11 March 2013 by Tony Dibble-
This article highlights twelve areas where the Christian stands in contrast to someone who is outside the life of Christ. We know our condition and we have certainty in our lives on earth. We have a clear direction about how to live in the joy of Christ and towards the world around us. These twelve characteristics serve as an audit and compliance of GOD’s plan of things for our lives.
Firstly, the Christian is restored to GOD and is in Him (Gal 2:16; 2 Cor 6:16). The unsaved person remains fallen and this means that he is not a restored personality in the eyes of GOD (Rom 1:18-32; 1 Pet 1:14).
Secondly, the role of a Christian is to be a witness for GOD (Acts 1:8) whereas the unsaved person serves only himself (Matt 6: 19 & 32).
The focus of a Christian is Christ (John 15: 4) whereas the unsaved person focuses on himself (Matt 12:30; Eph 4:19).
The chief aim of a Christian is to glorify GOD in everything that he does (1 Cor 10:31) but the chief aim of the unsaved person is to satisfy his own instincts (Jude 4, 10 & 16; 2 Pet 2:18).
The direction of life in a Christian is to live in Christ (John 15: 4; Gal 5:24; Col 3: 5, 8 & 9) whereas the unsaved person is directed by his love of the world and all that it stands for (1 John 2: 15).
The two influences on a Christian are the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16) and the power of the Holy Spirit (John 16: 13; Acts 1: 8). The non-believer is on his own with no equivalent of any spiritual guidance from his Creator. He is seen, at worst, as the son of the devil (Jn 8:44) when he opts to seek quarrel with Christ.
In his conduct in the world, the Christian is influenced by GOD’s love and joy (John 13: 34 & 35; 14: 15; Gal 5: 22 & 23). The Christian also has a love of mankind (Gal 5: 14; Matt 5: 44; Matt 22: 37 – 40). To the unsaved, his/her life is governed by the desire of the eyes and the flesh and the desires of this life (Gen 3: 6; 1 John 2: 6; 1 Pet 2: 11 & 12).
The behaviour of a Christian involves prayer, meditating on the word of GOD and in his faith, he is engaged in fasting, worshipping GOD, praising Him, plus engaged in evangelism, charity and fellowship (2 Cor 7:1; Phil 2: 4; Mark 11: 25; Rom 12: 18 & 21; Eph 5: 20; Psalms 68: 19; 1 Tim 6: 11; Phil 4: 8 & 1 Pet 1: 15). The unsaved person is destructive, unduly competitive, prejudiced, fearful, manipulative and coveteous (Rom 3: 10 -18; 1 John 4: 20).He is therefore totally insecure and fear is the emotion that sustains him.
The earthly state of a Christian is living at peace with GOD (Rom 5:1) whereas the non-believer lives in a troubled situation (John 16: 33).
The treasure within the heart of a Christian is in Heaven (Matt 6: 20; John 18: 36). The non-believer has his treasure centred on this earth (Matt 6: 19).
The foundation of a Christian is solid rock in the words of Christ (Matt 7: 24) but the foundation of the unsaved person is washed away in time of trouble as it is built on the equivalent of sand (Matt 7: 26).
The eternal state of a Christian is unification with GOD in Heaven (Rom 8: 1; 2 Cor 5: 1; Rev 21: 10 to 22: 5). The unsaved person is scheduled for hell (Luke 12: 20 & 21, 16: 23 & 24; Rev 20: 12 – 15; Rev 21: 8).
There are no two ways about it: being in Christ or being outside His orbit as clear cut as day and night, and the boundaries are very clearly drawn with no fudges or blurred distinctions between them. We cannot water down the rules of GOD to accommodate socio-cultural laxity. We should daily be sober and vigilant and check our lives at each moment to ensure that we do not slip across spiritual frontiers carelessly.
Note: Tony Dibble worships at Endeavour Christian Gathering in Mullaloo Perth, Australia for about 7 years. Prior to this, he was at Church of Our Holy Saviour, Labuan, East Malaysia. When he is in Kuala Lumpur, he now worships at Faith Oasis Fellowship Subang Jaya, Selangor.
Dear Viewers in Christ, if you find this article edifying to you, please share with your friends or loved ones by using the social media plugs (Share, Email to this article). The Lord will surely bless you as you bless others. May the Lord’s peace and love be with you. Amen.
Reference of pictures:
http://evenifministries.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/light-vs-dark.jpg
http://blog.outreach.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/11ShareFaith_400_599893683.jpg
http://www.kirkvillewesleyan.org/pastorsdesk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/walking-with-jesus.jpg
http://www.mysahana.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/south-asian-friends.jpg
http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lrmfqiwFCd1r0opwzo1_500.jpg
http://www.creativeartstore.com/bmz_cache/c/c2fcc846bac5299d8d6bba5e53a04a93.image.270×189.jpg
http://www.markethillelim.co.uk/wpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/dare-to-be-a-disciple-300×116.png
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