What is a "Christian"?
One who holds membership in some earthly church? No! One who believes an orthodox creed? No! One who adopts a certain mode of conduct? No! What, then, is a Christian? He is one who has renounced self and received Christ Jesus as Lord (Col 2:6). He is one who takes Christ's yoke upon him and learns of Him who is "meek and lowly in heart" (Matthew 11:29). He is one who has been "called unto the fellowship of God's Son, Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Cor 1:9). That is, fellowship in His obedience and suffering now, in His reward and glory in the endless future! There is no such thing as belonging to Christ—and living to please self. Make no mistake on that point— "Whoever does not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple," (Luke 14:27) said Christ. And again He declared, "But whoever shall [instead of denying himself] deny Me before men [not "unto" men: it is conduct, the walk which is here in view], him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 10:33).

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