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What is a Christian?
We hear the word "Christian" being tossed around by athletes, actors and politicians as well as countless average men, women, boys and girls. It has been overused, misused, and abused until the true meaning of the word "Christian" has been lost. We've come to a place and time when many people no longer even know what being a Christian means anymore. They just name it and claim it, with no regard for what it really is.
So what is a Christian? I can tell you one thing that is not. It's not a religion. A religion is defined in the Webster's Dictionary as "an organized system of beliefs, rites and celebrations centered on a supernatural being power; belief pursued with devotion." Note that it says a supernatural being power--any supernatural being power. And the last part read a belief pursued with devotion. That means a religion can be a belief in anything or any supernatural being that includes an organized system of traditions and habits. Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, among others, are all religions. Christianity is not and should not be a ritual or process for how we live.
Then what is a Christian? Let's use the Webster's Dictionary again. A Christian is "a believer and follower of the teachings of Jesus." A believer of Jesus Christ, hence the name Christian. However, everyone who believes in God and His Son are not Christians. Just because one calls themselves a Christian does not make them one. A Christian follows the teachings of Jesus, does not just believe it.
So who is a Christian? Not the celebrities who believe that God exists but continue to live their life of lust and sin. Not the popular politicians who claim it but support and promote ungodliness and immorality.
A Christian is someone who:
Believes and professes that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died for the sins of the world and rose again.
Admits that he/she is a sinner and confesses those sins to Him.
Asks for forgiveness and requests that Jesus will dwell in his/her heart and show them how to live a life pleasing to Him.
Being a Christian encompasses all of these, not just part of it. So many people believe in God, believe that Jesus existed and died on a cross. But they stop there. A Christian is someone who lives his life daily for Christ. Not just when no one is watching, and not just when everyone is watching. Daily, at every moment. A Christian loves Jesus more than their own lives and their comfortable or high-society lifestyles. A Christian gives up those things that do not please God. A Christian simply lives the way God wants him to.
In this new year of 2009, my prayer is that true Christians will raise the standard and show the world what it means to be a Christian. Let's stand up for Christ by proclaiming real Christianity. It's time we give those people who do not know what the word really means to learn the truth.
If you are one of those who wish to take this word seriously and become a Christian, you are on the right track! Please visit my Pure Gospel page if you need help making that prayer. This is the most important decisions you will ever make in your life. Do not take it lightly. I hope you will follow the simple steps and let Jesus into your life.
I leave you with this song:
It's time to stand up and be counted as one of the chosen few. Don't ever be ashamed to call His name, whenever you feel the need to. At work, at school, at everything we do, just remember those nail-scarred hands. If you're ever gonna stand for Jesus, it's time to stand.
Short story by Crystal Grant
Maria and Lucy grew up together. They had been best friends from the time they were very young, sharing everything from secrets to dreams to clothes. They loved each other deeply and promised to be friends forever.
As time moved on, however, Lucy began drifting away from her childhood friend. She found herself drawn by more “exciting” activities and did not have time to nurture the longtime friendship. During the weekends, she could be found at the wildest of parties, taking part in destructive acts just for the fun. She smoked until her lungs became shrunken and raspy; she partook of alcoholic beverages until her eyes lost their youthful shine and became bloodshot; she used dangerous substances until she was seldom in her rational mind. Improper relations with men became an obsession for her, and she was known and hated in her small town for stealing, lying, cheating. Her friends had all left her, for she delighted in tormenting and betraying them. The happy, innocent girl had become a useless, despised, dirty member of their society.
Through all this, her faithful friend, Maria, watched, heartbroken at Lucy’s terrible state of mind, body, and soul. Even though Lucy had rejected her long ago, Maria stayed her most loyal friend, helping her many times when Lucy was sick, lonely, or depressed. Lucy would willingly accept the help at those times, and then promptly go back to her detrimental way of life, often laughing at Maria’s meekness. Maria was aware that Lucy was just using her when she needed her, and it hurt every time, but she refused to forsake Lucy. Every year that passed by, she prayed daily that Lucy would be restored.
