HOW TO BELONG TO CHRIST
Do All Believers Belong To Christ?
2 Cor 10:7 Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ's, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ's, even so we are Christ's.
This Bible verse will make one deliberate whether all believers in the churches of the apostolic period belonged to the Lord Jesus Christ for there were envy, strife and divisions among them. They were carnally minded and behaved like worldly people.
1 Cor 3:3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?
Since we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and have full conviction in His gospel, we should question the co-relation between those who belong to Him and those who do not belong to Him. This is important for the Bible records that when the Lord Jesus Christ who is our life appears, we also will appear with Him in glory.
Col 3:4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ hope to live in His glory and become fellow heirs with Him. To avoid His rejection, they must live in Him, follow His footsteps and emulate Him.
Today, members of secular churches have to pass examinations in the theology of priesthood and evangelism. They also have to undergo baptism by way of sprinkling of water which is neither effective for the washing of regeneration nor for the redemption of sins. Nevertheless, they proudly proclaim themselves to be Christians, just as those who have a harlot's forehead but refuse to be ashamed.
Jer 3:3 Therefore the showers have been withheld, And there has been no latter rain. You have had a harlot's forehead; You refuse to be ashamed.
Isa 4:1 And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, "We will eat our own food and wear our own apparel; Only let us be called by your name, To take away our reproach."
The traditions of the world have created believers who are of the world. In fact, the Bible records that “that which is born of the flesh is flesh”.
John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Many people proclaim that they belong to “Christ” but that could be another “Christ” and not the “Lord Jesus Christ” whom we worship. Therefore, we need to observe and compare them with those who truly belong to the Lord Jesus Christ (i.e. those who are filled with the Spirit of God and have the image of the Lord Jesus Christ).
What Are The Characteristics Of Believers Who Belong To Christ?
1. The Spirit Of Christ Dwells In Them
Paul said “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.”
Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
A false Christian is one who is convinced that he belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ but does not have the Holy Spirit abiding in him. The Lord Jesus Christ said, “Do not believe anyone who tells you that “Christ is here” or “Christ is in the secret chambers”, for false Christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”
Mat 24:23-24 Then if anyone says to you, "Look, here is the Christ!' or "There!' do not believe it. 24For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
The Lord Jesus Christ said that false Christs could not perform miracles.
Today, secular churches do not belong to the Lord Jesus Christ for they pursue fame and fortune, indulge in passions and lusts, love money more than God and discard the Truth. When asked whether they have received the Holy Spirit, they will dishonestly proclaim to have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. They will say that they belong to the Lord Jesus Christ but yet have not heard about the down pouring of the Holy Spirit. In contrast, believers of the true church who are called by the grace of God and are baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Those who belong to the Lord Jesus Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Gal 5:24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Today, the Holy Spirit of Truth has set us free for we have been born again to be able to see God face to face, witness His glory, conform to His likeness and emulate His humility. God said that light should shine out of darkness, for He had shone in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of His glory in the face of the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Cor 4:6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
The apostles of old were filled with the Holy Spirit. They emulated the Lord Jesus Christ in both their speech and their deeds. They belonged to the Lord Jesus Christ for they had manifested Him in their lives.
2. Unless He Is In You, You Do Not Belong To The Lord Jesus Christ
2 Cor 13:5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you are disqualified.
Those who do not have the Lord Jesus Christ abiding in their hearts but yet claim to belong to Him will be disqualified, for He will say to them “I do not know you or where you come from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!” The Lord Jesus Christ said that He would not abide in a person who did not abide in Him. Hence, Paul said, “From now on we shall not regard a person according to the flesh for although we once regarded the Lord Jesus Christ in this way but now we no longer do so.”
2 Cor 5:16-17 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
In conclusion, we will fail to grow and attain spiritual maturity, overcome the onslaught of enemies and belong to the Lord Jesus Christ if we do not have His Spirit abiding in our hearts. We will be unable to inherit the heavenly kingdom that He has promised us.
(Holy Spirit Times – 31.03.1933)