What Makes an Individual a Christian - Introduction

The Bible is God's very Word, breathed out by Him, penned by men under the guidance of the Holy Spirit:

2 Peter 1:21 "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of men: but holy men spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."

It was given by inspiration of God for mankind to study as to know how to live a life pleasing to God; and, to know how to know God on a personal level. By studying the Scriptures, we know what doctrines are of God and when they are not.

2 Timothy 3:16 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."

Doctrine: Instruction, teaching, learning, precepts - of God

Reproof: Evidence by which a thing is proved or tested, conviction

Correction: Restoration to an upright or right state, improvement of life or character

Instruction in righteousness: Condition acceptable to God; the way in which man may attain a state approved of God; integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking, feeling, and acting

Between Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning..." through Revelation 22:21 "...Amen" is the history of the relationship between man and God, God and man, and the eternal relevance of the Bible's message. The Bible (my personal view) is the love letter from God to man - each word from Him to each individual born. It's personal. It's powerful. It's convicting. It's priceless.

The entire Bible points to one Person - the Person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Messiah and Savior of the world. The Bible tells us: we are sinners and cannot go to Heaven without forgiveness; Jesus Christ has paid the penalty - in full - for our sins through His death on the cross; each individual gets to choose either to repent, which biblically mean to change their mind about Jesus. It means to change from denying Him as Christ and Savior to full on faith accepting Him as Personal Savior and Lord. Or, not to repent, not to be forgiven, and to pay for their own sins. There is eternal relevance and consequences for the decision.

Parallel Comparison - Human Cultivars

A cultivar is either a single type of plant or group of such differing plants. We are God’s “cultivars.”

Even further than that, as Christians who have accepted Christ as their Personal Saviour – we have been separated out of the mass planting on this earth to be His particular and peculiar cultivars.

Propagation is a process where plants are replicated from a parent plant. Sometimes they are grafted to created unique specimens with specific qualities that can be multiplied and spread.

We are cultivars of Christ when we accept Him as our Saviour. We should graft ourselves to the Word and become even more unique and peculiar – not ornamental as the plant variety. Our ultimate Parent is God Who Himself has assigned the qualities of Christianity through His Son Jesus Christ.

Question: "Is there any Biblical proof to 'believe on' Jesus Christ?'"

The key word being "on" is important.

Anyone can believe "in" God and "in" His Son Jesus Christ. Belief "in" is by intellect. Belief "on" is deeper and is a matter of believing in the heart which requires more than intellect. It requires faith. Belief therefore must be exercised in order to have faith. 

Paul and Silas were in prison for preaching the gospel. There was a great earthquake that rattled so hard, it loosed all the doors and the prisoners. The Philippian Jailer who was on guard at the prison was responsible for all the prisoners and it would be dishonorable if any had escaped. In a moment of "assumption" he was ready to fall on his sword thinking that the prisoners had fled or were going to. However, they all stayed in their places. Paul and Silas had been praying and singing while captive and obviously the Jailor had listened in. He is perhaps overwhelmed too that no one even tried to flee. The Jailor was humbled and became concerned about his salvation. He asked Paul and Silas what he had to do to be saved: Ephesians 2:8 "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." 

How is a person "saved?" It is worth repeating: Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" God extends grace to those who believe through faith and by exercising faith (stronger than knowledge) He hands to one who truly believes the "gift of God" - salvation.

Biblical Proof?

The following verses from my King James Bible all state a person is to "believe on" him. Him being the Son of God, Jesus Christ. With one exception, Romans 10:14, although God does say "believe on" in the verse, there is also the "believe in." One must first believe in the fact that Jesus Christ was born and that He exists. Then as that persons exercises their faith in belief, the equation changes - belief becomes faith. Faith is believing without seeing. Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Luke penned:
Acts 19:4 "Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus."

Paul penned:

Romans 4:24 "But for us also, to whom it shall be impute, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;"
Romans 10:14 "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?"
Philippians 1:29 "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;"
1 Timothy 1:16 "Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should thereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

John penned:
1 John 3:23 "And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment."
1 John 5:13 "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.

It is a matter of the heart, our inner beings, that changes knowledge into faith. And, by faith we are saved. And "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

John recorded these words: John 20:29 "Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."

Leave you with a thought to think about...Those who were alive and saw Jesus' face and walked with Jesus the Christ are the only ones who have seen the image of God. Oh that I could have seen His face. Oh glory that I have believed by faith and will one day see His face!

