What does it mean to be a Christian?
Being a Christian is more than simply identifying with a specific religion or affirming a particular value system. It means embracing what the Bible says about God, humanity, and salvation. Consider the following truths found in the Bible.
God is the Sovereign Creator
Contemporary wisdom suggests that humanity is the result of evolution, but the Bible teaches that a personal God created us to love, serve, and enjoy an everlasting connection with Him. According to the New Testament, Jesus is the creator of everything (John 1:3, Colossians 1:16), and therefore, He owns and governs everything (Psalm 103:19), giving Him authority over our lives. Consequently, we owe Him complete loyalty, obedience, and worship.
God is Holy
God is absolutely and perfectly holy (Isaiah 6:3). Therefore, He cannot commit or approve of evil (James 1:13). God also requires holiness of us. 1 Peter 1:16 says, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."
Humanity is Sinful
According to Scripture, everyone is guilty of sin; "There is no man who does not sin" (1 Kings 8:46). This doesn't mean we're incapable of performing acts of human kindness. But we're utterly incapable of understanding, loving, or pleasing God on our own (Romans 3:10-12).
Sin Demands a Penalty
God's holiness and justice dictate that all sin must be punished by death (Ezekiel 18:4). Therefore, simply changing our behavior patterns cannot solve our sin problem or eliminate its consequences.
Jesus is Lord and Savior
Romans 10:9 proclaims, "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." God's justice and Christ's perfect life satisfied the demands of God's holiness (2 Corinthians 5:21), enabling Him to forgive and save those who place their faith in Him (Romans 3:26).
Saved by Grace and Not Works
The Bible teaches that sinners are saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). All other religions falsely believe that good works contribute to salvation. But this gift of eternal life is graciously given not to those who work, but those who put their faith in Christ (Romans 4:4-5).
The Character of Saving Faith
True faith is always accompanied by repentance from sin. Repentance involves acknowledging to God that you are sinful, confessing your sins, and making a conscious choice to turn away from sin (Luke 13:3,5; 1 Thessalonians 1:9) and to pursue Christ (Matthew 11:28-30; John 17:3) and obey Him (1 John 2:3). Simply believing in specific facts about Christ is not enough. Even Satan and his demons believe in the true God (James 2:19), but they do not love and obey Him. True saving faith always leads to obedience (Ephesians 2:10).
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