In some parts of the world, being a Christian is acceptable and has a positive connotation; but in other parts of the world, being a Christian is not acceptable and people are persecuted for it. Thankfully, in the US, we currently have freedom of speech and don’t fear referring to ourselves as a Christian. However, being a Christian in today’s modern world has lost its some of its meaning; many think, if I say I believe in Jesus, I’m saved. (But don’t forget, even the demons in the bible believed in God, and you probably know they won’t be in eternal life with God.) Therefore making it to Heaven by believing in Jesus, including his death, resurrection and ascension (faith) is part of the truth, but not the whole truth.
Throughout this article, links to verses from the bible are provided, supporting the statements made.
Many may not know, or never paid attention to the next part: faith without action is dead, or they never heard Jesus’ talk about the wide gate and the narrow gate. I was one of those people who thought believing in Jesus and being a “good” person was enough. But being “good” is not enough, and no person is “good”, only God is “good” – Jesus said that. We can’t get to Heaven just by being “good” because we would never be that good to be in God’s presence. Jesus was the sacrifice, God’s gift to us that makes this possible, but throughout the Bible, we are told to be obedient and change our ways. I didn’t fully comprehend what this meant for many years, so it made me think: maybe there are more people like me who are not fully aware of this either?
The word “Christian” is used very casually today, many of us calling ourselves Christians/Believers, but not acting like Christians/Believers (aka “Fake Christians”). “Fake Christians” give practicing Christians a bad reputation to those who don’t believe anything or follow a different religion. I say practicing Christians because let’s face it, no one is or will ever be the perfect Christian and that is why God sent Jesus as THE sacrifice for all of us who call ourselves Christians. I write this for an awareness most importantly because knowing this affects our eternal life/salvation promised by God. Knowing if we will make it has been so diluted by so many religious authority figures, in an effort to become “politically correct,” it concerns me, especially when it comes to the question: “Will I make it to God’s promised eternal life?” this subject becomes important for every single one of us on earth.
So what is a true Christian, a true believer? A follower of Christ. What does it mean to be a follower of Christ, a believer? If we believe what Jesus taught when He was here then he told us what we need to do. He didn’t just say “believe,” in His first teachings He told people to “repent.” So being a “believer/Christian” means doing a lot of things, such as:
- Choose God as the priority in life over EVERYTHING
- Accepting and obeying God’s commands even if it isn’t what we want
- Not using God’s name in a disrespectful way
- Not judging others – discernment and judging are similar, but slightly different in an important way: knowing right from wrong is something Christians are supposed to understand, but when it comes to making a judgement about other people or other Christians, this is not what Christians are supposed to do. Jesus only came to save people and give us an example of how to live; he didn’t come to judge. Judgement comes later on and it’s not the job of any of us, however Christians are not supposed to associate with those who claim to be Christians but do not act like Christians.
- Not punishing others– being Christlike means not punishing others even when it feels like justice; that again is God’s authority, not ours.
- Not having anxiety– if you have anxiety, you are not trusting God
- Not having pride – pride is putting ourselves on a pedestal, it’s a form of self idolatry and not a Christian behavior, unless credit is given to God; Christians should be humble
- Using words to build up others, not tear them down, no gossip
- Accepting suffering without rejecting God because of the suffering endured; often it is a test of faith when suffering arrives, know that suffering can make us better people if we don’t reject God in the process. God’s strength will help true Christians endure.
- A Christian’s actions should be drawing others closer to God
- exhibiting joy
- being peaceful
- being kind and loving
- being faithful
- maintaining self-control
- being quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry
- respecting parents
- dedicating weekly time with God and praying continually
- not saying hurtful things to others or saying or doing anything to harm another person
- not taking things, ideas, words, etc. without permission from others
- not lying or manipulating others with false information
- not having sex with someone outside of marriage
- not being sexually immoral
- not being envious of what others have or own
- not desiring someone who is married to someone else, or anyone else, when married
- not getting drunk, the bible doesn’t say people can’t drink alcohol, but it does tell us not to get drunk
- acknowledging that we are naturally sinful, but rejecting that lifestyle then working daily to live differently
- getting baptized
- not having a life goal of accumulating wealth, serving others instead
- giving up our personal desires that don’t line up with God’s commands (taking up our cross)
So after reading this above, it’s probably pretty easy to see that being a Christian isn’t easy or effortless. But it’s also important to not become discouraged, to know that no one will be perfect; it’s the true intention we have that matters to God. That’s why regular prayers and connecting with God is important. And correcting our mistakes as soon as we realize we made one.
Studying the bible showed me I had a lot of work to do. It’s much easier to say we are all saved by grace and we don’t have to do anything else…but I don’t believe that is the full Truth: we have a choice, an obligation, and a commitment to make.
We have to have a relationship with God, if we don’t we may hear Jesus say to us: “I never knew you.” The other important part to know is that only one sin is unforgivable: blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, but no other sin is too bad for God to forgive. He willingly forgives and encourages us to do the same with each other, when someone asks for our forgiveness. It’s never too late and it’s what God wants: a relationship with us in eternity.
S.A.I.L. 