What is a Christian ?

"When someone becomes a Christian they become a brand new person inside. They are not the same anymore. A new life has begun." (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Many people are confused about what a Christian is. They think that if you go to church, or you have been baptised, or you live in a Christian country then you must be a Christian. The words above come from the Bible which tells us being a Christian completely changes us.

Jesus - The Way To God

The world is full of different religions - some older than Christianity and many that are more recent. Many people think that it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you are sincere. The Bible tells us that this is not true. The only way to get to know God and to understand him is by believing in Jesus as both Master over everything and as the one who sets us free (Saves us). Jesus, who lived on earth 2000 years ago, came to bring men and women back into relationship with God.

Every human being has broken God's law. This sin has caused a rift between men and God and the punishment is death and destruction. God decided to come himself and sort out the problem. He came in Jesus who died a terrible and painful death thus paying a ransom for you and me. As the Bible puts it:

"God loved the world so much that he gave his only son (Jesus) so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life". (John 3:16).

You Must Be Born Again

In recent years the idea of being 'Born Again' has caused many jokes. This is not new. The first time Jesus talked about being born again someone quipped, 'You want me to climb back inside my Mother's womb?' Yet being born again describes what happens when someone becomes a Christian.

The first step is to believe that Jesus is God and Master (Lord) of all and that he died to rescue us from sin. Then we repent. That means we acknowledge that we have done wrong and turn away from our old way of life determined to live the way God wants.

The next step is to ask God to change us. We invite Jesus to be the ruler over our lives. We literally ask him to come into us and take charge. What happens then is like a heart transplant. The Bible tells us that God removes the old heart that was unable to relate to him and gives us a new one. This is when 'New Life' begins and we are 'Born Again'.

What happens next?

Your life changes because you have changed. You may not notice it at first but your friends and family will.
Your attitude is different as you begin to see things from God's point of view.
Your relationship with people is different as God's love flows through you.
Your actions change as you reject what is wrong and do what is right.

No one tells you to do these things. They happen naturally because you have been changed inside. Some people will tell you that you have 'religion'. But it is not a religion but a relationship.

For the first time in your life you have a good relationship with the Almighty God. He has become your Father and you are now his child. You have been "born" into his Family. Soon you will want to meet with mature Christians to ask for help in learning how to please God and enjoy your new life.

New Life - New Power

The reason for all this change is because God's Spirit (the Holy Spirit) has come into you bringing new life and new power. The Holy Spirit helps you:

Say No! to wrongdoing and temptation
Have faith and hope so that you believe in God's good plan for your life
Overcome bad habits or despair and receive God's healing
Have courage to tell others about what God has done for you
In fact the Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit comes into us and enables us to live by supernatural divine power and not just by our ordinary human ability alone.

What about the Church?
When you become a Christian you join God's family. The church is not a building or an organisation. It is the family of all those who belong to God. When you tell Jesus you want him to be in charge of your life, you commit yourself to be part of his Church. Joining together with other born again and Spirit-filled believers is part of the fun of being a Christian as well as God's way of making sure you never have to face life on your own.

What do I do now?

Ask yourself these questions:

Am I a born again Christian with Jesus as Lord and Master of my life?
Am I a Spirit filled Christian enjoying the fullness of God's life and promises?
Am I committed within God's family and part of a Holy Spirit-filled church?

If the answer is No, to any of these questions then now is a good time to take a step of faith. Ask Jesus to come into your life to forgive your sin and give you his new life so you can be born again. Begin to believe God for Holy Spirit power so that you can live the way God wants you to live.

Trust Jesus for healing, blessing, hope and help in your life.
Join a church where people love God, and believe God's word. Where the fruit and power of the Holy Spirit are evident and where King Jesus is honoured and obeyed.