F.E. Marsh :: 486. What is a Christian?

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WHAT is a Christian? Bunyan, in his Pilgrim’s Progress, simply defines, and in descriptive imagery depicts the path and progress of a Christian.

1. An awakened Sinner. A Christian is one who has been convinced of his sinfulness and guilt as a sinner before God, as seen in the burden on Christian’s back (Psalm 38:4).
2. A trustful Man. A Christian is one who has come to the Saviour, as pictured in Christian coming up to the wicket gate, and entering into the path that leads therefrom (Matt. 11:28).
3. A righteous one. A Christian is one who is clothed with the garment of righteousness, as we see in Christian being clothed at the cross (2 Cor. 5:21).
4. An earnest Worker. A Christian is one who is concerned about the welfare of others, as illustrated in Christian going up to, and seeking to arouse Simple, Sloth, and Presumption (Jude 23).
5. A communing Companion. A Christian is one who companions with the people of God. Talkative and Ignorance can have no fellowship with Christian, but Faithful and Hopeful are his fast friends (1 John 3:14).
6. A dominated Believer. A Christian is one who is controlled by the Word of God, as seen in Christian consulting his roll. A true Christian receives the whole of the Bible as God’s Word, and dares not utter such blasphemy as a Free Church Professor has recently done. He says: “A man may be a true (?) Christian (?) and yet find much in the Bible which he cannot accept.” Rev. 22:19 is the direct contradiction to this, for what is said there may be applied to all Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
7. A persevering Saint. A Christian is one who continues in the way of holiness, as illustrated in the perseverance of Christian. Lions may frighten him; Doubt may lead him into captivity; and Flattery ensnare him, but he keeps on (John 8:31).
8. A confessing Pilgrim. A Christian is one who confesses that he is a pilgrim and stranger, as depicted in Christian and Faithful passing through Vanity Fair (Heb. 11:13).
9. A courageous Traveller. A Christian is one who courageously pushes on his way amidst surrounding difficulties, as illustrated in Christian passing through the Valley of the Shadow of Death (Psalm 23:4).
10. A conquering Soldier. A Christian is one who conquers his enemies, as seen in the fight of Christian with Apollyon (1 John 5:18).
11. An expectant Contemplator. A Christian is one who contemplates with delight the prospect of heaven’s glory, as represented in the pilgrims on the Delectable Mountains (Jude 21, 24).

We have thus in the book that has been said “to be next to the Bible,” and next to it because so full of it, a most exhaustive and extensive description of what a Christian is.