Are You An "Always" Christian?
This message is a test. It is a test to evaluate where you are at in your walk with the Lord.
It deals with six criteria which should be evident at all times in your life as a believer.
Ask the Holy Spirit to grade you - revealing to you your areas of strength and weakness.
1. Jesus' Presence Is Always Evident
Matthew 28:20 - "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
It is evident in your walk and work that God's hand is strengthening you...providing for your every need...and directing and guiding you. The fruit of the Spirit is evident in your life, and your kingdom work is touching and transforming lives.
The devil - many times - has tried to "wipe you out," but you just "keep on keeping on" for the Lord. No matter what trials come your way - your life and work exude with the grace of God. In the face of fear, doubt, trouble, heartache, and discouragement - you are still "pressing onward" for Him.
2. You Are Always Praying
Luke 18:1 - "And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint."
At all times and in every place - you are always in an attitude of prayer. You feel it is necessary to pray about everything. You pray consistently and continually in order to find, know, and accomplish God's will for your life.
Perseverance in prayer is an absolute necessity - in your estimation - for you understand that you have an adversary who is out to destroy you and yours. You are also aware of the strong pull that the pleasures of this world will have on any and all who do not have a persistent prayer life.
3. You Are Always Advancing In The Lord's Work
1 Corinthians 15:58 - "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
You are fixed in the faith of the Gospel - not allowing temptation or persecution to shake or stagger you. You are not being turned aside by others, but continuing "steadfast" in the work of the Lord - continually increasing in the work of faith and labor of love...promoting Christ's kingdom...being more and more in the practice of that which God called, fitted, and qualified you...continually making advancements in true piety...abounding in zeal, diligence, vigor, resolution, constancy, and patience...and allowing nothing to hinder your growth in holiness.
4. You Are Always Giving To The Work Of The Lord
2 Corinthians 9:8 - "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work."
You are not a stingy, greedy, or selfish person. You are a giver. You are a person of Great Faith. You give what you can to help those in need or to advance the work of the kingdom. You find that you have no reason to distrust the goodness of the Lord or to question His power.
He is able! You have found Him to be able to increase your worldly substance - leaving you with a perfect and entire sufficiency - enough for yourself and your family...the furtherance of His kingdom...the pleasure of your friends...and the relief of the poor.
As you sow plenteously, you reap plenteously. God will have it no other way. He blesses you so that you can enjoy every temporal and spiritual blessing and continue to give. He makes up what you do give and gives more so that you have a sufficiency - reach a place where no aid or help is needed from another.
All your liberality returns upon you with an increase. It is not considered as something that is thrown away or lost. It is an investment that will be repaid with interest or restored with abundance.
5. You Are Always Thankful
Ephesians 5:20 - "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Your thankfulness knows no limit on time. You are fully aware that you deserve nothing of God's kindness. So, at all times and in every place, you are eternally grateful for the slightest impression of His goodness or lovingkindness - shown toward you.
You are continually grateful for all the mercies of life and spiritual blessings found in Him. It matters not if you are undergoing a time of adversity, desertion, temptation, affliction, persecution, or prosperity and great blessing - you are "always" thankful.
6. You Are Always Ready To Speak For The Lord
1 Peter 3:15 - "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear."
On all proper occasions and at every given opportunity - you are ready and willing to state the grounds of the hope that lies within you. You are acquainted with the evidences of the truth of your Christian faith. You are not dependent on another to speak for you. You have your own defense. Hence, you are always ready to answer back...give an account...or defend your position.
So that you do not appear to be actuated by folly or fancy - you are always ready to state the grounds for having such a firm, cheering, and sustaining hope - showing to others why you regard Christianity as the truth and why you cherish a prospect of heaven.
"...lo, I am with you alway..."
"...that men ought always to pray..."
"...always abounding in the work of the Lord..."
"...always having all sufficiency in all things..."
"Giving thanks always for all things..."
"...be ready always to give an answer to every man..."
Isn't it amazing how one word can speak volumes about your life?
Jesus' Presence is always evident...you are always praying...always advancing in the work of the Lord...always giving and resultantly enjoying sufficiency...always thankful...and always ready to speak on behalf of your faith.
"ALWAYS"
What does this word say about your life?
