The Mark of A Genuine Christian

by: Bro. Malloy Cabahug

(1 Thessalonians 1: 1-10)

A new decade and a bolder vision lie ahead for WIN-Al Ain. Beginning the year 2011, WIN-Al Ain has initiated a bold step in winning the city, through prayer. The membership of the congregation in their districts are being grouped into prayer zones with the end in mind of creating a solid prayer group within the district to WIN the City of Al Ain.

Similarly, if we are going to refer to closely examine the model of the missionary journeys of the apostle Paul and company, they are all praying for one another and praying for the cities they minister to.

The most important ingredient of the great commission is prayer. It is a potent arsenal to unleash the power of God to come down. Is it not proper that we Christians should be in partnership with God in this mission we are charged with?

With prayer and the help of God, the possible result is a genuine convert, a genuine Christian for that matter.

Though we are already increasing in number, it does not necessarily mean that we truly are all genuine with our faith and our lifestyle. The texts in 1 Thessalonians 1: 1-10 can aid us in determining a genuine convert. This is a good tool for us to reassess ourselves and that of our brethren we are discipling as well as our loved ones, not for anything else, but to pray even more so God may reveal Himself to them.

The church in Thessalonica started when Paul visited the place, and as usual he went inside a Jewish synagogue and there he declared Jesus as the Christ. With this declaration, many Jews and Greeks alike believed in the Gospel, hence were converted into the Faith. (This is an account in Acts 17)

Because of this, some other Jews were jealous. They formed a mob that went after Paul and his team. As the tension grew more, it shortened the stay of Paul and his team at Thessalonica. They then fled via Berea until they reached Corinth, where he wrote this Epistle he addressed to the church at Thessalonica.

Scholars believed that his stint at the church of Thessalonica was only for a period between four to six months.

As his opening to his epistle to the Thessalonians, it is very clear in his description that there was truly a genuine conversion taking place. The following were his description:

· Those who were converted received the Gospel in power, and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.

· They received the Gospel with joy of the Holy Spirit that overshadows their afflictions.

· They honor the minister and worshipped the true and living God by casting aside idols.

The Holy Spirit of God is with Paul and company as these ministers were first of all God’s appointed person. They lived a prayerful life. They lived an authentic Christian lifestyle. They are transparent with the way they presented themselves before God and the congregation.

As the bearer is genuine in themselves, it follows that the message in itself is so genuine. Having received the genuine message from God, the power of the Holy Spirit was felt by the convert, a significant sign where God reveals Himself to the new believer.

I could just recall the time my spiritual eyes were opened 7 years ago. It seemed like I have discovered a treasure that led me to repentance. This time I am fully convinced of a new life brought about by receiving the Gospel and the love of Jesus into my life. I cannot explain it any further, for one should better experience it. Conversion is a personal encounter.

Life after conversion is not a start of a rosy life. A lot of times one will experience afflictions. Friends and relatives may desert the converts. Persecution of different forms and shapes may arise. However, with the Joy that the Holy Spirit brings to the genuine convert he or she can still paint a smile on her face.

No matter how big the problems that come our way, the joy and comfort that comes from God will overshadow all these. Our blessed hope of eternity with God after our lifetime expired will be one thing the genuine convert should look upon as the main motivation to abide by the commands of God and continue doing good works for the Kingdom.

Lastly, the submission to authority is one quality of a genuine Christian that is coupled with true worship. For how can one not submit to authority when one is walking in the Spirit instead of with the flesh?

Jesus is clear when He says that true worship is the worship in Spirit and in Truth.

Considering all the things discussed above, let us lead ourselves to self assessment by considering the following statements:

· I am confident that I am a genuine Christian.

· I am not sure if I am a Christian.

· I am sure that I am not a Christian.

Be honest with your assessment. In the end, it is only you and God knows the real score.

If you are struggling right now, your WIN Al Ain family is always here to pray with you and help you in every way we can.

Bro. Malloy Cabahug