 |
|
What is the definition of a Christian? Is a person a Christian because he was born in America, or raised in a Christian family, or went to church? No. Being born in America doesn’t make you a Christian any more than it makes you a Hindu, Moslem, or atheist. Being raised in a Christian family doesn’t make you a Christian any more than being raised in a family of doctors makes you a brain surgeon. Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you a car. A Christian is a person who believes in the teachings of Jesus, and who lives by those beliefs. A simple way to determine if you’re a Christian or a “Christian” is how you answer the following question: Would you choose to be executed, or tortured to death, rather than deny that Jesus is the Christ? Foremost among Jesus’ teachings were: (1) he was the Son of God, (2) he was the creator of the universe and of all life, (3) he lived a sinless life, (4) the reason he came to earth was to be a blood sacrifice, (5) that he is the only mediator between mankind and God the Father. If you’re wondering what a blood sacrifice is: when Adam and Eve sinned, and mankind was doomed to follow in their footsteps, God demanded blood sacrifices from the people to atone for their sins. These sacrifices were animals and birds. Never human. God promised to mankind that we would send a sinless person to become the “covenant sacrifice,” or, “promised sacrifice.” That way we wouldn’t have to continue to sacrifice animals and birds any more. All we had to do was acknowledge the blood sacrifice that Jesus became when he allowed himself to be crucified, and died. Either Jesus was God, or he wasn’t. If he was, then he is alive and you should get to know him. If he wasn’t, then he was a liar, a fraud, and an egomaniac. Some people consider themselves to be Christians because they like his teachings about love, but they don’t believe his teachings about this divinity. They’re saying that they are followers of a dead liar, fraud, and egomaniac. *There is one God and one mediator between God and man; the man Christ Jesus. (1754) (1 Timothy 2:5) *For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 King James (Version) (73) *You may be an ambassador to England or France, you may like to gamble, you might like to dance, you may be the heavyweight champion of the world, you might be a socialite with a long string of pearls, but you’re gonna have to serve somebody. Well it may be the devil, or it may be the Lord, but you’re gonna have to serve somebody. Bob Dylan (2820) (Gotta Serve Somebody) *Men judge by outward appearance but the Lord looks at a man’s thoughts and intentions. (2271) (1 Samuel 16:7) *All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 (1522) *If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (2077) (1 John 1:8) *If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (2453) (1 John 1:9) *Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. Acts 16:31 (1624) *God be merciful to me a sinner. (2736) (Luke 18:13c) This prayer is known as a “sinner’s prayer.” It is an example of how easy it is to have your sins forgiven by God, and become a follower of Christ. It’s not complicated – it’s only seven words! To become a Christian you don’t have to pay money to a church or take an exhaustive Bible study course. You don’t have to jump and shake or twist and shout. You don’t have to speak in a language you don’t know. You don’t even have to be in church to have your sins forgiven because God is always right next to you. All you need is a sincere desire to get rid of your sins and be forgiven for them! *He who created us without our help will not save us without our consent. St. Augustine (1557) *It is appointed unto men once to die and after this the judgment. (2435) (Hebrews 9:27) (This verse makes it clear that Christianity and reincarnation are incompatible.) *Know that he who comes to Christ will have all his sins forgiven. Take heart, repent, and find your joy in the Lord. (2318) (St. Francis of Assisi) *Joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth. Luke 15:7(a) (2848) (The definition of “repent” simply means to change the way you think.) |