RubyCouture106
What Is A True Christian
It's a question that is asked frequently. Exactly what is a Christian? Together with it are many other questions. Exactly what does it mean to be a Christian? What defines a Christian? Why is Christians not the same as individuals who aren't Christians? How can I tell if someone is a Christian? How does it benefit me to be a Christian? These are merely few of the questions people ask regarding Christianity. Statistics reveal that about 33% of the world's population identify themselves as Christians. As a child, my parents were Catholics. So of course I visited the Catholic mass every week. When people would ask about my religion, without hesitation I'd identify myself as Catholic.
Same with it that easy? If you were born and raised in Indiana, you'd be considered a "Hoosier." So, in case your parents were Christian and you grew up inside a Christian Church, does that make you a Christian? Christianity, however, isn't that simple. But who likes simple anyway? I was born and raised in Indiana which makes us a Hoosier, plain and simple. But, how does that basically fact profit me as a individual, like a husband, like a brother, like a worker, etc.? I was raised in the Catholic Church and identified myself as a Catholic, basically. But, how did that plain and simple fact benefit me as I continued to grow from my adolescence into adulthood? If you inquired about what I learned from likely to mass, sadly not really a good deal. The reason why is just because my heart wasn't into it. Deep inside of me, there wasn't a desire to learn anything. Are you aware what it really means to be a Hoosier besides being someone that's from Indiana?
As being a Christian isn't something that's inherited. It's not something you feel by association. It isn't even about religion. It's something you become. Being a Christian is really a choice, a conscious choice. A true Christian is a person who not just believes in Jesus because the only begotten Son of God, but a person who willingly exemplifies in the or her life the teachings of Jesus Christ. This individual determines in their heart to see the Bible, study the life and behavior of Jesus and emulates it in their own individual life. They don't try to alter the words of the Bible to make it attract them, but they let the words of the Bible change them, so they can appeal to God. The important thing word there's "change." The life span of a true Christian will invariably exhibit change.
So, if a person identifies themselves like a Christian plus they haven't even read one of the Gospels in its entirety, do you consider they can truly tell you they are a Christian? If one from the determining factors to be a Christian is exemplifying the life span of Jesus through his word, how can you fully realize that which you don't read? What if you don't apply that which you read to your life? Let's say you know the Bible says to love your neighbor as yourself, but you will find people you hate and should not stand? Should you still identify yourself as a Christian? What about when the word says to not commit adultery, however, you call your Christian while sleeping around? The Bible answers these questions effortlessly in Matthew 7:20 which says; "By their fruits, you will know them." So if you know the word and what it really says about morals and behavior, you can tell the ones won't be and who's truly a Christian.
No one can take credit for being a Christian. Nor can anyone self-proclaim themselves like a Christian. The Bible proves this in John 15:16 when Jesus said, "You haven't chosen me, but I have selected you... " Within the natural, there's no reason behind one to accept Jesus and alter their lives to reflect His. This is because many of us are born separated from God with a sinful nature. This makes us naturally rebellious towards God and something that has to do with Him. What happens when we start impending to God is that His Holy Spirit is birthing those desires in our hearts, supernaturally. He ultimately leaves the choice to us of whether you want to draw closer or farther away. If we draw closer and receive Jesus into our hearts by confessing Him as our Lord and Savior, at that moment we are indwelt with the Holy Spirit and immediately "born again" from the sinful nature and in to the nature of God. Once more, this occurs supernaturally, so within the natural, we do not feel it or perceive it yet.
To someone who is truly serious about letting Jesus change them; this new nature should create a new lifestyle, a new way of thinking, a different way of talking along with a new way of acting. This individual reads the Bible, the Holy Spirit blesses her or him with discernment and that he or she applies the things they learn how to their lives. This is an ongoing process. Then when the Bible says do not commit adultery, we obey and be faithful spouses. Once the bible says forgive as God in Christ forgave us, we obey and no longer hold grudges. We obey the term if this says to put off anger, wrath, blasphemy, and filthy communication out of our mouths. When the Bible says don't lie to one another, we obey and be honest. Implementing the word within our daily lives will bring us true peace that passes understanding. It'll make us better husbands, wives, better mothers, fathers, better children, better friends, etc. God also promises countless blessings such as healing, overall total life prosperity, victory within the problems of this world and much more! The evidence of us being Christian will not be so much in that we declare it, however in our actions and the way we live day by day!