Why Do We Need Christ? - Because, We are Born Unto Trouble!

Job 5:7 "Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward."

∞

All who are born have a natural tendency toward sin. This is the result of the Fall of Man in the Garden of Eden. Satan lied to Eve and she (no pun intended) bit into it hook, line, and sinker. He told her they would be as gods knowing good and evil. They did, and all descendants, that includes you and me, have an Adamic nature - that nature to sin.

The Bible teaches that all men are sinners. No exclusions.

For those who follow God and have believed on Jesus Christ as their Personal Saviour, the ability and desire to resist sin is available. That does not mean that followers of Christ do not sin, but our free will can be controlled to honor God.

Man is born unto trouble and God has made the way for man to resist entering into trouble.

The Rest of the Mustard Seeds

Last post on the Mustard Seed Verses:

Matthew 13:31-33

(31) Another parable he put to them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: (32) Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. (33) Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened."

The Remaining Verses on the Mustard Seeds:

Now, let’s combine and complete the ‘mustard seed’ verses. Then we will move on to the Biblical verses referencing “Faith”.

Mark 4:30-32 “And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? (31) It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: (32) But when it is sown, it growth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.”

Luke 13:18-21 “Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? (19) It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden: and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it. (20) And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? (21) It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.”

 ~ * ~

All of the ‘parable of mustard seed’ verses are in complete unison proving the harmony of the gospels.

Jesus uses the mustard seed parables to explain to the disciples how Christianity and the work of grace would begin small and progress into a mighty kingdom. Jesus likened the Christian Body of Christ (the kingdom of God) to that tiny seed with a small beginning and the future of being the most substantial of herbs. Jesus used parables (earthly stories with heavenly meanings) quite a few times to help those around Him understand what He was saying to them. He wanted them to grasp the full intensity of what He was teaching.

Matthew Henry explained the parable well:

“Christ speaks as one considering the consulting with himself, how to illustrate it with an apt similitude; With what comparison shall we compare it? Shall we fetch it from the notions of the sun, or the revolutions of the moon? No, the comparison is borrowed from this earth, it is like a grain of mustard-seed; he had compared it before to seed sown, here to that seed, intending thereby to show,

1. That the beginnings of the gospel kingdom would be very small, like that which is one of the least of all seeds. When a Christian church was sown in the earth for God, it was all continued in one room, and the number of the names was but one hundred and twenty (Acts 1:15)¹, as the children of Israel when they went down into Egypt, were but seventy souls. The work of grace in the soul, is, at first, but the day of small things; a cloud of no bigger than a man's hand. Never were there such great things undertaken by such an inconsiderable handful, as that of the discipling of the nations by the ministry of the apostles; nor a work that was to end in such great glory, as the work of grace raised from such weak and unlikely beginnings. Who hath begotten me these? 

2. That the perfection of it will be very great; When it grows up, it becomes greater than all the herbs. The gospel kingdom in the world, shall increase and spread to the remotest nations of the earth, and shall continue to the latest ages of time. The church hath shot out great branches, strong ones, spreading far, and fruitful. The work of grace in the soul has mighty products, now while it is in its growth; but what will it be, when it is perfected in heaven? The difference between a grain of mustard seed and a great tree, is nothing to that between a young convert on earth and a glorified saint in heaven.”

Christ, the Messiah, was the “Seed” of Christianity (I say that in total respect of my Saviour). He was one Person. After His death, burial, resurrection, and the witnessing of His ascension, His disciples gathered in the upper room where the 120 met for safety reasons. Just as Jesus promised to send a Comforter, the Holy Spirit came in, filled and anointed them and the Christian church was planted.

God is at work building His kingdom. The “leaven” as stated in Luke 13:18-21 is at work. Just as leaven helps breads to rise and spread, the leaven of grace is helping Christianity rise and spread out.

Satan has many people blinded to Christ and it may seem as though he is doing a fine job at hindering the work; however, his failure is eminent. The work of God is very significant and His kingdom is being built strongly with millions of faithful followers all over this planet. Believers, no matter how small their mustard seed of faith is, make a tremendous difference when united together with other Christians. Together, we can accomplish great things for Christ.

