How do you know if you are a Christian?

Many people would answer simply that you know you’re a Christian if you have “received Christ.” Salvation is by faith, and therefore, you need to believe in Him.

Okay, true, but let me offer something else that everyone who has truly believed in Him will be able to relate to – illustrated in the 26^th chapter of Matthew’s gospel…

Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. Matthew 26:6, 7 (ESV)

It’s an incredible act of extravagance, and it is also a living parable to how we can know if we are truly His:

You know you’re a Christian if Jesus is your treasure. You know you’re a Christian is Jesus is absolutely and totally precious to you.

It makes sense doesn’t it? We know from Luke’s story of this woman that she had been forgiven much, and therefore she loved much (Luke 7:47). Likewise, the true Christian says, “Of course, He is my treasure – look at what He has done for me at Calvary.

There is an idea going around that you can pray a prayer to receive Christ and then live your life never giving Him another thought. This is a lie. In light of his extravagant love for me, how could I not love Him and serve Him and treasure Him with all of my life?” In other words, what Jesus did for us was meant to capture our hearts, and hold us fast for all of our days. His love toward us creates in us a powerful love for Him. You might even say it like this: “We love because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 (ESV)

And so, with that said, here is the application: Is Jesus a precious treasure to you, worthy of expending not only the most expensive perfume, but also worthy of expending all of your life in His cause? If you have also been forgiven much – and true believers must admit that they have been – then you will absolutely treasure Christ.

For Friday, February 6th: Matthew 27