Are you a real “Christian”?
How many people today feel that they are a “real true” Christian and are so far from this that they don’t even realize they are headed the wrong direction. It is God that gives the definition of a real Christian not man. Many think that because they were born in a Christian family that it automatically makes them a Christian. I was born in a Christian nation so I am surely a Christian and not a heathen. It doesn’t matter where you are born…that does not make you a Christian.
There are those that think if they but think good thoughts why that makes them a Christian. They are good people. They don’t go around hurting anyone after all. Nope, that does not make one a Christian either. I can live in a car but that won’t make me a car. Just because we are nice and do nice things for others, in and of itself, does not make us a Christian. Many atheists live a decent life but that does not in any way make them a Christian either. You see God sees what we are way different than we might see our self or others. His measure is not our measure. God uses the Lord Jesus as His measuring stick if we need a name to call it. Jesus knew no sin. He died for our sin. He was, is, and will always be perfect. He is what we get measured by. The world has a lot of what, we living on earth, would call good people. So if being what humans call others good could get them into heaven there would be a lot of people on the list to go there. The very fact that Jesus had to come to die on the cross to make our forgiveness possible shows that goodness doesn’t make someone a Christian.
So what about the fact that many of you go to church every time the church doors are open? Do you think that makes you a Christian? Many go to church for all the wrong reasons…but God knows their heart and while they are going to church God can do a great work in them. The fact they sit in a church and look all Christ like while there doesn’t make them a Christian.
Most so called Christians do give to others. Many have little and that little they give is more, at times, than the richest of the rich giving something when they give it with a bad heart or motive. Think of it this way a moment and ponder on it…you can give all you have away for what you think are the right reasons even, but if God is not your Lord and Savior then no matter how much you give away to even help many less fortunate than you…it doesn’t mean you are a Christian.
Taking communion to some means that they believe they are a Christian. Yes, many were baptized, go to church and even take communion but God sees the heart and knows why you take it. Some take communion and don’t even know what it represents or why they themselves take it. Baptism and communion are biblical. They are wonderful and awesome things, but receiving either one doesn’t mean you are a Christian.
Believing in God why that makes you a Christian right? No, not necessarily. I won’t say much here except even the demons believe in who Jesus/God is and the devil knows the word of God. That does not make them/him a Christian. Think about that one!
Talking about Jesus makes one a Christian! Really? Nope! You are not a Christian just because you talk about God. Many do this and don’t love the Lord at all. Some distort the truth of the word to fit whatever it is that they want someone to think and believe in.
Prayer makes you a Christian. No! Most religions pray to whatever they call their god and that won’t make them a Christian. Praying, in and of itself, will not and does not make you a Christian.
Reading scripture will make you a Christian. No. Many who read the Bible do not do so because they love the Lord with all their heart, mind, and soul. Some just want to tear the Bible apart or make it say whatever it is they want to tell you about…they twist the truth. Reading the Bible is powerful for the Christian, and it is also a means to show others the Lord Jesus…but just to say you read the bible makes you a Christian it does not.
So what in the world makes you a Christian? There are a lot of things that help on this one but I am only going to mention a few. You must walk the walk of a Christian. We walk the way of life: not the way of death. It is only in Jesus Christ that we find life. There is no other way to heaven no matter who tells you otherwise because God said it! Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6. Think about this a moment now…Jesus said I am the way! He didn’t say He would show you the way. There are many who will find at the end of their road of life that they walked on the wrong road and there will be no way to take another path. Jesus spoke of a narrow road and a wide road. Many walk on that wide road which in the end is the way of death. (Read Matthew 7:13)
We, as Christians know who we follow and why we follow Him. We also know the end of the book. We can rest in that knowing that when we stay the course no matter how bumpy the road we will cross the finish line. God’s peace fills us. He said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world give” John 14:27. What the world offers as peace is not what God offers as peace.
Many (Most) have been through some really hard things in life. Yet, when we give our life and humble our self before the Lord we find peace in the midst of the storms. God will help put the pieces back together…not always as we think, but always perfect.
The way of life is also the way of purity. Matthew 5:8 says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” It really doesn’t matter if a billion people think you are an awesome person…it is what God thinks that matters.