Finally, the small moral town they lived in grew fed up with Lucy’s sinful life. They were accusing her of an unforgivably wicked act, and would sentence her accordingly. Maria stood back, her heart heavy for her longtime friend. She had no idea what the wrong act was that Lucy was being accused of, but judging from her slumped shoulders and pale face, Maria could see that Lucy was well aware of the fact that her sinful life had finally caught up with her.
Maria felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to look up into the gentle eyes of her son, Joshua. Dear Joshua. He knew that in this troubling time, she needed his comforting presence.
There was no one in the town who did not appreciate this man’s thoughtfulness and compassion. He spent many hours helping those in need, running errands for the elderly, spending time with the sick, even playing with lonely children. He even took in stray and frightened animals, giving them a loving home. His comforting voice, sympathetic eyes, and gentle hands did much to lift a broken spirit. Indeed, Joshua had devoted much of his efforts doing what he could to mend fences, mend wounds, and mend hearts. No one could ever accuse Joshua of doing an unkind or immoral act. He was good all the time.
Of course, Joshua knew of his mother’s troubled relationship with Lucy, and spent much time helping. He made repairs on Lucy’s broken down home, tended her lawn, kept a supply of firewood at her reach, all the while talking with her of a better life. Lucy seemed to scorn him more than she did anyone else, often screaming curses at him. He never lost his patience, but her refusal of his message disturbed him greatly. He joined Maria in prayer every day for Lucy’s tattered soul.
Now, Joshua and Maria stood silently and sadly as the elders made their sentence.
“She is guilty of death!”
Lucy covered her face in shame and despair while the crowd jeered and hissed at her. Maria closed her eyes in agony. After all these years, it was too late.
Suddenly, she felt someone brush by her and she opened her eyes. Joshua, her precious son, was moving to the center of the crowd. Everyone grew still as they stared at this unique man. What was he doing?
Joshua raised his soft voice to be heard. “You should not sentence this woman to die for this act.”
“Why ever not?” one of the elders spat in shock, his eyes piercing. It was not like Joshua to argue against those in authority.
Joshua raised his eyes to the sky and took a deep breath. “She is not the one to be punished. You must put the blame for this sin on me.”
Gasps sounded everywhere and angry whispers were heard on every side.
“You?” the elder roared as he came to his feet, his face red.
Joshua’s eyes never faltered. “Yes.”
Maria watched in horror as the entire crowd turned against her son. Lucy was released and rough hands bound Joshua’s, hands that only hours before had tended to scraped knees and squeezed the shoulders of those in need of encouragement. Shouts now filled the air. They had forgotten all that Lucy had done against them as hate filled their beings for the quiet man before them. They cursed and threw stones at him, leaving bruises all over his body. An elder grabbed a large stick lying near by and struck it across Joshua’s face, leaving an angry graze on his gentle countenance. His shirt was torn from his shoulders as hands slapped him over and over. Bright red welts appeared all over him.
Joshua did not fight against the crowd, though he did cry out in pain. He attempted to cover his head with his arms, but cruel men savagely held him still. Beast-like rage filled the people, even the children, as they surrounded him. Joshua was growing noticeably weaker and fell to his knees, at the mercy of his fellow townspeople.
Tears streamed down the face of Joshua’s mother, who was watching helplessly. Her son was dying right in front of her for the sin of another, her friend Lucy. Maria’s entire soul filled with agony over the pain Joshua was experiencing. The crowd had completely thronged him now, kicking at his limp frame and hitting him over the head with anything they could get their hands on. Maria turned away, unable to watch the final moments that would take Joshua’s life.
In a matter of moments, it was over. The crowd began to disperse, their cold-blooded vengeance now appeased. They left Joshua’s broken, lifeless body on the ground.
To the side, watching in shock, stood Lucy. With revulsion, she had witnessed the brutal execution and now she saw Maria approach her dead son, weeping. Lucy stepped near, expecting Maria to turn angry, hate-filled eyes on her. Instead, it was only sorrow that Lucy saw when Maria looked up at her.
“Why did he do it?” Lucy whispered in misery. “He was completely innocent.”
Maria cradled the bloody head, her tears falling freely. “He did it for you, Lucy,” she said softly. “It would have been a terrible fate to die while in sin. He gave you another chance.”
