Who we are in Jesus Christ?

Text: Ephesians 1:3-4

Once upon a time Moses asked God, “Who am I”? It’s very important for us to know who am I in jesus. In this present world if we ask nobody can answer with certainty, who you are? We are precious in His sight because He has called by our name. It signifies that God knows everything about you.  

1. We are the children of God. John 1:12

We are not orphans but the creator of this heaven and the earth is our father. 1 John 3:1-2 there is no doubt that we are sons and daughters of God. But there is a condition to this privilege, which is very simple, that the status of being children of God is given to the ones who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Whenever you feel alone remember that God is your father.

2. We are the friends of God. John 15:15

Friends are very essential part of our daily life. But sometimes human friends may not understand you or meet your needs but heavenly friend can do everything for you. Verse 13-14….He has given His life for you and me; this is the expression of His friendship, which is quite sacrificial in nature.

3. We are justified. Romans 5:1  

We are righteous ones in Jesus Christ. There are many who live in guilt, sin and feeling of defeat in their day today life but we are beyond the boundaries of such feelings because Christ has, by His sacrifice, justified us. The feeling of being justified is an amazing experience, it can only be experienced by the ones who have know Jesus and freedom that follows along.

4. We are one in Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 6:17

1 John 1:3 we are connected with heavenly father, 1 Cor. 1:9 Jesus Christ, Phil. 2:1 Holy Spirit and John 15:7 Word of God. We, just as fish can’t live without water, can’t live without Him (John 15:5). God is the foundation in which we have our being. The fellowship with Holy trinity is the greatest form of communion anyone can ever have.

5. We are the temple of God. 1 Corinthians 6:19

We all go to church building but that not where God resides. The real place where God could be found is the body of believers. God of the Bible unlike other gods doesn’t reside in human-made structures but in His beautiful creation- HUMAN BEING. But the temple has to be clean for God to make His abode. 

6. We are the Body of Christ 1 Cor. 12:27

Source: A sermon preached by Pastor B. Wilson at PCG, ITARSI

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CHRISTIANS AND THE IDEA OF FRIENDSHIP

The picture of the minion-friends on the left might appear quite funny because it is. In one of the pieces of writing by Aelred of Rievaulx, a 12th-century Cistercian abbot, On Spiritual Friendship. Aelred challenges that every christian that they must examine their opinion about friendship with Scripture. The discourse is a discussion in which three abbots join Aelred to scrutinize their notions about friendship from Bible. And I think that is very pertinent also, especially, in the time such as our's, where people have forgotten the meaning and art of friendship and just end up their life in misery just because of their erroneous understanding of friends and friendship. How can we find true friendship in this often phony and momentary world? Bible has something to inform us about. Below is a Biblical analysis about the concept of friendship.

CHRISTIAN FRIENDSHIP: TWO BIBLICAL MODELS

The biblical model of Friendship stands in contrast to what world might accept. Below are two models:

1. COUNSELLOR-FRIENDSHIP MODEL
    {JESUS TO DISCIPLES}

The first model of Christian friendship is counselor model. In this model one is responsible of counselling, guiding, mentoring, advising and discipling anyone he/she is in friendship with. This is more of a ministry based model. In the Bible we see many great leaders, prophets and man of God mentoring and guiding their fellow co-workers, in instances disciples.  And above all Jesus’ kind of friendly relationship also falls in this category. This is a relationship that has much to do with Christian ministry, similar to the kind Jesus' model which He had with his disciples. There are a number of people around us, could also be found in our touch, sometime we might like calling them friends. As a Christian friend, we have this responsibility towards them to counsel them to make their way towards Christ or if already saved, guide them to be Godly, in a larger scale.

2. COUNSELEE-FRIENDSHIP 
   {DISCIPLES TO JESUS}

In a counselee model of friendship, we are like the one who is being counseled, mentored, advised guided and discipled by our counsellor-friend. Anyone can come in this category. The one who needs someone to share his/her feeling, emotions, thoughts, burdens and get some encouragements in the times of need. Many people search someone, not necessarily more aged rather more experienced or wise, tempered, serene and spiritually mature to get guidance from for the crucial decisions of life. This is very pivotal when one is growing and in need of some necessary advises from right person in the right time. After God, everyone must have someone on this earth to always be there to assist in the times of need, a shoulder to lay head when the world come crashing down in highs and lows of life. In times God appoints individuals in our life to take His place and do His task in and through our lives. This is more of a type of friendship that disciples had with Jesus.

A Christians can, if wish to be, a counsellor or a counselee at the same time but to different people but with all cognizant of responsibility of a counsellor and an attitude of submission of a counselee.  

CHARACTERISTICS OF A TRUE CHRISTIAN FRIEND

So, what does a true Christian friendship look like? Let's break it down into traits that are easy to identify.

A. LOVES SACRIFICIALLY

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Jesus has already gone the way. We are to follow Him in sacrificing our life for the one we love.

B. ACCEPTS UNCONDITIONALLY

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

We learn the best of friendships with brothers and sisters who know and accept our weaknesses and inadequacies. For notice, no one is perfect in this world but only GOD.

C. TRUSTS COMPLETELY

Proverbs 18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

D. OFFERS A BALANCED ADMONISHMENT

Proverbs 27:6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted ... (NIV) True Christian friends will shape each other up emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Friends like to be together simply because it feels good. And at times, even if our friends don’t like, we must wound our friends with sword of WORD of GOD, to cater their spiritual needs. And its ok!!! 

Let's become wise in making friends and be a good friend, as scriptures tell us to be.

“A blessed thing it is for any man or woman to have a friend; one human soul whom we can trust utterly; who knows the best and the worst of us, and who loves us in spite of all our faults; who will speak the honest truth to us, while the world flatters us to our face, and laughs at us behind our back; who will give us counsel and reproof in the day of prosperity and self-conceit; but who, again, will comfort and encourage us in the day of difficulty and sorrow, when the world leaves us alone to fight our own battle as we can.” 

                                                                                                        by Charles Kingsley

HAPPY FRIENDSHIP DAY!!!!

further readings;

David and Jonathan

Elijah and Elisha 

Job’s friends

Jesus and disciples 

Image Source: http://quotesnhumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Top-30-Funny-Minions-Friendship-Quotes-Funny.jpg

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