When we go to God and ask Him into our life/heart and repent and confess our sins…HE WILL FORGIVE US. When we come to know and love God it doesn’t make more pure than others. God doesn’t play favorites. We are His or we are not His. Jesus says to love others. “By this all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” “ We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers.” John 13:35, 1 John 3:14
What is love? It is when we want the very best for someone no matter what it may cost us.
The way of life is the way of obedience. We can’t serve two masters. Jesus is the only one we can serve if He is our Lord and Savior. God first, then spouse, family, others. God always has an order to things and he doesn’t change. When we are His servants then we wait for whatever He wants to tell us and we do whatever He gives us to do. Jesus is Lord and King because He made us. He gave His own earthly life for us. He always, always, looks at what we can become in and through Him.
Eternal life….those that are real Christians will make it to the end of the race…sooner or later. We are not promised tomorrow on this earth but true Christians are promised eternal life. John 10:10 says, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” God wants us full of life in Him. Our eternal life is just that if we are His children. It will be marvelous beyond words. Jesus said He gives His own eternal life. If you are His that is better than anything and everything on this earth. He also said we would not perish. When our earthly life ends, and it will, unless Jesus returns first…it is not the end but the beginning of eternity. 1. I give them eternal life. 2. They shall never perish. 3. No one can snatch them out of My hand.
When we become a real Christian we discover that these things are totally true and will not change. “He who has the Son has life.” 1 John 5:12 What is eternal life? One way to look at it is “if” you have Jesus in your heart you have life eternal.
When we really become a Christian we become God’s child. How awesome is that one? Now if you are one of the people that believe that all God’s creation is His children…are they? What does the Bible really say about this. The Bible tells us that God is the Creator of all people but not the Father of all people. Many people don’t even want him to be their Father. John 3:3 says, Unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” When you and I are born we are born into a family. Might be a great family and might be a lousy one. Might have great parents or no parents at all. Physical birth does not make us a child of the living God. To become a child of God Almighty you must have a spiritual birth. This happens when we repent of our sins and put our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Each year we are on this earth we have an earthly birthday, but…our spiritual is way different. We make a choice as to whom we will serve. We make the decision and no one can do it for us no matter what some might tell you. It is your choice if you serve God or do not serve God. If you choose to serve God then you enter into your spiritual birth. John 1:12 says, “To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” READ THAT A FEW TIMES! This is not automatic!
Listen carefully here please: No matter what you have done…no matter how bad you might have been God will forgive you when you ask Him into your life and repent/change your direction. That does not mean you won’t make mistakes and fall…but you keep a short list with God and go to Him and ask Him to forgive you. Jesus died to receive the punishment that you and I deserve for our sins. He did it willingly. Our past is past and it doesn’t matter if others forgive us or want us in their life…what matters is what God sees and wants. We can’t make people love us or forgive us, but if and when we become children of God He will forgive us and it is His forgiveness that takes us across that goal line.
You must admit you are a sinner. We are all sinners. No one, but Jesus…is perfect that has walked this earth. Our sins separate us from God, but when we ask God into our life and repent He takes up residence inside us. Do you ever go to God and really tell Him (what He knows about you anyway) that you are guilty of such and such sins? Do you tell Him all the things that you know that hurt Him such as pride, greed, immorality, selfishness and so on and so forth? Do you take it to Him and put it at His feet in humble prayer? Romans 3:23 says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” So…that is your sins and my sins…we have all sinned. You must believe what God has done for you on the cross. The cross is powerful. Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God…1 Peter 3:18…but if you don’t want to be there He won’t force you to accept Him. That is what a loving Father He is.
Jesus died on the cross. It was a horrible death that each and everyone of us deserved. Every strip He got was meant for us. He loved us and took them so that He could conquer death and make us free. Without the cross there would be no hope for us. We were guilty of sin…even the ones we still will do and we deserved death for them, but he took our place that day and took our sentence. That is love!
Being a real Christian doesn’t mean we understand everything. We do, however, know who to run to when we sin so that our heavenly Father can deal with our sin and when we repent He forgives. This, however, does not give us a license to sin. It gives us a way to be forgiven if we do fall into sin.
