What does it mean to be a Christian?

When you hear the word “Christian” what do you think? Do you picture steeples and cathedrals? Maybe you think of images you have seen of people worshipping or of a charismatic TV preacher. It could be it brings to mind a co-worker or a family member. Perhaps you simply think of it as another one of a huge range of religious options. But what does it really mean to be a Christian?

The term Christian was actually one given to the early church in a city called Antioch. The people in the city saw this group of people professing to believe in Jesus Christ and so they called them “little Christs” or “Christians.” Whether the term was genuine or derogatory is unclear, but it stuck because it so accurately described what Christians are about: imitating Jesus in every aspect of our lives.  This encompasses many things, but there are a few very fundamental things that we believe.

Who God is

First we believe that there IS a God. He is the one that got this whole thing called existence going in creation, and he continues to care deeply for and interact with what He created. He also created man to enjoy creation and perfect relationship with God. He is infinitely powerful, good, loving, and just, and He has put these attributes on display in what He created.  

Who we are

We are God’s creation, carefully designed to enjoy life by worshipping God.  However, men rebelled against God and sought to live lives independent of God’s rule and influence. What man thought would bring him joy and life instead brought misery and death. In seeking his own way man used power for injustice, things in creation for violence, and the gifts God had given for selfishness. We do not have to look very far in our world to see evidence of the evil of men. We can see evidence in our own lives with broken families, lingering feelings of guilt, and perpetual disappointment.   

What He Did

Since God is infinitely just, He calls on all men to give account for the way they live their lives. Since He is our creator, He also must serve as our judge. He desires to restore relationship, but He also must give the just penalty for what we have done.  How then do we have any hope?  We stand guilty before a just God.

However, God is both just and loving, and He has provided a way for us to be reconciled to Him. He sent his son Jesus to earth to bring reconciliation. He did this first by living a perfect life and teaching about how to live rightly before God. He then died on the cross on a hill called Calvary. At the cross God put all of the evil and misery of the world on Jesus, and made Him the object of his justice. Rather than holding us accountable for our actions God  offered His own son in our place.  

But that is not the end of the story. Three days after dying on the cross Jesus rose from the dead demonstrating that misery and death would not hold sway permanently. He then ascended to heaven where he serves as our advocate before God. Jesus has brought us the offer of salvation through his own death, resurrection, and ascension.

Gettin’ Saved

How then do we receive this offer of salvation? It is gained by acknowledging God and Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Notice that there are two parts. The first is acknowledging him as Lord. Basically this just means that you acknowledge Jesus as God’s son and recognize his authority. The second is to acknowledge him as savior.  This means that you believe that you are under the just judgment of God and that you need a savior. You believe that through his death on the cross Jesus is your savior.   

If you are ready to receive this gift of salvation take a minute to pray to God about it. It may feel weird to pray if you haven’t done it before, but it is just like talking to a close friend. Whether audibly or inaudibly tell God about all the things that you know that you have done wrong.  Ask for his forgiveness through Jesus and ask that Jesus would be your Lord and Savior.

The big 180° change

So now what?  Guess what, you don’t have to continue to live in those things that make you feel miserable and guilty. The Bible uses a word for the life change that comes with salvation: repentance. What repentance literally means is to turn around and go the other direction. If you were running from God, now you do a 180° and seek Him in everything you do. If you were doing things that were not pleasing to him, now you will do something else that is pleasing to Him. 

An Invitation to a new life

It can be hard to change, but be encouraged that you will find a whole new quality of life in Jesus. However, this isn’t something you have to do alone. We would love to walk with you as you seek after God. That is really what church is all about. If you would like to talk about your decision to follow Jesus please call our church office and they will direct you to someone who will help you figure out next steps.  We also would invite you to join us on Sunday mornings as we worship God and celebrate the new life he has given us!