WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN?
‘I was brought up in a Christian home. My parents always went to Church.’
That’s good, but that does not in itself make anyone a Christian anymore than going to the zoo makes anyone a chimpanzee.
‘I believe in doing good and helping others.’
Quite right, too, but this is not enough to make you a Christian. Many people who do not even believe in God can be kind neighbours, ready to do a good turn to anyone in need. But that does not make you a Christian.
‘I was baptized when I was little.’
So are thousands who care little about Jesus. Going through a religious ceremony does not make anyone a Christian.
‘I believe in God.’
The Bible tells that the devil does, too! He knows there is a God all right. Most people, if asked, say they believe in God, but have little or no idea who God is or what He is like.
You can believe that a jet travels across the Atlantic Ocean, but you will not travel one centimeter just by believing it. You have to get on the jet and go. Believing in God, right though it is, is not enough to make you a Christian.
Well then, what is a Christian?
The name ‘Christian’ was given to some of the first followers of Jesus. It meant those who belong to Christ. Christ-ian – Christ’s men and women.
The best description of a Christian comes from Jesus himself. He described Christian as those who have been re-born.
Each of us has been born by the ordinary, natural process of birth and so become part of the human family. But we also need to be born into God’s family if we are to become part of that family. This does not happen by natural means, by being born into the ‘right’ family or by doing good or by being religious. We have to be born all over again, starting a new life. We cannot do this on our own; it is something God promises to do for us.
God in His love for us has done everything necessary. He sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins so that we can be forgiven and become His children. The way is now wide open. There is nothing to stop anyone, no matter who they are or what they may have done, from coming to know God. He has done His part. And He asks us to our part.
Do you want to become a Christian and know Jesus Christ in your life?
Do you want to know that He has forgiven all your sins and that you are a child of God?
Do you want to know that you have eternal life, the life of God in you, and that when you die you will go straight to be with Him in heaven?
If so, read on …..
‘I was brought up in a Christian home. My parents always went to Church.’
That’s good, but that does not in itself make anyone a Christian anymore than going to the zoo makes anyone a chimpanzee.
‘I believe in doing good and helping others.’
Quite right, too, but this is not enough to make you a Christian. Many people who do not even believe in God can be kind neighbours, ready to do a good turn to anyone in need. But that does not make you a Christian.
‘I was baptized when I was little.’
So are thousands who care little about Jesus. Going through a religious ceremony does not make anyone a Christian.
‘I believe in God.’
The Bible tells that the devil does, too! He knows there is a God all right. Most people, if asked, say they believe in God, but have little or no idea who God is or what He is like.
You can believe that a jet travels across the Atlantic Ocean, but you will not travel one centimeter just by believing it. You have to get on the jet and go. Believing in God, right though it is, is not enough to make you a Christian.
Well then, what is a Christian?
The name ‘Christian’ was given to some of the first followers of Jesus. It meant those who belong to Christ. Christ-ian – Christ’s men and women.
The best description of a Christian comes from Jesus himself. He described Christian as those who have been re-born.
Each of us has been born by the ordinary, natural process of birth and so become part of the human family. But we also need to be born into God’s family if we are to become part of that family. This does not happen by natural means, by being born into the ‘right’ family or by doing good or by being religious. We have to be born all over again, starting a new life. We cannot do this on our own; it is something God promises to do for us.
God in His love for us has done everything necessary. He sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins so that we can be forgiven and become His children. The way is now wide open. There is nothing to stop anyone, no matter who they are or what they may have done, from coming to know God. He has done His part. And He asks us to our part.
Do you want to become a Christian and know Jesus Christ in your life?
Do you want to know that He has forgiven all your sins and that you are a child of God?
Do you want to know that you have eternal life, the life of God in you, and that when you die you will go straight to be with Him in heaven?
If so, read on …..
