My old identity has been co-crucified with Christ and no longer lives. And now the essence of this new life is no longer mine, for the Anointed One lives his life through me—we live in union as one! My new life is empowered by the faith of the Son of God who loves me so much that he gave himself for me, dispensing his life into mine! Galatians 2:20 TPT
It seems like today a Christian is anyone who isn’t Jewish or of any other religion. But is that what it really means. The word Christian is from the Greek word Christianos, which translates into “little Christ”. Christ comes from the Hebrew word Meshiach or Messiah meaning the Anointed One. The One sent by God as Deliverer.
Think about what you just read. Being a Christian doesn’t mean someone who goes to church, because a church doesn’t make a Christian because a Christianos is the church. As far as a Christian is someone who isn’t Jewish, well, the first Christians were Jewish and being Jewish isn’t a religion it’s an ethnicity. So even though they became a Christianos they were still a Jew.
Today’s verse reminds us that because we have accepted Jesus’ salvation, He now lives in us and He has empowered us to live like Him and be Him to others. Just as Jesus came to be Messiah to the Jews, we need to be little Messiah’s to those around us, in our families, friends, neighborhoods and communities. We need to show them to Jesus, and by showing Him to them, they will see God the Father and want to be reconciled back to Him and accept Him as their Savior and Lord.
Being a Christianos is more than going through the motions, it’s a life transforming relationship with Jesus. And letting Him live through us.
Leave a Reply