A Sincere Self-Assessment:

Who is a Christian? Am I a Christian? Have we become Christian after our baptism? Is the people in Christian country are true Christian? Are daily church-goers Christian? Are we Christian really away from partiality? This is a profound and thought-provoking question for all those who claim themselves Christian.

Christianity Elaborated:

Christian = Christ ‘n I

I am Christian only if my ‘I’ is associated with Christ. If my ‘I’ is not associated with Christ then I am certainly not a Christian. Thus, a real question: If I am not a Christian, then what am I? If my ‘I’ is not associated with Christ even after my baptism, then certainly I am not a Christian – then what am I?

Christian: Always Associated with Love

Jesus is God, as the recorded in scripture:

”I and the Father are one." (John 10:30, NIV)

And

”God is Love.” (1 John 4:8)

This means that Christ = God = Love

Therefore, if my ‘I’ is associated with love, then indeed, I am a Christian, But if my ‘I’ is not associated with love, then certainly, it is associated with selfishness, pride, anger, greed, lust, adultery, then I am not a Christian even after my baptism. If I am not a Christian, then what am I? This question is crucial, as Jesus calls us to give up everything to follow Him. So, love can be followed only when we give up everything - selfishness, pride, anger, greed, lust, adultery, and so on – since love and hatred cannot coexist.

Christian: Rich In Jesus

Christ Plus I = Christian (note Plus is + sign)

If my ‘I’ is rich in Christ, then I am Christian. Am I rich in Christ? Jesus is wealth of love, kindness, forgiveness, peace, compassion, endurance, patience. If I lack Jesus' wealth, then Jesus does not dwell in me, and I do not dwell in Jesus. Thus, we can’t achieve anything in disassociation with Jesus, and if we lack Jesus’ wealth even after our baptism, then we are not Christian even after baptised. As written in scripture:

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5, NIV)

Christian: Follows Jesus

Christian = Christ 'n I

In the word Christian, Christ comes before 'I'. If my 'I' follows Jesus, carefully stepping on His footprint on the way of life, then I am Christian, as recorded in Scripture:

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." -(John 10:27, NIV)

Therefore, we must never overtake Jesus, exceeding His teachings on love, humility, forgiveness, compassion, endurance, and patience. Beyond these boundaries lie selfishness, pride, anger, greed, lust, adultery, and more.

If we overtake Jesus even after baptism, then we are not Christian, even after being baptized. This raises a crucial question: What am I, then?

Christian: Belongs to Jesus

Christian = Christ ‘n I

The ‘I’ that belongs to Jesus, who is truth, as recorded in scripture:

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6, NIV)

Therefore, if my ‘I’, meaning my life remain instilled on the path of truth, and does not stray from the truth, then I am Christian. Otherwise, even after my baptism, I am not Christian or belong to Jesus, for straying in untruth. This raises a crucial question: What am I, then?

Christian: Belongs to Love

God is love. Therefore, His standard on the judgement day is love, as recorded in scripture:

The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:40, NIV)

Thus, Jesus commands to love both God and humanity simultaneously. His command to love pursues humanity relentlessly. Since love and hatred can’t coexist. Therefore, it is mandatory to get disassociated from love to indulge into hatred: envy, anger, lust, adultery, greed, pride, hypocrisy, pretence, and so on. It is necessary to get disassociated with Jesus to hate, meaning disassociating from Jesus (love), meaning not belonging to Jesus. Therefore, more than 2023 years back and even now, humanity crucifies Him to get disassociated with Him, who is love, to indulge into hatred to their heart content. This raises a crucial question: What am I, then? Certainly, an Anti-Christ, the Crucifier!

Anti-Christ, the Crucifier:

In the term "Anti-Christ," the word "I" precedes Christ, symbolizing a person who consistently prioritizes themselves over Jesus. This individual crucifies Jesus to remain ahead of Him, who embodies love, peace, humility, compassion, forgiveness, and patience. To overtake Jesus means living in arrogance, cruelty, envy, pride, greed, selfishness, estrangement, pretence, hypocrisy, and other vices. Therefore, the "I" of such a person perpetually crucifies Jesus to remain ahead. Thus, a person who assumes this role—the crucifier—cannot be a true Christian, even after baptism. This realization prompts a crucial question: Do I crucify Jesus to indulge in human vices and elevate myself above Him? As Scripture emphasizes:

Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided. (Proverbs 16:6, NIV)

A True Christian:

Those who genuinely follow Christ belong to Him and dwell in Him, thereby enjoying God's protection and presence. Since humans are inherently unreliable, being mere breaths away from death, Christians must become devoted followers of God, relying solely on Him through their association with Him.

As Scripture assures us:

If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, 10 no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. 14 “Because he[a] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15 He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. (Psalm 91:9-15, NIV)

This divine promise is reserved for those who belong to God through their unwavering association with Him, as elaborated in this article.

True Christians Dwell in God’s Presence:

As humans are unreliable and fleeting, they cannot protect us. If we are genuine Christians, no harm will befall us, unlike what is happening now to those who claim to be Christians. This prompts us to ask ourselves: Are we truly dwelling in God's presence? Are we genuine Christians, devoted to God? )

A genuine Christian distances themselves from fleeting human politics, worldly concerns, lust, adultery, and other vices to become God's devoted followers. By doing so, they attain God's protection, which shields them from harm, as written in Scripture: )

Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided. (Proverbs 16:6, NIV)

A Sacred Call to Action:

Let us rise to the Christianity that dwells in God's presence by:

- Following Jesus
- Belonging to Jesus
- Associating with Jesus
- Enriching ourselves in Jesus

Remember, our baptism is not sufficient to dwell in God.

To be Continued…..

==> Stay tuned for our next article, where we'll uncover how 'Loving Our Neighbours: A Measure of Our Love for God’ that transforms our faith journey.

Amen!

Praise be to God, Thanks be to God.

Not being Unrighteous is Religion!!

Jharkhand! Peace be upon you!!

India! Peace be upon you!!

Peace to the whole world!!