Are you a Christian? What is a Christian, and how do you know if you are a Christian? Well to answer these questions we will start with the simple definition of a Christian. A Christian is defined as a follower of JESUS CHRIST, pretty easy for the first part.
for the second part of the question, this we can easily answer by one simple test.
test is to ask yourself one question, “Do you follow CHRIST in your life and in the ways of your life”? This seems to be the tough part for people, because it is easy to say that you are a Christian, but to actually live in the ways of CHRIST is another story.
me give you an example. I can say that I am a doctor or lawyer or dentist, but just because I give myself one of these titles does not make it so! These are all jobs a person can have in life. I would be laughed at if I were to claim one of these titles without the proper schooling and degrees to back this up.
you may be asking what these jobs have to do with being a Christian, and I’m glad you asked or thought this question because it has everything to do with being a Christian. Well, you see that being a Christian is more than just a belief according to the Bible.
Bible says that even the demons believe in one God and tremble (James 2:19). Being a Christian is a way of life. Obviously just saying or believing I am a doctor, or lawyer, or dentist does not make me one, it is the knowledge and action of doing that makes a person what they are.
why don’t we look at those people that say they are Christians, and hold them up to certain standards, like the ones found in the Bible? If someone tells me that they are a Christian, then I hold them to what JESUS said, for HE said that that person would bear good fruits in their lives (Luke 6:43-45). This means that the actions and words of that person should represent JESUS CHRIST. I never read of JESUS CHRIST using a cuss word, or going to wild parties and drinking to get drunk. I also have never read of JESUS saying that it was OK to have intercourse while not married: in fact JESUS stands against things like this.
those around me that say they are Christians do all of these things and many more, and they still consider themselves Christians.
can this be? Remember that first question, “What is a Christian”? Well if I remember correctly it was to be a follower of JESUS CHRIST. So to say that you are a Christian and not really follow CHRIST in your actions and in the things you say, is really considered lying.
us look for a moment at what JESUS said to those who claimed to be Christians in HIS day.
JESUS said easy is the way that leads to hell and many would enter, but difficult is the way to Heaven and FEW would enter in (Matt. 7:13-14). Then to these same who even claimed to be HIS people, and do things in HIS name, HE told them not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
will say to ME in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from ME, you who practice lawlessness (Matt ch 7 vs. 21-23). Notice that these people even called HIM Lord.
also that these people did miracles in HIS name.
JESUS says to them, depart from me you workers of lawlessness, this means that they lived in sin and talked the talk (saying they were Christians), but did not walk the walk (living for JESUS in their personal lives). By the way, the majority of the people living in America are in this category. (Are you shocked at this)? Well, just look at the values in America today, then match them up with the Bible, and that will explain everything.
laid down certain ways of living for us in the Bible, and so called Christians dismiss them away and just say “GOD knows my heart”. This is often used as an excuse for living however they want. Throughout the Bible GOD tells us that if we don’t live for HIM we would be punished.
is this punishment people will face for disobedience toward GOD and HIS ways. Americans ways of living are almost all antichristian and getting worse every day.
you know that some 50% of Americans call themselves Christians? To me this is startling considering that most people who call themselves Christians don’t even believe the Bible is 100% true. To not believe the Bible means not to be a Christian, because JESUS CHRIST is WHO the Bible tells us about from the beginning of the book. By the way, if the Bible is not 100% true and correct, then that makes GOD a liar, and JESUS CHRIST a fairy tale, (2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of GOD) for who can believe anything out of a fictional book. I don’t know of any character out of a fictional book that has completely changed the lives of millions of people worldwide. In fact I know many people personally, and of many people around the world who have given their lives to JESUS CHRIST and their lives have been radically transformed after they have accepted CHRIST as their personal Savior.
the Bible says that if anyone is in CHRIST they are a new CEATION (2 Corinthians 5:17). So to recap what was said, not everyone who calls themselves a Christian is telling the truth, they are not saved and they are not on there way to Heaven.
even JESUS said only those who do the will of MY Father will enter Heaven. So if you are one of these people who claims Christianity but do not live a CHRISTLIKE life (and chances are this is you) then stop fooling yourself, because your not fooling JESUS. PLEASE! Remember that JESUS said FEW would inherit eternal life, and that there would be many who would even come to HIM calling HIM LORD, and that HE would tell them “I never knew you”. But there is GOOD NEWS for you today.
GOOD NEWS is that there is repentance in JESUS name.
you can REPENT, which just means that you TURN TO GOD and away from your sinful life, and truly give your life to JESUS CHRIST realizing that you are a sinner and in need of a Savior.
traditionally is done through a prayer, but if you just pray a prayer and do NOT TURN YOUR HEART to CHRIST, than it means nothing.
consider what was written and turn now to GOD and be saved, giving everything of yourself to JESUS CHRIST who died on the CROSS, giving HIS life for you (Matt 20:28). Know that GOD loves you so much and does not want you to stay on a path going away from HIM.
receive JESUS as your LORD and SAVIOR and start reading the Bible and praying every day.
is important because you need to know what GOD sounds like.
is a devil also, and the Bible calls him Satan the deceiver (Revelation 12:9). And for good reason, because he tries to sound like GOD and does a good job of it.
in prayer, ask GOD to lead you to a Bible believing church and worship JESUS CHRIST and fellowship with HIS people. I hope you turn your life over to CHRIST after reading this and start a beautiful new relationship with JESUS today.