Jesus is Lord of my life and I confess that to you and to whomever might ever read this. He is my Lord and Savior and I will not deny Him. I don’t have all the answers and neither do you, but what we have when we accept Jesus as our Lord and savior is the greatest gift ever. How or what is it to experience God? The Bible says, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Romans 10:9-10
If you want what Jesus has to offer now is the time. As I say many times over we do not know how long we have on this earth. We need a relationship with the Lord right now. Tomorrow could be to late for some. So I encourage you to pray this prayer and ask the Lord into your life.
Heavenly Father, I want to be a real Christian. I realized that my sins have separated me from you. Please forgive me. I believe in what Christ did for me on the cross. I don’t completely understand it all, but I accept it by faith. I do want to be a child of Yours. Please come into my life, Lord Jesus, and make me your child right now. I want to follow you and obey you forever. Please help me be a real Christian and walk with you all the days of my life. Amen
Did you pray the prayer and receive the Lord Jesus as your savior because you chose to do so? If so, then you need to know that this was the most important decision you could ever make. If you did this then you are now part of the family of God. That was the simple part. You belong to the Lord Jesus. But know this also that He has not promised you a rose garden with no problems in this life. We will have problems while on this earth. We don’t belong to this world and our home is heaven.
Listen also…church won’t save you. Jesus is who and what saves you. You can sit in that pew hour after after looking holy and not be. You need a real relationship with the Lord. This is your part. When hard times come don’t turn your back on the Lord…He will help you through them, but He didn’t promise you wouldn’t have problems…quite the opposite. Church is wonderful and many are right on speaking the absolute word of God, but there are some that are not preaching the uncompromised word of God. Any pastor or teacher who tells you that things God says is wrong is now okay…is deceiving you. God never changes. You will know the truth if you get into the word of God and allow God to touch your soul with the truth. Pray, study, do for God whatever He requires and be that person who let’s their gift God gave them be used to glorify God and not yourself or others. God gets all the glory and praise. Any other way is not of God.
So now if you prayed that simple prayer and asked God into your life… “WELCOME TO THE FAMILY OF GOD!”
How many people today feel that they are a “real true” Christian and are so far from this that they don’t even realize they are headed the wrong direction. It is God that gives the definition of a real Christian not man. Many think that because they were born in a Christian family that it automatically makes them a Christian. I was born in a Christian nation so I am surely a Christian and not a heathen. It doesn’t matter where you are born…that does not make you a Christian.
There are those that think if they but think good thoughts why that makes them a Christian. They are good people. They don’t go around hurting anyone after all. Nope, that does not make one a Christian either. I can live in a car but that won’t make me a car. Just because we are nice and do nice things for others, in and of itself, does not make us a Christian. Many atheists live a decent life but that does not in any way make them a Christian either. You see God sees what we are way different than we might see our self or others. His measure is not our measure. God uses the Lord Jesus as His measuring stick if we need a name to call it. Jesus knew no sin. He died for our sin. He was, is, and will always be perfect. He is what we get measured by. The world has a lot of what, we living on earth, would call good people. So if being what humans call others good could get them into heaven there would be a lot of people on the list to go there. The very fact that Jesus had to come to die on the cross to make our forgiveness possible shows that goodness doesn’t make someone a Christian.
So what about the fact that many of you go to church every time the church doors are open? Do you think that makes you a Christian? Many go to church for all the wrong reasons…but God knows their heart and while they are going to church God can do a great work in them. The fact they sit in a church and look all Christ like while there doesn’t make them a Christian.
Most so called Christians do give to others. Many have little and that little they give is more, at times, than the richest of the rich giving something when they give it with a bad heart or motive. Think of it this way a moment and ponder on it…you can give all you have away for what you think are the right reasons even, but if God is not your Lord and Savior then no matter how much you give away to even help many less fortunate than you…it doesn’t mean you are a Christian.
Taking communion to some means that they believe they are a Christian. Yes, many were baptized, go to church and even take communion but God sees the heart and knows why you take it. Some take communion and don’t even know what it represents or why they themselves take it. Baptism and communion are biblical. They are wonderful and awesome things, but receiving either one doesn’t mean you are a Christian.
