Day 38 – How to become a world class Christian

How to become a world class Christian

Which would I prefer? To be a worldly Christian or a world class Christian?

Seeing as the great commission is my commission, it doesn’t take a genius to remind me I need to do my best in becoming a world class Christian instead of a worldly Christian. What then is a worldly Christian and who are they? Well I am told that they are Christians who look to God primarily for personal fulfilment. They are saved but self centred, their prayer focused on their own needs, blessing and happiness. They are Christians who use God for their purposes instead of being used for His purpose; however. On the other hand, world class Christians know that they are saved to serve others, and made for a mission. They are eager to receive their assignment and excited about the privilege of being used by God.

A world class Christian’s joy, confidence and enthusiasm are contagious because they know that they’re making a difference, and this affords us to experience a little of what heaven is like. But how can I become world class Christians? Today the great barriers are no longer distance or transportation, because we now have airplanes, ships, trains buses automobiles – Our great barrier is the way we think.

To think like a world class, I will need to:

Shift my thinking from self centred thinking to other-centred [1 Corinth. 14 vs. 20 - Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults; Philippians 2:4 - Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others]. Even though this may be difficult, fortunately I have the Holy Spirit [1 Corinth. 2 vs. 12 - We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us] who is more than able and eager to help. Therefore, I need to start asking the Holy Spirit to help me to think of the spiritual needs of unbelievers whenever I talk to them; to pray a silent prayer such as “Father help me to understand what is keeping this person from knowing you”, to find out where they are in their spiritual journey and then finally to do what the Holy Spirit tells me to do to bring them closer to Christ [1 Corinth. 10 vs. 33 - even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved].

Shift my thinking from local thinking to global thinking. God loves the world this is why He sent His Son [John 3 vs. 16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life]. He has always wanted family members from every nation He created [Acts. 17 vs. 26-27; Col. 1 vs. 6 - that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth]. This is why praying continually facilitates my global thinking. To pray for the nation by name [Psalm 2 vs. 8 - Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession]; for opportunities to witness [Col. 4 vs. 3 - And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains; Rom. 1 vs. 10 - in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you]; for courage to speak [Eph. 6 vs. 19 - Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel]; for those who believe [John 17 vs. 20 - My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message]; for rapid spread of the message [1 Thess. 3 vs. 1 - So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens] and for more workers [Matt. 9 vs. 38 - Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field]. By me praying this partners me with others around the world; to pray also for missionaries [2 Corinth. 1 vs. 11 - as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favour granted us in answer to the prayers of many]; and to read and watch the news. So I pose this question to you, what type of Christian are you? Are you an Acts 1 vs. 8 [But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth] Christian?

To shift my thinking from here and now thinking to eternal thinking; to make the most of my time here on earth by having an eternal perspective [2 Corinth. 4 vs. 18 - So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal]. Not to trade my life for temporary things, but eternity [Luke 9 vs. 62 - Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God; 1 Corinth. 7 vs. 31 - those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away]; to remove whatever it is standing in place of me becoming a world class Christian [Heb. 12 vs. 1 - Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us] and to stay focussed on Jesus [Matt. 6 vs. 20 – 21 - But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also]; to use the wealth God has given us to bring people to Christ [Luke 16 vs. 9 - I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings] which is the best financial investment I will ever make [1 Tim. 6 vs. 19 - In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life].

Finally to shift my thinking from thinking of excuses to thinking of creative ways to fulfil my commission; excuses like I don’t have anything to offer [Jer. 1 vs. 7-8 - But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD]. To remember I (and all of us) am called to fulfil God’s purposes for my life.

Lessons learnt – To pray and ask God for where He wants me to serve in the years ahead; and to do my part as the great commission is my communion and doing my part is the secret to living.