Question 4 What Is a Christian?

 Question 4 What Is a Christian?

A Christian is a person who believes in and confesses Jesus as Savior and Lord. 

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8.15 (NKJV)

I remember the first time I realized what was involved in an adoption. I had a friend in grade school named Teddy who lived in an orphanage. It sounded like a nice place, but it wasn’t a home. One day our teacher announced that Teddy was going to be adopted into a new family. What amazed me the most about this thing was that everything was really based on the family that loved Teddy and wanted to make him a part of their family. 

Being a Christian doesn’t begin with our choosing Jesus but with Jesus choosing us. If it were the other way around, it might be a little wobbly. I make all sorts of choices in life, some good, some not so good. But God’s choosing me to call Him “Abba, Father,” is as good as it gets. I’m safe and secure in His arms. 

Prayer

Thank You Father for bringing me into Your family through Your Son and through Your Holy Spirit. Since You began this work in me, I know You will finish it (Philippians 1.6). I’m happy to believe in Your Son Jesus and confess Him as my Savior. Amen. 

Hymn

1. What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
   Leaning on the everlasting arms;
   What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
   Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Refrain:
Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

2. Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
   Leaning on the everlasting arms;
   Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day,
   Leaning on the everlasting arms.

3. What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
   Leaning on the everlasting arms?
   I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
   Leaning on the everlasting arms.

This series of devotions is based on the questions found in the Explanation to Martin Luther's Small Catechism, 2017 edition. I highly recommend purchasing this book in print, Kindle, or app form. 

Who Would Win? Navy Seal or Roman Centurion

The children in our school love to read the "Who Would Win?" books. These books pose imaginary battles between a scorpion and a tarantula, or a rhinoceros and a tiger, or a polar bear and a grizzly?

Allow me to pose another battle: Who would win in a battle between a modern Navy Seal and a first century Roman Centurion? Using the weapons of the first century, I would have to vote in favor of the Centurion. History shows that Centurions were the backbone of the Roman army. They were highly disciplined soldiers who led their troops in battle. They were especially chosen because of the valor they displayed on the battlefield.

The Centurion at the Cross in Mark chapter fifteen has always interested me. His confession, "Truly this man was the Son of God" (15.39) makes me tremble every time I read it. Here was a man who was truly the "hard-core" of the "hard-corps." Yet, his heart was taken captive by the love of God - a different kind of strength! Centurions had their approach to bad men. They made them bleed and die. But Jesus had a different approach to bad men: He bled and died for them! Centurions annihilated evil, Jesus redeemed evil. Which is stronger? Who ultimately wins? Of course it is the love of God in Jesus Christ.

The crucifixion of Jesus brought about several conversions on the first Good Friday. If you're interested, you can read about the others in my Palm Sunday sermon (April 1, 2012).