Introduction:<\/p>\n
There are those who would say that there is no difference between one who is a follower of Christ and those who are not, except that the disciple has have received Christ in their heart and accepted salvation through the grace of God. They say that we are all sinners and all make mistakes. When those who call themselves followers of Christ live much as everyone else in the world, they often excuse themselves and say, \u201cWell we are not perfect, but we are saved.\u201d <\/p>\n
Those around us who see the lives of those who profess to be followers of Christ often are very skeptical and say, \u201cIn what way are they different, they do the same things I do. They cheat a little to get by, they lie once in a while when that’s what it takes. They come out with a dirty joke or blurt out a curse word when they get mad or something hurts them.\u201d From this they conclude that Christians are a bunch of hypocrites. This makes it very hard for anyone attempting to teach others about Christ to get people to take them seriously. The non-Christian already thinks it is impossible to really live the Christian life, and the lives of those who claim to be Christians seems to them to be the best proof of that.<\/p>\n
So, it is important to analyze and see. Is the only difference in the life of the follower of Christ the fact that he trusts in Christ to forgive his sins through grace and the non-Christian does not? Does the Scripture indicate that there is a difference in the life that the Christian lives? Let us see what God says about this. <\/p>\n
It is not necessary to spend much time discussing whether the follower of Christ is saved by grace. We know that is true. Nor would it be correct to say that the Christian doesn’t ever sin. We know that all sin. Then in what way is the follower of Christ different?<\/p>\n
In this lesson we will prove from what we see in the Bible that there is a real and substantial difference in the life of a true follower of Christ. The reasons why this must be so will be stated one by one throughout this lesson.<\/p>\n
Reason 1: True disciples of Christ have made a choice.<\/p>\n
Notice what we find in Galatians 5:24 \u201cAnd those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.\u201d Those who are not followers of Christ have not made this decision yet. Crucified means to put it to death. God’s Spirit revealed through Paul the inspired apostle that it was that fact that made it impossible for the Christian to live as he did before. Romans 6:1-4 says:<\/p>\n
1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.<\/p>\n
There are two points that are especially important here. First, we see the reason stated why the one who is baptized (immersed in water) cannot continue to accept sin as a way of life. The believer has \u201cdied to sin.\u201d Notice also, that the words here say \u201clive in it (sin).\u201d This is not talking about fall, a mistake as the result of a momentary weakness. It is talking about continuing to practice disobedience as a way of life. This verse says that such is an impossibility. That type of life that the person lived before has come to an abrupt end because of a change in the person’s way of thinking. When one hears what Christ did to save him, when he sees the price Christ paid, it so impacts his thinking that he now hates sin. Living that way anymore is something he can no longer tolerate. That way of life is dead! This change is what the New Testament calls repentance. Because this change has taken place the person’s life, he will never be the same again unless he denies his choice to serve God and decides to return to the former way of living. In this case he would no longer be considered a follower of Christ. That is a real possibility, and the nature of that turning back is described in 2 Peter 2:20-22:<\/p>\n
20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”<\/p>\n
Reason 2: The difference is commanded by God and no one can be called a follower of Christ if he does not show that difference in his life.<\/p>\n
First we see 2 Timothy 2:19:<\/p>\n
But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”<\/p>\n
The change is not an option. It is a mandatory change. It is a requirement in order for God to accept the person as 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 shows clearly. As he writes concerning the necessity of separating themselves from idolatrous practices Paul writes this:<\/p>\n
17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”<\/p>\n
Not touching the unclean thing refers to leaving sin and all false religion. That is a necessary for us to be \u201csons and daughters.\u201d<\/p>\n
Also in Romans 12:2:<\/p>\n
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.<\/p>\n
Followers of Christ, live differently because their minds have been changed or transformed by learning God’s word. The change is visible to people around them. Indeed, there is a real contrast. Philippians 2:12-15 points this out:<\/p>\n
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without grumbling or questioning, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, <\/p>\n
In order for them to be lights in the world, there had to be a noticeably different behavior. This is far beyond simply \u201cgoing to church\u201d or reading the Bible, or giving money to a religious institution. It was a real change in life. This is spoken of in 1 Peter 4:1-4:<\/p>\n
1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you;<\/p>\n
Notice that there was so much difference between their life and the life of those in the world around them that the people who had known them before they came to be followers of Christ were disturbed by the difference. The difference was such that it gave rise to criticism.<\/p>\n