Lucy was speechless as she viewed the pathetic scene of Maria holding her battered son. Soon, the image faded before her eyes, turning into a strange mist and then disappearing. She looked around in confusion. She found herself standing on a hill, with another angry crowd. She turned to see what they were jeering at, her heart gripped with anguish at what she saw.
There were three crosses, a dying man on each. It was to the man in the middle that Lucy’s gaze was drawn. Deep lashes laced his body, and a cruel thorned crown punctured his head. Blood fell in a steady stream from the hands and feet, where large spikes were holding them to the wooden cross.
The man turned his weary head to Lucy.
“Why?” Lucy cried. “Why is this happening?”
“My child,” he said hoarsely, “I am doing this for you.”
“But You are innocent!” Lucy exclaimed.
The man took a ragged breath. “I have to. I want to hold you, abide with you, spend eternity with you, but you are not ready now. I am giving you another chance.”
Lucy shook her head, her vision now blinded by tears. “No!” she screamed, covering her face with her arms. She could not bear it any longer. The image of Joshua’s execution was still too fresh and now this. She could not see or hear anymore. “No!”
Lucy sat upright on her sofa with a small cry, her breath coming in short gasps. She looked around wildly at her small home that she had moved into two years ago, shortly after high school. It was a wreck from the group she had invited over the night before. The smell of alcohol and other substances hung in the air, choking her.
The dream was still heavy on her mind, and she could not shake the gruesome pictures. Seeing Maria’s face with her mental eye, Lucy caught sight of the letter that she had tossed on the table last week. It was from Maria. Lucy felt a sudden intense need to read it now and reached for it. It had been so long since she had spoken with her. For the first time, Lucy felt shame for the way she had treated her friend.
It started out cheerfully, just like Maria. Lucy scanned the contents until something grabbed her attention about halfway down.
So much has been happening in my life, Lucy, and I wish you were here to share it with me. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of you. I still pray for you everyday. I have so much to tell you! The most important is the fact that I got married last year and we’ve just had a beautiful baby! Now I have a wonderful son and I am so happy! His name is Joshua…
Did you know that someone died for you?
….”While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
No one can deny the upheaval that has erupted across the globe. Turmoil, anguish, despair and fear seemed to have taken rein over the countries. One needs only to watch the news to see that this is true. Questions run rampant in our minds. What has the world come to? How is it all going to end? When is it going to get better? Why is all this happening?
Sadly, the madness that we see all around us, the countless murders, the economic breakdowns, the uncertain future, is merely a prelude for what is still to come. People are frighteningly aware of the state of our world, but fail to realize what it all means, to see the significance of all the bad that is happening. This is has already been talked about in the Bible, centuries and centuries before. Doubters may scoff at this, saying that the world is just in a slump, a phase, and that everything is going to get better. But the Bible makes it clear that it won't get better. It will get worse.
God's Word tells us that this is all just the beginning of sorrows. We are hurling towards the final days. How can I be so sure? Let's take a look at some things that have happened recently, and compare them to what the Bible says.
Matthew 24:6-- "...and ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars..."
It doesn't take us long to see where this is happening. Let's list a few.
The war between Afghanistan and Iraq and the U.S. has been going on for several years now. North Korea and Iran are in the process of testing nuclear weapons that can only be used for one purpose: to destroy other nations. And the battle between Israel versus Pakistan is never-ending.
"...and there shall be pestilences..."
Pestilence is defined by Webster as "any contagious disease that is epidemic and usually deadly."
The AIDS virus runs rampant in Africa, India and other countries, killing millions every year. In 2009, the swine flu made its first appearance in Mexico, soon spreading to the U.S. and other countries. More than 149 died in Mexico, while our country lost 15.
"...and earthquakes..."
On May 12, 2008, and earthquake hit Wenchuan County, China, killing more than 68,000 people. Mexico City was hit only recently, in the midst of their swine flu outbreak. Two elderly women suffered heart attacks and died as a result. A tsunami, caused by an underwater earthquake, hit 14 countries in 2004. Whole towns were wiped out and millions of people were left homeless or displaced. Indonesia alone lost 130,736 people. The number of deaths from every country affected totaled more than 184,000. The devastation was felt for years afterward.
Matthew 24:10-- "And then shall many be offended..."
