What do we understand a person to mean when he says, “I am a Christian”? Does it mean he was baptized the last time he was in church? Does it simply mean he agrees with the general principles of Christianity? Could he mean that he often attends church on Sunday or is a member of a church? What is a Christian? When someone tells you that he is a Christian, how do you know if he really is? In my youth, if someone (rarely) told me he was a Christian, I just thought “OK. Whatever!” Generally, I did not see “Christians” acting any differently from anyone else. I thought, in general, that most Christians were hypocrites. All I understood about Christianity was that Christians are supposed to be “good”.
Are you a Christian? What is it that makes you a Christian? Can you explain it to me? Being a Christian doesn’t require great intelligence. However, many of the most intelligent people I have met are Christians. When I read about the lives of Christians who lived in earlier centuries, I am amazed at their devotion to God. Today, very few Christians seem to live consistently in His presence as these men did. Instead of experiencing the presence of Christ, it seems that modern man has settled for the pretense of Christ. What is the difference? What makes a real Christian?
Again, in my youth, I thought that becoming a Christian was like joining a club. You make a decision to join the club and then you agreed to abide by club rules. Then, at the age of 31, I discovered this was not the case at all. I discovered that instead of a club, it was really an all-encompassing kingdom which I never would have even seen except for the Holy Spirit coming into my life. What is a Christian?
Do you believe in the supernatural? You must first be supernaturally changed. According to Jesus Christ, “unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) Your life is quite literally filled with a new kind of life in Christ. As Paul says, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20) What is a Christian?
Do you believe the Bible? A Christian must believe that the Bible is the authoritative Word of God. If a person does not believe the truth of the entire Bible, this person cannot define himself as a Christian. The Bible is not simply a source of information; it is the source for transformation. So, what is a Christian?
Have you received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord over all your life? You once were a slave to sin. Are you now adopted as a son of God? “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name [Jesus] under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) The question of your salvation is the most important personal question you will face in this life. If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your only means of salvation and Lord over all you think, do, and say; including whatever circumstances you now face, then you are not a Christian and I urge you with all my heart to get on your knees and pray for God’s mercy on your life, and that you might know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord! Are you a Christian? When was the last time you examined your heart and life to decide if you really are a Christian?
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I “happened” to come across your blog while doing some research for my recent post. I then went to your “about” page. It blessed my heart to read of one who came to faith, even after running in the opposite direction.
Last Sunday night I preached a message dealing with the difference between a God-centered life and a Christ-filled life. In my estimation, there are many who live the first without having the latter. Salvation is not what we do. Salvation is not who we are. Salvation is who Christ is and His life in us. Without the transforming life of “Christ in us,” we would still be dead in our sins, and no amount of good works or God-centered living could change that.
“Have you received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord over all your life?” Wow! Now there’s a quesion!
Like you I have beautifully spirited Baptist and Methodist roots….became a Christian at age nine during Vacation Bible School. Too, I am a retired educator. And I am surely to a point in my life one could call the ‘reflection’ stage. Some time ago I prayed, ‘Ps 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. ‘ And He did….search me…and show me…my own heart! Wow! The reality is that, yes, I fully accepted Christ as my Savior but I had not accepted Him as Lord ‘over all my life.’
Southern Christian tradition emphasizes ‘Savior’ but teaches “Lord’ is not possible. It teaches that we are not expected to do the works of righteousness born out of a regenerated and transformed heart…..but that we are merely the recipients of assigned or imputed righteousness. ‘After all’, tradition insists, ‘we are merely human and cannot keep from sin.’ So here I am at this point in my life confronted with the ‘heart search report’ from God. He is demanding Lordship via a supernatural/unseen and very personal relationship with the ‘resurrected’ Christ. The same supernatural/unseen power which allowed His blood to atone for the sins of mankind, is the same supernatural/unseen powerful presence which allows one to accomplish deeds born out of pure intent for pure purposes. Such deeds are known as righteous acts which are the response to pure and real ‘belief.’ Noah’s righteous work resulting from believing God was the Ark. Abraham accomplished ‘belief’ when he drew back his hand to slay Isaac after telling his servants basically..’wait here. We’ll be back.’
Ge 22:5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.
Heb 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son. 18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
Thus, I have come to know in my heart that as Christ is the fulness of the Law, likewise Lordship is the fulness of Savior. They are the plan of Salvation. Abel knew the price of obedience. Rebekah and Jacob knew the price of accomplishing God’s will that Jacob rule over Esau. It was not easy then. It is neither easy nor accepted now.
My southern Christian tradition is all ‘Savior’ with little ‘Lordship’. It is about living life pretty much as the rest of ‘good’ society while claiming God’s blessings. There is no power…no transformation…no regeneration…thus, no righteousness.
WEll, that was probably more than you wanted or need to know…lol. But your post sparked serious thought on Christ and Grace.
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for sharing your heart!