Reason 3: The difference in the way of life is necessary in order for God to be glorified and to provoke others to take the Christian way of living seriously enough to make a change in their own life.<\/p>\n
This is clear from what we find in 1 Peter 2:12-16:<\/p>\n
12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. 13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.<\/p>\n
The difference in the way of living would cause people to glorify God. This could only be true if there were substantial positive changes in the character of the people who’s lives they were observing. Christians should always be aware that there are always those who observe them and that their lives in all aspects either glorify God or cause the name of God to be spoken against.<\/p>\n
Even the behavior of slaves that were followers of Christ was to have that same effect as we see in Titus 2:9-12:<\/p>\n
Slaves are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,<\/p>\n
Adorn here means to make more attractive, more beautiful. They were to adorn the teaching of Christ so that those who were unbelievers would want to listen to it. It was unlikely that the slave master would want to hear anything from an untrustworthy slave who was always arguing and giving him problems.<\/p>\n
1 Peter 3:1-5 teaches that the ladies who were Christ’s followers were to exhibit changed lives so that if their husbands had not obeyed Christ yet, they would be attracted to do so.<\/p>\n
1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external–the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear– 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, <\/p>\n
We see that being a follower of Christ was to affect the behavior of the wives, causing them to be respectful, pure and showing an excellent character and creating in them a gentile and quiet spirit. It even influenced them to dress themselves modestly, putting emphasis on the spiritual, not the physical or outward beauty. These changes that were created in her by God’s word were impressive enough to potentially change their husbands and cause them to obey Christ.<\/p>\n
Reason 4: The difference is necessary so that the follower of God may be partakers of the divine nature.<\/p>\n
This is the reason for all that God has done with mankind. Unless that change has taken place, nothing has been accomplished. The change of heart (repentance) that God has produced though his goodness produces a change in what the person desires. As he turns away from sin and turns to doing right, we begin to see a person who has God’s nature. That simply means that the person begins to think, speak, and act as God does.<\/p>\n
That is what 2 Peter 1:4 says:<\/p>\n
by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.<\/p>\n
2 Corinthians 3:18 is also important to notice in this respect:<\/p>\n
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.<\/p>\n
It is a process, as we see from the words \u201care being transformed.\u201d But, no true follower of Christ will exempt himself from this change. This change is not automatic! It requires study, prayer and obedience. 1 Peter 1:14-19 also instructs us:<\/p>\n
14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.<\/p>\n
God requires that we be like Him. This effects all our conduct in everything we do. We mirror in our words and deeds the One who’s image we wear.<\/p>\n
Reason 5: The follower of Christ must be holy in order to carry out His work that is required of all who are his followers.<\/p>\n
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.<\/p>\n
This verse says that followers of Christ are a special people selected by God and made holy and able to carry out the work of causing others to see how great and wonderful God is. How difficult, yes even impossible it would be for people who are not a holy people to carry out such a work. Holiness is necessary to have a relationship with God. A relationship with God is necessary to be able to do his work. John 15:3-5 is clear:<\/p>\n
3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.<\/p>\n
Without that purity and that relationship with God that it makes possible, we could not cause people in this world to see the glory of God.<\/p>\n
Conclusion:<\/p>\n
There are many, many other parts of the Scripture that we could mention here. But, what has been presented shows that there is a great difference between the life of the follower of Christ and those who have not yet made the determination to serve Him. The difference is not just some vague belief in God and Christ. The difference exists because there has been a change of heart, a decision that the true Christian has made to leave sin and change his life in response to the commands of God so that he can show a good example and glorify God in all he does. His ability to carry out the work that God has given him depends upon that!<\/p>\n
We must refuse the shallow and unproductive teaching that one is saved by the grace of God simply by believing, without the change of heart and life that Christ requires of his followers. There is no joy and no victory in continuing in a life of sin, never becoming like God or equipping ourselves to carry out his work of showing forth his glory to others in this dark world. The wicked people of this world will not be motivated to change if we, ourselves, are not changed by that which we profess!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Introduction: There are those who would say that there is no difference between one who is a follower of Christ and those who are not, except that the disciple has have received Christ in their heart and accepted salvation through … Continue reading