What Does It Mean To Be A Christian?

What it means to be a Christian, at least according to culture, has changed over the years.

Many people think that going to church occasionally or simply believing in God makes them a Christian. But the Bible presents a different perspective and definition of a Christian.

A Christian is someone whose behavior and heart reflects Jesus Christ.

Followers of Jesus were first called “Christians” in Antioch. Acts 11:26 says, “…for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.” They were called “Christians” because their speech and behavior were like Christ.

A Christian is someone who has repented and put faith in trust in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ through His death on the cross and subsequent resurrection, our behavior mirrors, reflects and resembles Christ.

Being gracious and merciful to others is behaving like Christ.
Forgiving, loving and praying for our enemies is Christ-like.
Welcoming and serving the marginalized, the “least” among us, is being like Jesus.
Caring for the sick, needy, underprivileged, widowed, orphaned, poor, abused, and vulnerable—those who are last—mirrors and reflects the Son of Man.
Striving for justice resembles Jesus.

But it’s not simply good works that make someone a Christian.

Being a follower and disciple of Jesus extends beyond our outward behavior. It includes the condition of our heart.

When we put our faith and trust in Christ, when we commit our lives to serving Him and serving others as He served us, our behavior and mindset reflects the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. Christ is with us and in us. We are new creations!

If you are a “born again” Christian, continue to love the Lord with all your heart, mind, and strength; And love others by treating them the way you’d like to be treated. Let your light shine…And tell someone else about Jesus and how HE CAME TO SAVE.

If you are unsaved, while there is yet breath in your body, you can receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. He is listening for your call. You can pray to Him in your own words, or by praying and truly believing the prayer below:

PRAYER OF SALVATION:
God,
I confess that I have sinned against You, and I know that there is nothing I can do by my own efforts to change my condition. I believe that Jesus Christ shed His blood and died on the cross for my sins; And that He rose from the grave on the Third Day to grant me eternal life. I know You love me, God, and I love You. I place my faith and trust only in You to conform my heart to Your will; And to order my steps everyday, from this day forward. Thank You , Lord, for saving me.

When we accept salvation, God saves us immediately, and makes us fit for entrance into Heaven, however some changes God will empower you to make easily, while making other changes will be a process that may take months or even years to make. Regardless of your situation, I assure you that the Lord loves you more than you could ever comprehend, and He will be with you every step of the way.

Pray, study God’s Word and ask Him to give you revelation of what you are reading. I also pray that the Lord will direct you to a true Bible teaching, Jesus loving church, where you can have the support of other believers.

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