given name sticks with you as your shadow.
When I became a Christian, at baptism, the pastor asked me, "What is your name… ?" Cheerfully and solemnly, I replied, "My name is Christopher …" Afterward, I made confession of my faith in Jesus Christ as I was immersed into the waters of the long receeded river. I got baptized. I still remember the place, even though I can no longer trace the route to that particular spot.
At my christening, my dad gave me my firstname. After being Born Again, on the day I got baptized, I rechristened myself - Christopher.
I knew it to be a Christian name, but I never knew its full meaning.
In those days, there is a sectionof Oxford English Learners' Dictionary (by A. S. Hornby) that listed some common English names and their meanings.
Christopher means Christ's bearer. I'm no longer sure if the meaning dawned on me before or after my conversion. But I'm glad that the Savior counted me worthy to bear His name.
Ah. Yes, that is almost similar to Apostle Paul's declaration.
Galatians 6:17 (NIrV) 17 From now on, let no one cause trouble for me. My body has marks that show I belong to Jesus.
As Christians, must never forget that they are children of the Heavenly King, Jesus Christ. Therefore our walk and conduct must be such as matches our Christian professions.
Philippians 1:27 (KJV) Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.
What happens when our lives and conducts contradict the image of Christ we claim to carry? People make mockery of our faith and it becomes more difficult for us to convince them of our gospel preaching. Why? Because we lead lives that are contrary to the change we claimed Christ has peformed in us.
Romans 2:24 (NIrV) It is written, "The Gentiles say evil things against God's name because of you."
The Christian life is a journey of faith. It is through faith that we became God's children. Also, we live by faith. And as we hold the Lord's hand by faith, He gives you the power to live as His children.
John 1:12 (KJV) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.
In life, children resemble either of their parents in at least one or many physiological or character traits. It's all in the genes. So much is this expectation self-evident that Christians sing this song in a Nigeria language that rhymes so well.
"A child of God who tells lies, whom does he/she resemble."
Replace the lies in that lively rhyme with every other vileness of sins (in turn) - cheating, deception, lying, fornication, drunkenness, anger, unforgiving spirit, murder etc., the challenge of that exhortation still holds true.
If as a Christian, you are still enmeshed in all these sinful acts, wilfully, and deliberately, whom will you say you resemble? Definitely not Christ.
John 8:44 (KJV) Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
As Christians we are bequeathed with the name and image of Christ.
Apostle Paul admonished that we were called to be saints.
Romans 1:7 (KJV) To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
It becomes of us to live up to that high and holy calling.
Romans 13:12-14 (KJV)
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Hebrews 6:3 (KJV) And this will we do, if God permit.