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What is a Christian?

(1 Pet 3:15-16 NIV) But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Unfortunately, the common impression of a Christian has been distorted by the popular media, the retreat of the organized churches into social clubs, and the un-Christian behaviour of far too many people who claim to be Christians. So, I've put together this little essay to explain what a Christian really is ...

Some think it is belonging to some church or denomination. Wrong. While church membership is very important to the growth of a Christian, it is not what makes a person a Christian.

Some think it is belonging to some political party or being conservative. Wrong. Your political or social ties have nothing to do with making you a Christian.

Some think it is a matter of doing good and not hurting anyone. Wrong. We can never be good enough to meet God's requirements for perfection, so this definitely doesn't make you a Christian.

Some think it is being baptised into a church when they were young. Wrong. The sprinkling of water does not a Christian make. However, a Christian will want to be baptised.

Some think it is following some set of rules and regulations. Wrong. Again, we never seem to do a good job following rules and rituals do not a Christian make.

Instead, being a Christian is simply a relationship with the Son of God, Jesus Christ. It is trusting in what Jesus did when He died on the cross nearly 2000 years ago; trusting that He was raised from the dead on the third day; and that He is alive today and freely grants salvation to all those who ask.

What is the Gospel (good news)?

First two questions ...

  1. Have you come to a place in your spiritual life where you know for certain that if you die today that you will go to heaven? And, by the way, you can KNOW the answer.
  2. Now, supposed you did die today and you are standing before God and He asks, "Why should I let you into my heaven?", what would you say.

Well, the good news is you can know the answer to the above.

We need to understand that access to heaven is a free gift, you cannot earn it and you do not deserve it.

(Rom 6:23 NIV) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

However, man (you and me) are sinners and we cannot save ourselves. God demands perfection to enter into His heaven.

(Mat 5:48 NIV) Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

(Rom 3:23 NIV) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

(Eph 2:8,9 NIV) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast.

God, is both merciful (doesn't want to punish us) and just (must punish us). Therefore, God, from the beginning, provided a solution that would allow Him to extend His mercy and still satisfy His perfection and justice. The solution was in the form of a substitute. God's law allows for someone to take the place of a guilty person, thus accepting the punishment. That substitute was the very Son of God -- Jesus Christ.

(John 1:1, 14 NIV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

(Rom 6:23 NIV) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Rom 5:8 NIV) But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

So, when Jesus died on the cross nearly 2000 years ago, He was paying the price that our sins required. He became our substitute. And, because God raised him from the dead on the third day, He is able to offer Himself as our substitute before God. All we have to do is receive what He now freely offers. That's it.

(Eph 2:8 NIV) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God ...

We become a Christian when we put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ. It is more than saying you believe He exists. Even Satan and the demons know He exists. It is changing your mind and heart to trust that what Jesus did on the cross, what God did on the third day (Easter), and what He promises to do on your behalf as revealed in His Word -- the Bible.

At this point, I should remind you that God is looking at your heart and will more than He is listening to your lips.

(Jer 29:13 NIV) You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Now, you can become a Christian by accepting God's free gift ...

(Rom 10:13 NIV) for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

If this is really what you mean and accept, then the Lord Jesus will hear your prayer and grant you eternal life. Pray something like this:

Lord Jesus, I want you to come in and take over my life right now. I am a sinner. I have been trusting in myself or some institution and my own good works. I realize now that these cannot save me. But now I place my trust in you. I accept you as my own personal Saviour. I believe you died for me and you were raised on the third day. I receive you as Lord and Master of my life. Help me to turn from my sins and to follow you. I accept the free gift of eternal life. I am not worthy of it but I thank you for it. In Your name, I pray. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, I now want to encourage you to seek out a Bible teaching Church in your area. It doesn't really matter the denomination, but find one that puts emphasis on the inerrancy of God's Word.

Can I be sure?

God promises that once we are saved, we are always saved. But, salvation is evident by change in your life.

(John 10:27, 28 NIV) My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.

First, salvation is not based on feelings. Our feelings change by the minute; so feelings are not a reliable evidence of believe or a way to maintain a constant walk. Often, God's commands will be opposite what we feel like doing. But we are called to obedience, not following our feelings.

(2 Cor 5:7 NIV) We live by faith, not by sight.

Secondly, God promises are certain. God cannot, by His very nature, break His promises.

(1 John 5:13 NIV) I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

(1 John 4:13 NIV) We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.

(John 3:36 NIV) Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."

That is it. God's solution is very simple -- we accept the free gift He offers us. We don't need to do anything else. We don't need to change first; when we accept God, He will change us.

If you are a fellow Christian, let me know. Or, if you have questions, feel free to ask me. Thanks.