So What Exactly 'IS' A Christian?
Frankly, this is a hard question these days! Many people believe that they must do certain things, or belong to certain churches to be 'Christian'.
Being a Christian literally means "One who follows Christ." Being a Christian means, by the grace of God, that we believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and we trust Him to reconcile us to God, by the sacrifice of His perfect life, in place of us due to our imperfections that separated us from God. In short, Christianity is all about Jesus, the Christ. Let's analyze scripture to determine what a "Christian" truly is.
Knowing our position in front of God, as we have studied so far, leads to a REPENTANT spirit, which then leads us to Jesus: "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret...See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves..." 2 Corinthians 7:10a, 11a
How do we obtain this salvation, as provided to us from God? "But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." Romans 3:21-22
What a Christian believes is that JESUS is the Christ, the Chosen One who can reconcile us to God. We therefore BELIEVE in Him as our SAVIOR.
"Therefore my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses." Acts 13:38-39
"But these things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name." John 20:31
"Belief" is with the mind. But we "receive" with the heart. We RECEIVE Him as LORD, which means He is 'in charge.' He has earned the right to be our lawgiver, our purpose in life. "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. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." Romans 10:9-10
What about all the things I have to 'do', or 'not do'? You don't 'do' them to 'be' a Christian, you 'do' them because you are a Christian! Once you are reconciled to God, you will desire to please Him and thank Him for His mercy! This is your spiritual journey of BECOMING sanctified.
"Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1-2
So in summary, a Christian is a person who, after searching for meaning because of a God-enabled REPENTANT spirit, has BELIEVED in Jesus as the Christ, RECEIVED Him as Lord, and is BECOMING sanctified.
WhyIBelieve.Org Ministries Copyright Pending 2002 M. Sutherland |
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