Encountering an extraordinary God in ordinary life
Issue # 240 August 25, 2001
What is a Christian?

A question I often get asked is: what is a Christian?

If you ask this question of a hundred different people, you will get close to a hundred different answers.

Defining a Christian is compounded by a wide range of doctrinal beliefs and traditions, even within the church itself.

Within the Christian church, there are a variety of interpretations on various subjects. There are differences in worship style and even some differences in opinion as to what books the Holy Bible itself should contain.

To make matters even more complicated, many faiths have come and gone, that used the name Christian or Jesus Christ, that do not hold to what can be considered the orthodox tenants of historical Christianity.

To begin to define “Christian”, perhaps we should look at some things that a Christian is not or ways you do not become a Christian:

- you are not born a Christian. It is not something you inherit, you must make a choice to accept or refuse Christ.

- You are not a Christian because your family members are Christian.

- You are not a Christian just because you live in a so called Christian country.

- You are not a Christian because you go to a Christian church, or got married in a Christian church.

- You are not a Christian just because you believe there was such a person as Jesus.

You are not a Christian UNLESS you have been born again. A Christian is someone who has voluntarily accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

To become a Christian

... 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. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:9-13 NIV

Unless a person has done this they are not a Christian. Are you?

Becoming a Christian doesn’t mean you have “arrived” or suddenly become perfect. No one is perfect except God Himself.

Becoming a Christian means that you have begun an eternal journey that will transform you into the loving image of Jesus Christ.

Until next time, may your hope be rooted in a true belief in our Saviour and not some form of “cultural” Christianity.

God bless

Kevin

If you are not certain if you are a Christian, email me. I’ll share a few Bible verses that will explain why a relationship with Jesus is important and a prayer that will make it possible.