Believing in God why that makes you a Christian right? No, not necessarily. I won’t say much here except even the demons believe in who Jesus/God is and the devil knows the word of God. That does not make them/him a Christian. Think about that one!
Talking about Jesus makes one a Christian! Really? Nope! You are not a Christian just because you talk about God. Many do this and don’t love the Lord at all. Some distort the truth of the word to fit whatever it is that they want someone to think and believe in.
Prayer makes you a Christian. No! Most religions pray to whatever they call their god and that won’t make them a Christian. Praying, in and of itself, will not and does not make you a Christian.
Reading scripture will make you a Christian. No. Many who read the Bible do not do so because they love the Lord with all their heart, mind, and soul. Some just want to tear the Bible apart or make it say whatever it is they want to tell you about…they twist the truth. Reading the Bible is powerful for the Christian, and it is also a means to show others the Lord Jesus…but just to say you read the bible makes you a Christian it does not.
So what in the world makes you a Christian? There are a lot of things that help on this one but I am only going to mention a few. You must walk the walk of a Christian. We walk the way of life: not the way of death. It is only in Jesus Christ that we find life. There is no other way to heaven no matter who tells you otherwise because God said it! Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6. Think about this a moment now…Jesus said I am the way! He didn’t say He would show you the way. There are many who will find at the end of their road of life that they walked on the wrong road and there will be no way to take another path. Jesus spoke of a narrow road and a wide road. Many walk on that wide road which in the end is the way of death. (Read Matthew 7:13)
We, as Christians know who we follow and why we follow Him. We also know the end of the book. We can rest in that knowing that when we stay the course no matter how bumpy the road we will cross the finish line. God’s peace fills us. He said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world give” John 14:27. What the world offers as peace is not what God offers as peace.
Many (Most) have been through some really hard things in life. Yet, when we give our life and humble our self before the Lord we find peace in the midst of the storms. God will help put the pieces back together…not always as we think, but always perfect.
The way of life is also the way of purity. Matthew 5:8 says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” It really doesn’t matter if a billion people think you are an awesome person…it is what God thinks that matters.
When we go to God and ask Him into our life/heart and repent and confess our sins…HE WILL FORGIVE US. When we come to know and love God it doesn’t make more pure than others. God doesn’t play favorites. We are His or we are not His. Jesus says to love others. “By this all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” “ We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers.” John 13:35, 1 John 3:14
What is love? It is when we want the very best for someone no matter what it may cost us.
The way of life is the way of obedience. We can’t serve two masters. Jesus is the only one we can serve if He is our Lord and Savior. God first, then spouse, family, others. God always has an order to things and he doesn’t change. When we are His servants then we wait for whatever He wants to tell us and we do whatever He gives us to do. Jesus is Lord and King because He made us. He gave His own earthly life for us. He always, always, looks at what we can become in and through Him.
Eternal life….those that are real Christians will make it to the end of the race…sooner or later. We are not promised tomorrow on this earth but true Christians are promised eternal life. John 10:10 says, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” God wants us full of life in Him. Our eternal life is just that if we are His children. It will be marvelous beyond words. Jesus said He gives His own eternal life. If you are His that is better than anything and everything on this earth. He also said we would not perish. When our earthly life ends, and it will, unless Jesus returns first…it is not the end but the beginning of eternity. 1. I give them eternal life. 2. They shall never perish. 3. No one can snatch them out of My hand.
When we become a real Christian we discover that these things are totally true and will not change. “He who has the Son has life.” 1 John 5:12 What is eternal life? One way to look at it is “if” you have Jesus in your heart you have life eternal.
When we really become a Christian we become God’s child. How awesome is that one? Now if you are one of the people that believe that all God’s creation is His children…are they? What does the Bible really say about this. The Bible tells us that God is the Creator of all people but not the Father of all people. Many people don’t even want him to be their Father. John 3:3 says, Unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” When you and I are born we are born into a family. Might be a great family and might be a lousy one. Might have great parents or no parents at all. Physical birth does not make us a child of the living God. To become a child of God Almighty you must have a spiritual birth. This happens when we repent of our sins and put our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Each year we are on this earth we have an earthly birthday, but…our spiritual is way different. We make a choice as to whom we will serve. We make the decision and no one can do it for us no matter what some might tell you. It is your choice if you serve God or do not serve God. If you choose to serve God then you enter into your spiritual birth. John 1:12 says, “To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” READ THAT A FEW TIMES! This is not automatic!
