The conversation was endearing. It still brings wonderful memories. We were at our granddaughter’s t-ball game several years ago when our gregarious granddaughter began talking about the 2 bunny rabbits she had received for Easter. An elderly man asked our granddaughter what kind of bunnies she had been given. Without skipping a beat she confidently responded, “they are Christian rabbits.”
She derived her understanding from the distinguishing marks on bunnies’ foreheads that resembled a cross. We see crosses in our society, principally as jewelry. It is an incredible reminder that Jesus came to the earth to save us from our sins. Yet, the cross represents much more than this. It is the mark of a Christian. To truly understand and grow in our faith as Christians, we must be committed to prayer, Bible study, worship, and fellowship with other believers. This is only possible by being sensitive to the Holy Spirit.
As Christians, we should have the same characteristics of the Lord Jesus Christ himself. The Bible teaches that the mark of a Christian are the fruits of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The Greek word for “fruit” is karpos — “that which originates or comes from something.”
When you spend time with Christ, the fruits of the spirit will flow naturally resulting in two life streams — the Lord living his life through yours to yield what is eternal. When we surrender to Christ, his Spirit will ignite a passion to love God and people deeply and to do the works of Jesus with such great joy that people will know we are Christians.
Father, thank you for helping me lay aside every weight and distraction to be fully committed to a relationship with you. Teach me more about you and help me gain enormous insight that I will bear much fruit for the kingdom of God!
Throughout this Day: Ask the Holy Spirit to help you live out the marks of a Christian in every situation you face.
Photo Credit: Aaron Lee on Unsplash