" Are YOU a Christian ? "

 

How long have you been a Christian ?

     You may have a time you think of as a reference point for when you became a Christian. You may say, "I have been a Christian all of my life. I was born a Christian."

Really, how did you become a Christian ?

     You may say, "I try to keep the Ten Commandments and do the best I can." Some people say, "I became a Christian when I got water baptized." Others say, "I was born into a Christian family."

How does someone become a Christian ?

     If someone could become a Christian by being born into a Christian family, by keeping the Ten Commandments, or by being water baptized, we need to ask ourselves a very important question: Why then did JESUS have to come to Earth and die on the cross ? My Friend, the Bible has the answer !

     "...if righteousness come by the Law, then CHRIST is dead in vain." (Galatians 2:21). JESUS had to suffer and die on the cross, because none of these things can make us Christians. The Bible states in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of GOD: NOT of works, lest any man should boast." A work is anything that man does to secure his salvation. Being water baptized cannot make anyone a Christian.

     Eli, the Hight Priest, had sons that GOD called the sons of Belial or the sons of the Devil. Adam and Eve admitted they were sinners and placed their faith in GOD. They had two sons born into their family, Cain and Abel. Cain was rejected by GOD. This shows us that just being born into a family that believes in GOD is not enough.

     The Bible also says in Galatians 3:11, "But that no man is justified by the Law in the sight of GOD...", so we can see that no one can become a Christian by keeping the Ten Commandments.

     We know that no one has ever been born a Christian through a physical birth, because JESUS said in John 3:3, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of GOD." Our response should be like the Philippian jailer, "What must I do to be saved ?"

     JESUS said in Mark 1:15, "...repent ye, and believe the Gospel." Repentance is a turning to GOD from our sin and the Gospel is simply stated in 1st.Corinthians 15:1-2a,3-4 "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved,..For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that CHRIST died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that HE was buried, and that HE rose again the third day according to the Scriptures:" The Gospel can be explained like this: Because we are all children of Adam, we are all sinners. "Wherefore, as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for all have sinned:" (Romans 5:12). Whether we like it or not, we are separated from a Holy GOD because of our sin.

     In Romans 5:8 GOD says, "But GOD commendeth HIS love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us." JESUS paid the price for our sins. HE died and shed HIS blood in our place. GOD says if we will admit that we are sinners, believe that JESUS paid for our sins with HIS own blood, and receive HIM by faith, HE will give us eternal life. Romans 10:9-10,13 states, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the LORD JESUS, and shalt believe in thine heart that GOD hath raised HIM from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. . .For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved."

     Will you agree with GOD that you need to be saved and receive JESUS CHRIST as your personal LORD and SAVIOR right now ? If you would be willing to turn to CHRIST in repentance and faith, pray this simple prayer of salvation:

LORD, I know that I am a sinner, and I believe that YOU died and rose again for me. I am trusting YOU to forgive me. Come into my heart and save me. Help me to live for YOU always. In JESUS' name I pray, AMEN.

     JESUS said in John 5:24, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth MY WORD, and believeth on HIM that sent ME, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."  I hope that this clears up the question: Are YOU a Christian ?

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie