The attributes of a Christian

What are the attributes of a Christian?

Before I begin, let me give the definition of a christian. A Christian is someone that have renounced the sinful old way of life and have received a new way in Jesus Christ, which is visible to all. A christian is not a nominal church goer who has not experienced the transforming power of God and have not Christ.

It’s interesting to know that the word ‘Christian’ was coined out from the mouth of those that observed the early disciples of Jesus Christ. When these disciples gathered together at Antioch, the people observed their character, conduct, life and noticed that it was Christlike, and they called them ‘Christians’. This first appeared in Acts 11:26

This then mean that, a christian is not just someone who is not a pagan, an atheist, Muslim. It is not someone who religiously follow some rules; but a christian is one whose first nature – the nature which is sinful, wicked, depraved and disqualified in the sight of God – has been changed and miraculously transformed into a new nature in Christ. This was the evidence found in the early disciples’ life that gave them that name. The name neither came from the disciples themselves nor from Christ, but it was the radiant life of Christ that cannot be hid, that shined through them for all to see.

Today, many have adopted the name ‘christian’ wrongfully. attributing it to mean mere lovers or follower of Christ but are nothing like him in nature and character. The Christian life is one thing that cannot be acted. Except one truly has Christ, it’s impossible to act or look like him

Following, are some attributes of a Christian

Newness of life –

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
There is a change of lifestyle when once someone is transformed by the saving grace of Christ. His transformation in a man’s life is entire and complete

Fruit bearing – another attribute of a christian is fruit bearing.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22, 23. Being planted in Christ, the child of God produces fruit. Along side newness of life comes the fruit of the spirit.

Love for God and the things of God –

the love that Christ first showed toward a sinner by saving his or her soul is reciprocated by a genuine love for God after conversion. This major attribute of God is borne in the heart of the transformed child of God which enables him or her to love God unconditionally

Obedience and faithfulness to God –

the soul of the converted seek nothing but to please God through his loyalty and obedience to Him. The saved soul recognizes the place of God in his life and put him first in all his affair. His new obedience and loyalty shows that Christ is now his newly found Master and Lord
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” – Matthew 6:24

Love for children of God and fellow man –

it does not stop at loving God alone and loving him unconditionally, it’s also extended to loving fellow believers in Christ and non believers. A life that God has touch is touched with holy affection and love for others, for God is love. 1 John 4:16 
“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”
This love is holy, Agape love which Christ first loved mankind before ever we knew him, he then passes the same into the hearts of those that have received him to love others the same way he loved us. Without this love which is given by Christ to the born again child of God, we can not actually love others indeed

There are many other attributes, but I’ll stop with the above mentioned. If these attributes describes you, Hallelujah, you are a Christian, but if not, you’re not yet until Christ comes into you. A Christian is a Christian because of Christ in his or her life – John 15:5

Romans 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.”

There are some steps one can take to receive Christ and become one of his. Since self awareness is key for anyone who will become better, the first step to having Christ is;

Acknowledgement – this means becoming fully aware of who you are presently in the sight of God and accept the truth as it has been revealed to you

Believe – He is ready to come into your life even now (Revelation 3:20) because he has paid the price for your sin with his blood (Leviticus 17:11). So, believe his sacrifice for you and open up your heart

Confess – you’ve believed in your heart, now it’s time to confess with your mouth (Romans 10:9, 10). Confess those sins to Him and make up your mind not to return to them again

Receive – The gift of salvation and the grace of God that brings that salvation is already there with you, now it’s time to receive it by faith, and ask Christ to come into your life and be your Lord and Saviour. Praise God, it is done!

You just became a Christian with this simple steps! Now you are one of His!