 ~ * ~

¹Acts 1:15 “And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about hundred and twenty,”

Other Study References Used:

Thomas Nelson King James Study Bible

Tyndale Life Application Bible King James Version

OF OTHER NOTE:

Studying about the mustard plant I picked up some tidbits of information to share about the characteristics of mustard compared to our lives in a Biblical sense:

Characteristics of Mustard:

1.   Any of several annual plants of the mustard family, with yellow flowers and slender pods contained round seeds.

Cynthia: The sun is yellow like the flowers of the mustard plant. Without sunshine plants would not grow. Jesus is the light of the world, as the sun lights the earth, God’s word lights our path to righteousness. Without the gospel of Jesus Christ our faith could not grow and we would not have the hope of Heaven. Humans are shaped like slender pods and are full of seeds (sin seeds or faith seeds) and we are contained to a round earth. Our heads are shaped roundly – like the mustard seed. Our knowledge of Christ should grow within our minds and down to our hearts.

2.   The ground or powdered seeds of some species of these plants, often prepared as a paste, used as a pungent seasoning for foods, or as a counter-irritant in medicine.

Cynthia: The Gospel, when read and studied (ground), is a pungent seasoning for our soul. Like the paste that would be sticky, we should allow God’s Word to stick in our minds and our hearts. It is the great word of God! And, as mustard is a counter-irritant in medicine, the Gospel is a counter-irritant to sin.

3.   The color of ground mustard a dark yellow – adj. designating or of a family of plants with cross-shaped flowers, pointed pods, and strong, cabbage-like odors, including cabbage, turnip, broccoli, radish, horseradish, alyssum, etc. – ‘cut the mustard’ (colloquial) to come up to expectation or to the required standard.

Cynthia: Dark yellow as a golden sunset to remind us of another day God has allowed us to be blessed with countless breaths. Here are the tears – some of the plants have cross-shaped flowers. Jesus Christ was nailed to a wooden cross for me where He died. How appropriate He chose this plant with pointed pods – pointing to the way He would be crucified - on a cross, the same as the shape of the flowers. The odor is strong, such should the odor of our existence here for Him in this place we are just passing through until our physical bodies cease to live; or, He steps out of Heaven and splits the Eastern sky! Jesus Christ lived (and died) up to the expectations of His Father – God. So should we be able as Christians to “cut the mustard.”

MORE:

1. Mustard oil: oil extracted from mustard seed, used in making soap

     Cynthia: Like the mustard oil, the Gospel is for our study to show us how to be washed as white as snow with the soap of forgiveness provided through the death on the cross of our Saviour.

2. Mustard plaster: a paste made with powdered mustard, spread on a cloth and applied to the skin is a counter-irritant to rubefacient (Rubefacient: to redden, causing redness, as of the skin, any external application, salve or plaster, causing redness of the skin)

     Cynthia: The Gospel is our “paste”. By opening the pages of the Holy Bible, God’s breathed word, and applying it to our sinful lives, the irritants of sin can be healed and removed for all who will believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God and follow His commandments.

Study: Matthew 13:31-32 "The Parable of the Mustard Seed"

Matthew 13: (31) “Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: (32) Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.”

This parable represents the church’s growth. Jesus uses the mustard seed as an example of that growth. The mustard seed is tiny, must be planted, germinates, grows slowly in the beginning, and in the proper climate it grows into a substantial tree that birds nest in its strong protective branches. So, likewise, the church may have begun small; however, it will spread out continually and become proverbially greater than man’s mind can comprehend.

“God’s kingdom has small beginnings; however, will grow and produce great results” (Tyndale KJV Life Application Study Bible). Matthew Henry says: “This parable is to show the beginnings of the gospel would be small, but its latter end would greatly increase; in this way the work of grace in the heart, the kingdom of God within us, would be carried on.  In the soul where grace truly is, it will grow really; though perhaps at first not to be discerned, it will at last come to great strength and usefulness.” John Wesley stated: “So will the Christian doctrine spread in the world, and the life of Christ in the soul.”

I pray I’ve not ventured ‘out on a limb’; but, I asked the Holy Spirit to help me deliver the parallels that were triggered in my mind. I hope you may ‘grow’ from these illustrations:

The Mustard Seed Became a Substantial Tree: A man took a tiny mustard seed sowed it in his field; the seed died in the soil, germinated, sprouted, and a tender plant emerged from the soil growing slowly. In the proper climate with the man tending to it the seedling grew into a mighty tree of great strength and usefulness and birds flocked to it for shelter in its strong branches.

