What does it mean to be a Christian?

The term Christian simply means someone who professes to believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ as found in Scripture. There are some basic teachings that you must understand in order to know what it really means to be a Christian.

God’s Love

John 3:16 tells us that God loves the world.  This means that He loves everyone on planet earth, including you.  Because God loves us he sent us Jesus, His son.  In John 10:10 Jesus says: ‘I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.’   So we can see that God loves us and wants us to have an abundant life.

The Problem

The Scripture tells us in Romans 3:23 that ‘all have sinned’.

What is sin? It is a violation of God’s principles.  God made the world, so He gets to make the rules too.

So what are God’s principles? God makes it clear through the Scripture what His standards are.  Most people know the Ten Commandments.  Jesus also expands on them in Matthew 5 when He states that anger is equivalent to murder and lust is equivalent to adultery. With such high standards, it’s no wonder we have all sinned!

So what happens if we violate God’s principles? According to Romans 6:23, ‘the wages of sin is death’! This verse speaks of our spiritual death, or separation from God for eternity.  Everyone dies a physical death, but not everyone has to remain spiritually dead. Wow… for such a loving God, this sounds harsh!

God’s Provision

Jesus took our place! Romans 5:8 tells us that ‘God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’  Now that is what I call a loving God!  He gave us His only Son to die in our place and pay the penalty for our sin.

Jesus rose from the dead! 1 Corinthians 15:3-6 states:  ‘that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day’.

So we’re safe? Not quite.  God has given us all a choice. Romans 10:9 tells us: ‘That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.’  So what is the choice?

• Option 1: Decide that you really believe what the Scripture says about God.  Give up your passions, desires and plans in life.  Decide that God’s plans are way better than yours and that you can trust Him.  Agree to do what He wants you to do and not what you want to do, no matter what.
• Option 2: Decide not to do anything.  Continue to ignore His perfect plan for your life and continue through life spiritually dead.

What about option 3? In John 14:6 Jesus says: ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’.  The only two options are to accept or decline God’s saving grace!

What’s Next?

If you decided to accept Jesus as your Lord, you are different!

• Pray - Go ahead… He can hear you!  Thank Him for what He has already done.  Pray that He will show you what His will is for your life.
• Read the Scripture – Pick up a Bible and start reading.  A good place to start is in the book of John.
• Tell a friend – Did you confess ‘Jesus is Lord’ with your mouth?  Did anyone hear you?  If you really mean it, tell someone else!
• Spend time with other Christians – The best way to learn about what it means to be a Christian is to be around other Christians.  God doesn’t mean for you to go it alone.  Find a local church where you can learn and grow.

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