Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me; for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me." John 8:41
Here, Jesus says that the dissimilarity between the Jews and Abraham makes them bastards. Hence, their claim to be the children of Abraham is only a nominal one. Their true father is the devil (see 8:44).
Likewise, this is also true of most people who call themselves Christian, but who bear no evidence in keeping with that name. Their claim to be Christian is only a nominal one because their true father is the devil.
The New Testament scriptures are very clear on what it takes to be a Christian and what a Christian looks like. Someone who claims to be a Christian and does not pursue holiness but revels in the same lifestyle they did prior to their "conversion" is not a Christian in the least.
Some fools these days refuse to call themselves "Christian" (for a number of illogical arguments) but instead call themselves "Jesus Followers." I am sorry to say, but the two are one in the same. A Christian is a Jesus Follower, and a Jesus Follower is a Christian. Whether you call yourself a "Christian" or a "Jesus Follower," if you do not bear any evidence to support that claim, then your claim is false and you are neither. You do not belong to Jesus or the Father, you are still dead in your sins, your father is the devil, and you will find yourself in Hell when you die. I am sorry, but the Bible is very clear on this. Faith alone will not save you. You need the right kind of faith, and works must proceed from that faith.
Kinds of Faith
- Intellectual or Historical Faith.
This apprehends the truth intellectually as a result of education, tradition, rearing, etc. It is human and does not save. Matthew 7:26, Acts 26:27-28, James 2:19- Miracle Faith.
This is faith to perform or have performed a miracle and may or may not be accompanied by salvation. Matthew 8:10-13, 17-20, Acts 14:9- Temporary Faith.
It seems similar to intellectual faith except that there seems to be more personal interest involved. Luke 8:13- Saving Faith.
This is a reliance on the truth of the Gospel as revealed in the Word of God (intellectual, emotional and volitional [act of will] faith).TO BELIEVE (verb) in the full sense is to rely on, trust in, commit oneself to the object of belief.
People who claim to be "Christians" or "Jesus Followers" get angry when you tell them this stuff because they do not read their Bibles. If they happen to, they sure are not paying any amount of attention to what is being said. When I read the New Testament, I am convicted on every page. The church has been preached a false gospel for so long that Christians and people who think they are Christians believe lies about how they can be. Stop listening only to what some pastor says and open your Bible and read it for yourself! The way to heaven is a narrow road because so much is demanded of you. Why do you think Jesus tells people to count the cost of what it means to follow Him? There is no "Your best life now." There are no promises of "health, wealth, or prosperity."
If you are a Christian, then you are a Jesus Follower. If you are a Jesus Follower, then you are a Christian. Quit being a fool and trying to segregate these terms as if they are completely different from one another. Whether you call yourself a Christian or a Jesus Follower, you had best be a Jesus Imitator, a Jesus Mimicker. If you were on trial for being a Christian or a Jesus Follower, would there be enough evidence to convict you? If you do not bear the evidence the New Testament talks about, then you are not a Christian. Pure and simple.
If you are a Christian, then you are a Jesus Follower. If you are a Jesus Follower, then you are a Christian. Quit being a fool and trying to segregate these terms as if they are completely different from one another. Whether you call yourself a Christian or a Jesus Follower, you had best be a Jesus Imitator, a Jesus Mimicker. If you were on trial for being a Christian or a Jesus Follower, would there be enough evidence to convict you? If you do not bear the evidence the New Testament talks about, then you are not a Christian. Pure and simple.