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Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland
  Orange Standard

To Be A Christian

Article 3 ~ December 2006

"And the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch". Acts 11:26.

It means something to be called a Christian in our society. It means more to be one; more than being known as a member of a Church of whatever denomination or description. That could be for a reason like being born into one, a heritage of family; married into one, an accommodation of partnership; or because someone or something, encouraged joining a church, perhaps a spiritual experience which had a profound effect on a person's attitude to religion and life.

Loyalty to a Church may appear to be simple, sentimental, useful attachment. It can be the confidence born of the conviction that your Church has the truth about God and His dealings with people; an inspiring satisfying form of worship and teaching and preaching in keeping with that truth; a fellowship which is stimulating and helpful in shared beliefs and experiences.

It means more to be a Christian than to belong to a Church for the Christian is the person who has committed their life to Christ and who lives by faith in Him and what that gives is the benefits from such a relationship. It is to live to the pattern for living Jesus set in character and conduct and in His selfless service for God and people. The first to be called Christians were the disciples of Jesus who lived in Antioch. The description was intended to be of contempt for them, a mocking, jesting nickname. They took the nickname and made it one of pride, and determined to prove that the name represented what was the best way to live, as a follower of Jesus. In the years that followed when persecution fell heavily on Christians there were many, and some from Antioch who honoured the Name with the sacrifice of their lives. They lost their lives all the way to Rome and there too.

Among those thrown to the lions in Rome was Ignatius, the Bishop of Antioch. Writing from Smyrna on the journey there he asked his friends: "Only pray for me for strength both inward and outward, that I may not only be called a Christian, but also found to be one."

Most of us from our beginning days in this country heard about Jesus and the satisfaction and salvation He brings to those who believe in Him. We were told, and taught, about His life, death and resurrection and what it means for humanity. We were made aware, as John and Andrew were, of Jesus when John the Baptist pointed Him out to them by the wayside in Galilee, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."

We were told that to be a Christian meant to believe this, that Jesus is the man by whom God took human flesh to appear as a man among men; that we should believe in Him as our Saviour and to follow Him as our Lord. We are "right with God" when we believe this and live our lives in keeping with the demands of that faith in sincerity, honesty and decency, to witness by lip and life to it.

We may be helped to do that through the Church. The worship, witness and work of the Church is very important to the Christian. The Christian presence and voice should mean that Christians are engaged, involved, in every matter of consequence in their society and that as individuals and collectively they contribute positively to its well being. They are well aware that in today's secular society their contributions are likely to be refused or ignored, but they must not be silent.

There are standards they must emphasise which are needful in a well ordered society, fundamentals of good behaviour, and of concern that the people are treated respectfully and fairly, irrespective of class, creed or colour. We do not need to spell out its weaknesses and inadequacies for they are well known to all of us.

Rev. Canon Dr. S.E. Long

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