A case went to court in 2009 about a memorial cross in the Mojave desert. Prosecutors are fighting to have the cross removed--a cross in honor of fallen veterans on private property. The claim is that the cross is offensive to others, despite the fact that viewers have to hike a ways to even see it.
Time and again the US coin has been targeted because of the words "In God We Trust." The Pledge of Allegiance offends many because of the statement, "One nation, under God." There are liberal organizations that would like nothing more than to see those faithful words removed.
Matthew 24:12--"...the love of many shall wax cold..."
Earlier this year, a man was formally charged (though not convicted as of yet) with killing his beautiful wife and two precious little boys. On December 9, 2007, a young man made his way to a church parking lot and opened fire, killing eighteen year old Stephanie Works and her sixteen year old sister, Rachel. And there are many more sad stories like this that could be told, but time and space are limited.
These are just a few samples, written in my own clumsy way, of what God has warned us about in His Word. I don't mean to write a message of gloom and doom, but it's important to see the big picture. God is trying to get our attention, to draw us back to Him. Because we are in the final days. Jesus is coming. Are we ready? Are we doing all we can to get friends and family and loved ones saved while we still have time?
This is a trying time for all the God-fearing Christians all over the world. The vast majority are more interested in entertainment, tolerance and self-indulgence than making sure they're living right before God. Maybe this is why standards and beliefs have become molded by the world's influence. They want the best of both worlds: assurance of God's love and a place in Heaven; and lifestyle without restrictions. Many are even looking into, believing, claiming that there is another way into Heaven, another way into God's graces. "Just be a good person," they say. "God is a God of love." "We shouldn't judge." But the fact is, God hasn't changed, and His plan still stands; it doesn't matter if we want to believe it or not. He made a way of salvation through His Son Jesus. He's given us a guide in the Holy Spirit. He's provided us direction through His word, the Bible. End of story.
Too many people or claiming to be Christians, but yet they don't believe in God's plan or His word. They believe they'll go to Heaven, but they've never confessed that Jesus is Lord. Oh, if only they would realize that God's plan os salvation is the only way to Heaven! No one can work their way there, or use their charm or abilities to talk their way inside. It's either all or nothing. You believe Jesus died for our sins, that we are sinners and confess those sins before God, then strive to live according to His Word. Or you have nothing.
With all this in mind, I had a song that sort of came together in my mind one day. Now, I don't claim to be a songwriter. My dad has that gift in the family! But I was thrilled with how the words came together and the meaning behind those words. I hope it touches your heart as well.
It's Him
Verse #1
I've done a lot of good in this world, helped a lot of sweet boys and girls.
Made a big difference I know, touched a lot of sad, hurting souls.
Then I heard an old preacher say, it won't be enough on that day.
Tell me, how could this be, that He won't accept me? That...
Chorus
It's not anything I've done, but it's God's only Son.
It's not knowledge I've known, just the mercy He's shown.
Not my voice or my face, just that amazing grace.
It's not money or fame, but it's calling His name.
Not a song that I sing, but the King of all Kings.
It's not anything I am, it's the blood of the Lamb.
It's not words, it's not works, it's Him.
Verse #2
But I've done so much in my life, eased a lot of heartache and strife.
Stepped in to help a neighbor or two. How can you say that won't do?
That I can't work my way there, that's it's more than deeds or prayers?
Cause He's done met the cost, paid the price on the cross. That...
Chorus
Verse #3
They say that God is all love, there's no need for the blood.
It's enough to do what we can to help our fellow man.
But if it's true what they said, then there's no reason He bled.
There's only one way inside, it's to believe that He died. I know...
Chorus
Bridge
I've been where you are now, believing that somehow
What you've done is enough, but it still takes the blood. Hear me...
Chorus #2
It's not anything you've done, but it's God's only Son.
It's not knowledge you've known, just the mercy He's shown.
Not your voice or your face, just that amazing grace.
It's not money or fame, but it's calling His name.
Not a song that you sing, but the King of all Kings.
No matter what the world claims, it's still the blood of the Lamb.
It's not words, it's not works, It's not power, it's not strenth,
It's not you, it's not me. It's Him. Just Him. It's still Him.