E-mail:
judywbates@bargainomics.com
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WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A CHRISTIAN?
1. Being a Christian means that you have willingly surrendered every aspect of your life to the lordship of Jesus Christ.
While many people claim to be Christians, being a true believer is being BORN AGAIN, which means that you have asked Jesus Christ to be in charge of every part of your life. While the act of surrendering to Him is a lasting one-time commitment, the result is ON-GOING and LIFE-CHANGING.
2. Being a Christian means that you desire to be Jesus to all those you come in contact with.
While none of us are perfect, we who have accepted Jesus Christ’s free gift of salvation, according to I John 4:12, should know that “…His love is perfected in us” (NASB). We are works in progress. What that verse literally says is that we are BEING perfected. And while He is working in us, we must willfully choose to respond as Jesus would in every situation.
3. Being a Christian means that people take precedence over things.
While there is nothing wrong with wanting a nice home, nice clothes, or a nice car, these should not be the focus of our lives and our energy. We are to keep “…our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:2, NASB). Jesus said, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35, NASB). We are to love as Jesus loved, not just those who love us, not just those who fit our social level or denomination – we are to love indiscriminately.
4. Being a Christian means being able to walk in victory, regardless of our circumstances.
First John 5:4 proclaims: “…and this is the victory that overcomes the world – our faith” (NASB). Faith in Jesus Christ means living ABOVE our circumstances, walking in victory regardless of what we see as we look all around us. This world is not our home. Our real home is the one Jesus Christ is preparing for us in heaven. And one day He will return to gather His children – all who truly believe He is the One True Son of God – and take us to live with Him forever.
5. Being a Christian means recognizing the true owner of all that we have been placed in charge of.
In Luke 16 Jesus tells about an Owner who entrusts His workers with His money, then goes away for a time. When the Owner returns, He praises the workers who were good managers, but He is angry with the one who mismanaged His Master’s money. Jesus concludes this story in verses 11 & 12 with these words: “So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?” (NIV). All we call our own: our money, our time, our “things” – all these are on loan to us from the True Owner and He is watching to see how we manage. The only things we will be able to take with us when we go to our real home in heaven are those things that we have done in the name of Jesus Christ.
6. Being a Christian means knowing that JESUS Christ lives in you and through you.
You don’t have to wonder about whether or not you are saved. The Bible teaches us that salvation is a gift: “…the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23, NASB). How do you receive this gift? Romans 10:9 gives the answer: “…if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved…” (NASB). God is faithful. He will do exactly what He said He will do. Becoming a Christian isn’t complicated, but it is permanent. Who would give a gift and then ask for it back? Salvation is the gift of God that you can receive by believing on Jesus. Will you become perfect? Not until you get to heaven. But in the meantime, God’s Holy Spirit will come into your life and fill you and begin His work of perfection inside you. How do receive this wonderful gift? You can do that right now by praying this prayer with sincerity:
"Lord Jesus, I believe you are the only Son of God. I believe that you came to earth, was born as a baby, grew as a man, and willingly went to the cross to die for my sins. I believe you rose from the grave and returned to heaven to prepare a place where I can live forever. As best as I know how, I give you my life – body, mind, and spirit – to be used for your glory. I ask you to forgive me of my sins and come into my life and be my Savior. I also ask you to be Lord of every part of my life. I thank you and I love you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
If you prayed that prayer, please take the time to e-mail me at: judywbates@bargainomics.com and give me the privilege of rejoicing with you and praying for you.
Jesus - He's what real living is all about!
“I came that [you] may have life, and have it abundantly.” (Jesus speaking, John 10:10, NASB) |
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