A Christian

A Christian
Piliny the Younger Roman governor of Bithynia in Asia minor writing to Emperor Trajan wrote,
"They were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn to Christ, as to a god, and bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to partake of food--but food of an ordinary and innocent kind..." 
Note that Piliny states that the Christians sung hymns to Christ as to a God. Those early Christians recognized Christ was God.
 Piliny also noted Christians bound themselves by an oath to tell the truth and be honest in all their dealings.
Christians believe Jesus is the Son of God, God incarnate. This is the most basic belief of all Christians. You cannot be a Christian without believing Jesus is God.
Jesus said,
“I and the Father are one”
                                    John 10:30.
Christians have settled in their own hearts and minds who Jesus is. Jesus said,
“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.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. 
                                                                                                                                   John 3:16-18.
Christians believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Saviour of mankind.
They believe the words of the apostle John who said,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” 
                   John 1:12,13.
Christians, true Christians follow the teachings of Jesus who when asked,
 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 
                                                                                   Matthew 22:36-40.
This same Jesus went one step further saying,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  
     Matthew 5:43-46
Christians are to show love that goes beyond that of those in the world.
A true Christian will put no restrictions on love. The Apostle Paul writing,

“Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,

 it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil

 but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”  

                                                                                                                   1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
Please think about it.

What makes a Christian

What makes a Christian

I look quite often with indignation at men and women in the media calling themselves Christians, who in my opinion are Christians in name only. Their actions and the theology they preach in the media tells me they are not interpreting the Bible correctly. As a result I am offended and I firmly believe the will one day hear the words of Christ who will say,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” 
                                                                                                                       Matthew 7:21-23
Christianity is not alone when it comes to people misrepresenting organizations, institutions or other groups. When it comes to other groups I can change nothing. However as a Christian I have the right to address things within my own faith. Thus my reason for writing this.
I attend a very small church. As a result we are a tight group. And to be honest I can safely say we are all somewhat off beat.
The one thing however we from our pastor to the board members to the congregation is to present the gospel of Jesus Christ in as pure a form as possible. We want to hear those words “well done thou good and faithful servant.” at the end of our lives.
As a result we read and listen to a wide range of evangelist and preachers. BUT we do not hold them in higher authority than the Bible.
In the adult Bible study I teach we use a wide range of commentaries in an effort to find the truth in the scriptures.
The result quite is  we can at times have lively discussions as to what a particular scripture means. The reason for the lively discussion is because we take scripture seriously. We want to know the truth.
When I asked the group the simple question Who is a Christian? We made this list of criteria.
Strictly speaking a Christian is someone who believes Jesus is the one and Only Son of God. That He is God Incarnate. That he died for the sins of each and every man and woman. That we are saved by God’s Grace through our faith, and not by our works. By accepting Jesus into our heart and life.
What is referred to as “The apostles Creed” (not written by the apostles incidently) defines the basic beliefs of Christians when it states,
1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:
3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:
4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:
5. The third day he rose again from the dead:
6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father      Almighty:
7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead:
8. I believe in the Holy Ghost:
9. I believe in the holy catholic church: (meaning the church universal made up of all believers from all walks of life and denominations.) the communion of saints: (saints being all who believe in Christ.)
10. The forgiveness of sins:
11. The resurrection of the body:
12. And the life everlasting. Amen.”
Jesus made things perfectly clear when he said,
“....“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” 
                                                                                                                                                John 14:6.
Jesus also said,
“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.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” 
                                                                                                               John 3:16-18
Believers believe this statement. They do not believe you have to work your way to heaven the apostle Paul made that clear when he wrote,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.”
                                                      Ephesians 2:8,9.
The Writer of Hebrews states,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
                                                                                                    Hebrews 11:6
The Writer of Hebrews defining faith as,
             “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” 
                                                                                                                             Hebrews 11:1
Christians do not believe you will become rich materially or you will double your money or triple it by giving to your church or to an evangelist. As some false teachers would say. Giving money to the church or an evangelist will not get you to heaven. Faith in Christ is the only thing that will get you to heaven.
 Christians give money to the cause of Christ because they know it is the right thing to do. They do not however give to the point that they become a burden on anyone.
Christianity is a walk of faith in Christ.
A true Christian asks nothing of the unbeliever except that they least listen to the salvation message. They believe God wants them to present to the world.
This is what I believe a true Christian is.
Please think about it.