The Church Becoming a Mighty Kingdom: Men took Jesus the Christ and sowed Him to a cross with nails. He died, was buried, defeated death, and the third day rose from the dead and emerged from His tomb, which remains empty. For forty days He appeared to many people before ascending back to Heaven. In an upper room the remaining eleven Apostles and disciples were gathered where the New Testament Church began growing and spreading out its branches. With proper climate and nourishment from God’s Word and presence of the Holy Spirit, the New Testament church began and is growing into a strong and mighty kingdom to which sinners flock for shelter in its strong branches.

A Sinner Becomes a Substantial Christian: A sinner carries sin seeds plowing a road to Hell. He/she learns that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died in their stead and provided payment for their sins. He/she truly repents, asks forgiveness, and by faith accepts Jesus as his/her personal Saviour. Jesus buries his/her sins in the soil of forgiveness. A newborn Christian emerges and slowly starts growing. By being planted in the proper climate and being nourished from God’s Word and Doctrines, he/she experiences spiritual growth becoming a substantial Christian of strength and usefulness to God.

The Gospel will continue spreading to the uttermost parts of the earth and souls will grow in grace. “That grace which leads the soul to the fullness of glory may begin, and often does, in a single good desire - a wish to escape hell, or a desire to enjoy God in heaven” (Clarke).

God began His kingdom small in size. It grew slowly in the beginning, as the mustard seed does, and His kingdom is growing as men do not expect it to grow and He will show His might and power more than any man could ever expect!

Poem: "A Faith Like That" Copyright (c) September 8, 2008 Cynthia S Groff

In the next post I will expound on our first 'Mustard Seed' verse. I have more studying to do! 

This morning, I wanted to share a poem with you that I began in December 2007 and completed in September 2008. It took me a little too long didn't it? However, let me tell you a little about the background of this poem. 

Prior to being diagnosed with terminal breast cancer, I was reading of the woman with the issue of blood and thinking about how diligently this woman sought out the Lord for healing. How desperate she was.  Yet, how much faith she had and belief that Jesus was the One person she knew in her heart that could bring about a miracle in her body! Little did I know that the Lord had already begun to allow a test to be revealed to teach me just what kind of faith I have. He was allowing cancer to be the vehicle to test my faith through the tribulation of the battle. Her battle literally drove her to her knees...not just on her knees, but crawling on her knees through dusty dirt and between peoples trampling feet. She pressed on through the press who were surrounding Jesus...the only One that could heal her.

My thought that night when reading my Bible was: "O, if I could only have a faith like that"! Well, I'm trying! I do want to be a woman who will be on my knees crawling diligently and fervently against the press of troubles in prayer to reach Heaven where Jesus is now. O to touch the hem of His garment for others (and for myself)! 

A Faith Like That

Copyright  © September 8, 2008 Cynthia S Groff

(Began December 28, 2007 – Completed September 8, 2008)

There was a woman with an issue of blood sick for many years

Spent all she had to be cured and hardly nothing left but tears

That “hardly nothing” left was a faith inside her heart

She knew she had nothing to lose so from home she did depart

Her destination decided she gathered all her might

To walk the many miles to find Him in her sight

Many were gathered around the One who she knew she needed

Absolutely determined in her heart not to be defeated

She reached the crowd and begged to be let through

Now her faith unbridled this she had to do

The press was great upon the Man whom she had come to see

If there was anyone who could cure her surely it was He

She knelt upon the ground dust swirled around her face

Crawled upon her hands and knees struggled to keep her pace

Determined she would not give up and displayed no hesitation

To reach the One-and-Only was her ultimate destination

Desperate to reach Him using all her might she tried

Just a few more feet and she would be along His side

Her arm outstretched she forged on refusing to be grim

She felt her fingers slightly touch His garment on the hem

“Who touched me?” He asked as the crowd became silent all around

As the One-and-Only looked and saw the woman on the ground

She looked up into His face and said that it was she

He held out His hand and helped her up and off her knees

Rabbi it was I, I knew you were the One

And since I touched your garments’ hem I know it has been done

The issue of blood I’ve had for many years has finally been relieved

In You the One-and-Only I so faithfully believed

“I knew you were on your way”, He said, “So I slowed down you see,

“It was your faith in action that has now set you free”

Believing this woman He did heal, I desire in my heart and mind

That I would have what that lady had, a Faith like that same kind

Inspired by:

A woman with great faith!