YOU CALL YOURSELF A CHRISTIAN?
By Daniel Yohanna
You're not a Christian because you answer the name Mathew or Michael or Christiana. It's not in the name. That's why you can find someone called Angelina who behaves more like a 'Devilina.'
Neither are you one because you go to Church. That you live inside a Campus doesn't make you a student. Sleeping in a garage doesn't make you a car. You can have blocks inside a building that are not part of the building. So, that you have your name in a Church register, and even contribute financially, does not make you a Christian. The story was told of a Pastor's wife who left her handbag on her seat after a particular church service and was exchanging pleasantries with people. She turned back to make a call only to discover her cell phone was missing. She used somebody's phone to call her line only for her to hear this to her utter disbelief and consternation: "Mama, please try and get another phone. I‘ve been believing God for this kind of handset." Shocking!
You may be baptized, confirmed (and confused, like a preacher used to add), that doesn't change anything. You went under the water a dry sinner and came up a wet sinner.
Your parents could be Christians, ok, that doesn't make you one. They may even be Pastors or Elders or Deacons. You might have been born inside a Church sanctuary. That still doesn't make you a Christian.
If your parents were Medical Doctors, that doesn't turn you into a Medical Practitioner.
That you even dress like a Christian (wondering if there is a Christian dress, as all the dresses we wear are made on earth), and talk like one, using common cliches, don't turn you into a Christian.
Just wearing a Military outfit doesn't make you a soldier. That you can speak English doesn't make you a Brit.
How then does one become a Christian? Let’s take a look at some Scriptures.
2Corinthians 5:17
When someone becomes a Christian he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same any more. A new life has begun!
You become a Christian by giving your life to Jesus. You must acknowledge yourself as a sinner who cannot save himself/herself, believe that Jesus died in your place on the Cross of Calvary, and confess Him as Lord over your life. Then you become saved. Your sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus that was shed on the Cross, and you become a child of God. You can then call yourself a Christian.
Romans 10:9,10
9 For of you tell others with your own mouth that Jesus Christ is your Lord, and believe in your own heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For it is by believing in His heart that a man becomes right with God; and with his mouth he tells others of his faith, confirming his salvation.
Take note of the fact that Christianity is not a religion
but a relationship between a loving Father, God, and His children. It is the
manifestation of the life and love or God.
Religion is man's way of seeking God (that's why you have so many religions). The sad thing is that religion only leads you to bondage and it has no answer for sin. Those that have practised Christianity as a religion have done some of the greatest havoc known to mankind, all in God's name. Ready examples are the Inquisition and the Crusades of the mediaeval era. Today, there are many religious adherents but very few godly men and women.
In Christianity, it is God who came in the person of Jesus Christ, to seek and to save lost and fallen humanity through His sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary.
Religion is man's way of seeking God (that's why you have so many religions). The sad thing is that religion only leads you to bondage and it has no answer for sin. Those that have practised Christianity as a religion have done some of the greatest havoc known to mankind, all in God's name. Ready examples are the Inquisition and the Crusades of the mediaeval era. Today, there are many religious adherents but very few godly men and women.
In Christianity, it is God who came in the person of Jesus Christ, to seek and to save lost and fallen humanity through His sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary.
Your good works cannot save you because all your
righteousnesses are as filthy rags before God (Isaiah 64:6).
It is when you give your life to Jesus that the Spirit of God comes into you, transforming you into a new species of being. All your sins of the past are washed away and you begin to walk with God. Everything on the outside may still look the same, but there is a change on the inside that will begin to reflect on the outside.
It is when you give your life to Jesus that the Spirit of God comes into you, transforming you into a new species of being. All your sins of the past are washed away and you begin to walk with God. Everything on the outside may still look the same, but there is a change on the inside that will begin to reflect on the outside.
Therefore, in the real essence of it, you cannot be converted
into Christianity. You have to be born into it. No wonder Jesus said, “Unless
a man is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” (John 3:3). It is accepting
Jesus into your heart, believing that He died for you and rose again to justify
you. You then become a child of God. Every sin you’ve committed in the past is
totally washed away by the blood of Jesus. You become a new person, a new creature;
a brand new species of being that never existed before.
Now, it is necessary that when this change occurs on the inside, it ought to reflect on the outside. The life you've received from God ought to affect your own life and lifestyle.
It's sad to find people who profess propriety but practice profanity today. That's why Mahatma Gandhi was quoted to have once said, "I like your Christ; I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
Do you even realize it wasn't God who called believers in Christ Christians? It was people who noticed the similarities in lifestyle between the early disciples and Christ that gave them the appellation,
Now, it is necessary that when this change occurs on the inside, it ought to reflect on the outside. The life you've received from God ought to affect your own life and lifestyle.
It's sad to find people who profess propriety but practice profanity today. That's why Mahatma Gandhi was quoted to have once said, "I like your Christ; I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
Do you even realize it wasn't God who called believers in Christ Christians? It was people who noticed the similarities in lifestyle between the early disciples and Christ that gave them the appellation,
"Christians." They were Christ-like in all their dealings.
Acts 11:26 NKJV
And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
It's not enough to call yourself a Christian. Is there
anything in your life that shows you are one? Jesus said " By their fruits
you will know them." (Matt. 7:20). God is love. If you are His child, love
should be seen manifesting in your life.
John 13:35 NKJV
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Rick Godwin cautiously noted two ironic reasons why people
do not become Christians: (1) They've never met one, and (2) They've met one.
Ouch!
You may not, in fact you will not, get there overnight. Just
like it is in the natural, it takes time for people to grow to maturity. You will
still makes mistakes even after you’re born again. But as you grow to maturity
through feeding and studying the Word of God, praying daily and fellowshipping
with other believers, it will be evident to all that change has occurred in
your life.
The Lord bless you.
Follow me on Twitter (@DanielYohanna).