WHO IS A CHRISTIAN?

1 Pet. 4:14-19

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. The name "Christian" is found three times in the Word of God. 
      Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16
      1. Who is a Christian?  How may you and I know whether or not
         we are Christians?
      2. Fortunately, we have reliable information as to the         
         fundamental
         characteristics of Christians.
        a. We can thereby compare our lives to ascertain whether or
           not we measure up.
        b. Also, we can find real reasons for becoming a Christian as
           well as reasons for being a faithful Christian.
   B. Let's look at the testimony of the apostle Peter as to who is a
      Christian.

I. A CHRISTIAN IS ONE WHO SUFFERS IN BEHALF OF CHRIST.  1 Pet.       
   4:14-16
   A. In all ages God's faithful people have paid the price for      
      serving God.  2 Tim. 3:12
   B. The clash between saints and sinners in inevitable for two     
      reasons.
      1. The life of a faithful Christian is rebuke and condemnation 
         of the life of the one who is rebelling against God and     
         living in sin.  Heb. 11:7; John 3:19-21
      2. The Christian exposes, reproves, and preaches against the
         "unfruitful works of darkness," which brings persecution.
   C. Christians sometimes suffer physical abuse, but more often they
      suffer verbal abuse.
      1. Peter, in discussing the change in the lives of those who   
         had become Christians, and the response of their former     
         friends and associates, said -- 1 Pet. 4:4
      2. One is made to wonder about the life and experience of the
         noted man of literature who said, "Sticks and stones may    
         break my bones, but words will never hurt me."
         a. Did this man ever feel the cutting sword of unjust       
            criticism?
         b. Was his heart ever pierced with the sharp spear of       
            ridicule?
   D. Jesus suffered much verbal abuse while here on earth.
      1. He was accused of gluttony, a wine bibber, a deceiver, a
         Sabbath breaker, a blasphemer.
      2. He was accused of having a demon, of casting out demons by
         Beelzebub the prince of demons.
         a. By these things, they dishonored the Christ, the Son of  
            God.  John 8:48-49
   E. The Christian will likewise suffer verbal abuse.  Matt. 10:25
      1. Any sacrifice, hardship or abuse I suffer in behalf of      
         Christ, is indeed the cross I bear for Him.  Luke 9:23;     
         14:27

II. A CHRISTIAN IS ONE WHO HAS A HIGH MORAL STANDARD.  1 Pet. 4:15
   A. Christians are gentle people, not murderers.  2 Tim. 2:24
      1. No doubt, at one point in our lives we have been around
         someone whom we would rather not be around, an evil, violent
         person.
      2. A Christian is not that kind of person.  You don't have to   
         worry about him trying to hurt or harm you in any way.
   B. Peter said, "Let none of you suffer as a thief."  Christians   
      are honest people.
      1. You won't need to worry about a Christian breaking into your
         car and trying to steal it or your belongings.
      2. You won't have to worry about a Christian breaking into your
         house and stealing as much as he can carry off.
      3. If you are in a business, or operate a store, you won't need
         to worry about Christians stealing time or merchandise from 
         you.
      4. Furthermore, you won't need to worry about a Christian
         stealing your wife or your husband, as the case may be.
      5. Now, I grant there are some who profess to be Christians who
         do some of these things.  But genuine Christians have a
         standard of morals which states, "Thou shalt not steal."    
         Rom. 13:9
   C. Christians are not evil doers.
      1. They have a degree of faith that prompts them to return good
         for evil.
      2. Faithful Christians try to live peaceably with all men.     
         Rom. 12:18
      3. They do not succumb to wrath because it does not work the
         righteousness of God.  James 1:19-20
      4. They do good to their enemies and thereby seek to overcome
         evil with good.  Rom. 12:19-21
   D. Christians have a moral standard which keeps them from being --
     "busybodies."
      1. The phrase, "busybody in other people's matters" if from a
         single Greek word, "allotriepishopos" ("allotrious" -       
         "belonging to another person," and "episkopos" - "bishop or 
         overseer").  Thus, "an overseer of that which belongs to    
         another."
      2. 2 Thess. 3:10-12; 1 Tim. 5:13
         a. The Greek word here is "periergos" which is lit.,        
            "working all around" and means busying one's self around 
            (or meddling in) the affairs of another.
         b. Modern technology has made the "wandering from house to
            house" very easy.
           (1) By means of the phone (or computer) one can visit
               several homes and spread all manner of gossip and
               slander.
           (2) However, people often get run over in running others
               down.  The poet said:
               "If you would keep your lips from slips,
                 Five things observe with care:
               To whom you speak, of whom you speak,
                 And how, and when, and where!"
   E. The Christian has a high standard of morals.  He is not left at
      the mercy of a response in a given situation -- "situation     
      ethics."  He has a guideline for every situation.

III. A CHRISTIAN IS ONE WHO WILL BE SAVED WITH DIFFICULTY.  1 Pet.   
   4:17-18
   A. In view of the severity of the judgment, rather than being     
      ashamed, we glorify God when we suffer as Christians.
   B. Some apply these verses to disciplinary judgment here on earth
      rather than the final judgment.
      1. However, the verses seem to be pointing to the final        
         judgment and one's "end" before God.
   C. The inspired writers often spoke of the end as being near.  1  
      Pet. 4:7; James 5:8-9
      1. Every generation should live as though it is near at hand.  
         2 Pet. 3:12
   D. Many will be excluded from among those in the house of God.
      1. An often used expression of Jesus, "Many are called but few 
         are chosen."  Matt. 22:14
   E. Verse 17 -- If the judgment is so severe and strict that only a
      few of the house of God will be saved, what will happen to     
      those who have never obeyed the gospel?
   F. Verse 18 -- If the righteous are saved with difficulty -- If   
      they barely make it -- what will happen to the ungodly and     
      sinners?
      1. Answer: There will be no hope for them.  2 Thess. 1:7-9
      2. These things are not written to discourage us, but to remind
         us.  Thus, application -- vs. 19

IV. A CHRISTIAN IS ONE WHO PLACES HIS SOUL IN THE HANDS OF HIS       
   CREATOR.
   A. "Therefore" -- In view of the severity of the judgment.
   B. "Let those who suffer..." -- All of God's people -- you and I.
   C. "Commit their souls to Him"
      1. The word "commit" means lit. "deliver as a deposit."  Ex. as
         depositing something with a trusted friend."
      2. The Christian is to deposit his soul, the most precious     
         thing of all, in the care of the best friend of all, the    
         Creator, the One who made him.
        a. God is the Maker of the soul, and the Father of the       
           spirit.  Gen. 1:26-27; Heb. 12:9; Eccl. 12:7
   D. How does he commit his soul?
      1. By constantly doing good.
   E. Why does he commit his soul?
      1. Because He is faithful who promised.  Heb. 10:23
         a. God will keep whatever is committed to Him.  2 Tim. 1:12
         b. God will aid those who rely on Him for help.  Heb. 13:20-
            21; Jude 23-24

Concl.
   A. Who is a Christian?
      1. He is one who suffers in behalf of Christ.
      2. He is one who has a high moral standard.
      3. He is one who will be saved with difficulty.
      4. He is one who places his soul in the hands of his Creator.