When Samuel anointed Saul as king over Israel, he told him what would confirm that his new life had begun.
“Then you shall go on from there and come to the terebinth of Tabor. There three men going up to worship God at Bethel will meet you, carrying three young goats, three loaves of bread, and a skin of wine. They will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you shall accept from their hand. After that you shall come to Gibeah of God, where there is a garrison of the Philistines. And there, as soon as you come to the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres before them, prophesying. Then the Spirit of the Lord will rush upon you, and you shall prophesy with them and be turned into another man.” 1 Samuel 10:3-6
Truly, when Saul left Samuel, “all those signs came to pass that day. When they came to Gibeah, behold, a group of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied among them.” 1 Samuel 10:9-10
What happened next?
“All who knew him previously saw that he prophesied with the prophets. So the people said to one another, ‘What has come over the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?’” 1 Samuel 10:11
That is the same question your life is making people ask today: Are you also among the Christians?
Perhaps you have confessed Christ, joined a church, or claimed to be a Christian. Congratulations on that step. Like Saul, you may have received gifts, be attending church services, and joining worshippers in serving God. But the real question remains: Are you truly among the Christians?
The truth is, some people only manifest as Christians when they are in the midst of believers. When you come into the gathering of true worshippers, you fall under the atmosphere of worship, speak in tongues, and manifest in the Spirit with them. But once you leave their midst, your life becomes worldly and ungodly again. That is not the Holy Spirit at work; it is merely an induction spirit -an outward influence that has no root in your heart.
Christianity is the culture of heaven lived out on earth. Culture covers language, dressing, behavior, food, relationships with people, and our relationship with God. In the same way, the culture of heaven on earth is defined by biblical doctrine, which instructs us on how we should live in every area of life. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16
If you claim to be a Christian but refuse to learn how to live as one, you are like something placed on nothing and expected to stand. It will not stand. Socializing or adopting foreign lifestyles under the name of Christianity is not true Christianity. It is manipulation, worldliness, and like offering strange fire before God. We are called to practical, biblical Christianity that is evident both in private and in public.
When Saul was anointed and began prophesying with the prophets, people doubted whether he was truly one of them. Their doubt proved right in the end, because Saul did not finish well.
Today, your life is also making people question your walk with Christ. They are asking, “Are you really among the Christians?”
Examine yourself. Let your life, words, and character match the confession on your lips -whether you are in church or alone. Be not only a hearer of the Word, but a doer.
Pastor Toye Ebijomore
Founder and General Overseer,
God’s Anointed and Blessed Church International, Akur
