What is a Christian?

A Christian is someone who has discovered:
GOD's PLAN — THE RELATIONSHIP

People were created to share with God in a direct, vital and intimate relationship. The Bible speaks of that relationship as being like the closeness shared by a loving Father and a beloved child.

The Bible says:

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

Jesus prayed:

"Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent" (John 17:3).

"For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry 'Abba (Daddy), Father'. The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children" (Romans 8:15,16).

SINCE GOD PLANNED FOR US TO HAVE A DIRECT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, WHY ARE SO MANY PEOPLE NOT EXPERIENCING THIS?

A Christian is someone who has acknowledged:
OUR PROBLEM — SEPARATION

God created people in God's own presence so they would share constant intimacy with God. However, instead of forcing people to love God like robots acting on command, God gave us the choice to love or to reject God.

We chose to reject God as God, and chose instead to live life independent of God. People still make that choice today. Such a choice for independence, the Bible calls sin. This sin results in SEPARATION from God.

The Bible says:

"For all have sinned (rejected God) and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

"For the wages of sin is death (separation from God)..." (Romans 6:23a).

Having rejected and rebelled against God, all people were doomed to live and die separated from God... separated by choice andseparated by the guilt they brought on themselves. People through the ages have tried to bridge the gap in many ways... without success.

THERE IS ONLY ONE REMEDY FOR THIS PROBLEM OF SEPARATION.

A Christian is a person who has discovered:
GOD'S REMEDY — THE CROSS

Jesus came to earth to teach us about God, to free us from our sin and to bridge the gap between us an God. By dying on the cross, Jesus suffered the death penalty we deserved, thereby freeing us from sin's guilt. When he was raised from the dead, He overcame death for us, providing eternal life for us. He returned to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit into the lives of all believers, forever making God's presence available to people. God could now live in the hearts and lives of all Christians.

"For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (I Timothy 2:5).

The Bible says:

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me'" (John 14:6).

GOD HAS PROVIDED THE ONLY WAY ... WE MUST MAKE A CHOICE.

A Christian is a person who has responded to God's invitation:
OUR CHOICE — RECEIVE CHRIST

We must enter into the new relationship with God by receiving Christ's forgiveness and by welcoming the Holy Spirit into our hearts.

The Bible says:

"If we claim to be without sin, we deceived ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:8,9).

Jesus says: "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in" (Revelation 3:20).

"And with that He (Jesus) breathed on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit'" (John 20:22).

"Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become the children of God" (John 1:12).

What Then is a Christian?

A person who has discovered God's desire for a personal relationship.

A person who has realized his/her own need for God.

A person who has confessed her dependence on God.

A person who has accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

A person who has welcomed God's presence, the Holy Spirit, into his heart.

A person who has become a child of God.

A person who enjoys the privilege of knowing God.

A person who will go to heaven and live with God forever.

What Does a Christian Do?

As with any human relationship, it takes effort to get to know God better and to love God more intimately. Getting to know God better is much like getting to know people better.

We grow close to God by talking to God in prayer.

We learn more about God by reading about God in the Bible.

We draw more intimate with God by worshipping with other Christians.

We discover more about God by studying and learning from pastors, church leaders and fellow Christians.

We share the great news of our experience in Christ by telling others about our new found love relationship with God.

We serve God by uniting to and getting involved with a local church of fellow Christians.

©Copyright Jack Haberer 1990
All scripture quotations are take from the New International Version Bible, used with permission.