What does it mean to be a CHRISTIAN?
Many of us do not seem to have a clear idea of what a CHRISTIAN
really is. Generally, we think there is a set of rules which, if
kept faithfully, will make a person a CHRISTIAN. Some of us feel
that if our good deeds outweigh our bad deeds, God will "let" us
into heaven..
In the BIBLE certain words are used in connection with being a
CHRISTIAN that should be defined so everyone will know exactly
what it means to become a CHRISTIAN.
Have you ever heard the word CONVERTED? This means to "turn
around." We are going in one direction and by what the BIBLE
calls REPENTANCE, we turn and go in the opposite direction. By
nature EVERYONE is going the wrong way - the way of sin - and we
must be "turned around", or CONVERTED. There are two BIBLE verses
that show this very clearly. JEREMIAH 10:23 says, "I know that
the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh
to direct his steps."
And Matthew 18:3 tells us, "Except ye be CONVERTED, and become as
little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."
Sometimes we talk about being SAVED. What does this mean? To be
saved means to be rescued from what we are in our old sinful
nature, and to be made what God wants us to be, so that before
HIM we are without sin. JESUS said that He came "to seek and to
save that which was lost" (LUKE 19:10)
His part in redemption was to pay the price of sin, and our part
is to place our confidence and trust in HIM as our personal
SAVIOR. When we do this, we can claim GOD'S promise that "In
(Him) we have redemption ... even the forgiveness of sins."
(Ephesians 1:7)
Another phrase found in the Bible is that of being BORN AGAIN. In
the third chapter of JOHN, JESUS said, "Except a man be BORN
AGAIN, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (verse 3)
What did JESUS mean by that?
We respond and act like human beings because we received a human
nature from our parents. So, to have the nature that acts
according to the will of God, we must be BORN into HIS family and
receive HIS nature. This is exactly what happens when we are BORN
AGAIN. We are placed into God's family; we are made HIS children.
The BIBLE says it this way: "Therefore if any man be in CHRIST,
he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all
things become new." (II Corinthians 5:17)
Now, let's discuss the words RECEIVING CHRIST. To receive
something means to take, to accept, to trust in, or to believe.
In the CHRISTIAN life it means to accept SOMEONE; and that ONE,
of course, is JESUS CHRIST, God's Son. You heard the invitation
of the Lord, "Come unto me, all ye that travail and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28), you turned from
your sinful way (repentance) and you received JESUS CHRIST as
your PERSONAL Savior.
Are you a CHRISTIAN? Are you SAVED? Have you ever been BORN
AGAIN? Have you ever RECEIVED CHRIST?" And they have answered,
"Well, I belong to a church ... I do as many good things as I can
. I think I am as good as anybody ... I must be saved!."
Going to church, being good and doing good deeds are fine, but
these things do not give ETERNAL LIFE. The Bible teaches that to
be SAVED - to be a CHRISTIAN, to be BORN AGAIN, to be CONVERTED -
YOU MUST RECEIVE JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR from YOUR sin. HE is the
ONE who died for us (Romans 5:6). HE is the ONE who LIVES in
heaven and speaks to GOD on our behalf EVERY day (I Timothy 2:5)
Suppose an angel should SUDDENLY stand before you and ask, "Are
you ready to meet GOD?" What would YOUR answer be?
If you are not CERTAIN, invite JESUS CHRIST into your heart and
life RIGHT NOW.
Make CERTAIN that YOU know what it means to be a CHRISTIAN.
You can pray a prayer RIGHT NOW to do just THAT, by repeating the
following prayer and meaning it in your heart. It doesn't matter
if you close your eyes or not, God only wants your heart to be
true:
"Lord Jesus, come into ÿmy life and my heart. I do now
acknowledge my sins and accept you as my personal savior. I
acknowledge you as the Living Son of God, and Lord. I hereby
commit my life to you for eternity."
Leave a message for SYSOP, leave name and address and phone
number so that we can get some materials to you and help you grow
in this NEW LIFE and experience.
This article is from the Computers for Christ (408-997-2790),
another BBS ministry.)
HELP FOR NEW CHRISTIANS
OK! New Christian...What Now? | Bible verse for every letter of the alphabet.| Church History Summary.| The Christian Message.| Election. | Is Hebrews 6 a warning? | Seven Incontestable Questions. | Ironside: Agnosticism. | Issues Of The Heart - J. MacArthur. | Natural Laws and God's Laws. | Possession: The Devil Made Me Do It! | The Preisthood Of All Believers. | Why Jesus? | Knowing Why You Believe - Evidence - Bible. | Discussions With Unbelievers. | Inerrancy. | What Does It Mean To Be A Christian? | First Adam; Then Eve; then what? | What Will People Think? | Perfect For All Time. | Jesus Is Lord. | Spiritual Strength And Power. | The Biblical Calendar Of History. | Studying Your Bible. | Computer Analysis Of The Books Of The Bible. | Early Christianity - Is The Record Sound? | The Bible - The Most Popular Book. | Credentials Of The Bible. | Doomed - to Hell. | Faith And Works In The Plan Of God. | Others Can But You Can't. | Impositions - giving to God and by God. | Why Did Christ Die? | The Successful Christian - #1. | The Successful Christian - #2. | Is It What We Say Or What We Are? | Forty-day Bible Study. | Is Baptism Necessary For Salvation? | How To Overcome Sin - Charles Finney. Death. | Why We Reject This Version. | How Does God Keep His Promises? | Radical Genesis Evangelicals.
This article is from www.BelieversCafe.com