What does it mean to be a Christian?
In order to answer that question properly, we must know why a person needs to be a Christian in the first place.
Salvation Is Needed By Everyone
The Bible is clear that we are all sinners and are separated from God.
Romans 3:10 “There is none good, no not one.”
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
Isaiah 59:2 “But your sins have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.”
Because of our sin, we are separated from Him and are condemned to death. According to God’sWord, “The wages of sin is death…” The only thing we are due is eternal separation from God because of our sinful nature.
Salvation Is Provided For Everyone
God does not want anyone to experience separation from Him, so He has provided a way for us to come to Him. He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die on a cross for our sins. Jesus paid the complete debt for our salvation.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Romans 5:8 “God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.”
Nothing we could ever do (good works, religious activity, giving, etc…) can give us right standing with God. Jesus has provided that for us through His death on the cross and His resurrection from the grave!
Salvation Must Be Received
Salvation is available to all, but only those who accept Christ’s offer of salvation will experience it.
John 1:12 “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God.”
Romans 10:9 “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.”
Romans 10:13 “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Have you received God’s gift of salvation offered through Jesus Christ? If not, you may start your journey of faith by saying something like this to God from your heart.
Dear God, I know that I am a sinner and that I am separated from you. I know that I cannot save myself. Jesus, You are the only One who can save me. I believe that You died for me. I believe that you were buried, and that You rose again on the third day. I confess that You are both Lord and Savior. I turn away now from my sin and surrender my life completely over to You. I call on You, Jesus, to save me. Thank You that You have saved me now. I want to live for You the rest of my life. Help me to not be ashamed of You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you have received Christ, you have become a part of the family of God, and it offers you the privilege to become a member of a Bible believing church.