Listen carefully here please: No matter what you have done…no matter how bad you might have been God will forgive you when you ask Him into your life and repent/change your direction. That does not mean you won’t make mistakes and fall…but you keep a short list with God and go to Him and ask Him to forgive you. Jesus died to receive the punishment that you and I deserve for our sins. He did it willingly. Our past is past and it doesn’t matter if others forgive us or want us in their life…what matters is what God sees and wants. We can’t make people love us or forgive us, but if and when we become children of God He will forgive us and it is His forgiveness that takes us across that goal line.
You must admit you are a sinner. We are all sinners. No one, but Jesus…is perfect that has walked this earth. Our sins separate us from God, but when we ask God into our life and repent He takes up residence inside us. Do you ever go to God and really tell Him (what He knows about you anyway) that you are guilty of such and such sins? Do you tell Him all the things that you know that hurt Him such as pride, greed, immorality, selfishness and so on and so forth? Do you take it to Him and put it at His feet in humble prayer? Romans 3:23 says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” So…that is your sins and my sins…we have all sinned. You must believe what God has done for you on the cross. The cross is powerful. Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God…1 Peter 3:18…but if you don’t want to be there He won’t force you to accept Him. That is what a loving Father He is.
Jesus died on the cross. It was a horrible death that each and everyone of us deserved. Every strip He got was meant for us. He loved us and took them so that He could conquer death and make us free. Without the cross there would be no hope for us. We were guilty of sin…even the ones we still will do and we deserved death for them, but he took our place that day and took our sentence. That is love!
Being a real Christian doesn’t mean we understand everything. We do, however, know who to run to when we sin so that our heavenly Father can deal with our sin and when we repent He forgives. This, however, does not give us a license to sin. It gives us a way to be forgiven if we do fall into sin.
Jesus is Lord of my life and I confess that to you and to whomever might ever read this. He is my Lord and Savior and I will not deny Him. I don’t have all the answers and neither do you, but what we have when we accept Jesus as our Lord and savior is the greatest gift ever. How or what is it to experience God? The Bible says, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Romans 10:9-10
If you want what Jesus has to offer now is the time. As I say many times over we do not know how long we have on this earth. We need a relationship with the Lord right now. Tomorrow could be to late for some. So I encourage you to pray this prayer and ask the Lord into your life.
Heavenly Father, I want to be a real Christian. I realized that my sins have separated me from you. Please forgive me. I believe in what Christ did for me on the cross. I don’t completely understand it all, but I accept it by faith. I do want to be a child of Yours. Please come into my life, Lord Jesus, and make me your child right now. I want to follow you and obey you forever. Please help me be a real Christian and walk with you all the days of my life. Amen
Did you pray the prayer and receive the Lord Jesus as your savior because you chose to do so? If so, then you need to know that this was the most important decision you could ever make. If you did this then you are now part of the family of God. That was the simple part. You belong to the Lord Jesus. But know this also that He has not promised you a rose garden with no problems in this life. We will have problems while on this earth. We don’t belong to this world and our home is heaven.
Listen also…church won’t save you. Jesus is who and what saves you. You can sit in that pew hour after after looking holy and not be. You need a real relationship with the Lord. This is your part. When hard times come don’t turn your back on the Lord…He will help you through them, but He didn’t promise you wouldn’t have problems…quite the opposite. Church is wonderful and many are right on speaking the absolute word of God, but there are some that are not preaching the uncompromised word of God. Any pastor or teacher who tells you that things God says is wrong is now okay…is deceiving you. God never changes. You will know the truth if you get into the word of God and allow God to touch your soul with the truth. Pray, study, do for God whatever He requires and be that person who let’s their gift God gave them be used to glorify God and not yourself or others. God gets all the glory and praise. Any other way is not of God.
So now if you prayed that simple prayer and asked God into your life… “WELCOME TO THE FAMILY OF GOD!”