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What is a Christian
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Author: Souphanousinphone
As Americans, many claim to be Christians. Other nations view America as a Christian nation, and perhaps we practice many principles of the Christian faith in our society, in our government, and as the basis for our law. But is everyone living in America a Christian in reality?
The United States hosts many Roman Catholic Churches. Probably one church every few blocks in several neighbors in the city. The County of Albany area alone has at least a hundred.
Roman Catholic parishioners consider themselves Christian, and so do Protestants, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Methodists, Baptists, and so do Mormons, Buddhist Christians, New Agers, Freemasons, and some members of the KKK.
Several famous people have claimed to be Christians, including Oprah Winfrey, Hulk Hogan, Tom Hanks, Alice Cooper, Mr. T, the members of Boyz to Men, DMX, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Usher, and just about every Hollywood and musical award winner who thanks Jesus.
Some that claim to be Christian have gone to church most Sundays, attended a few religious events, or have grown up in Christian homes all their lives. but do any of those things make a person a true Christian? Their parents had told them their whole childhood that they are Christian. Then they leave the home as young adults and run far away from the church for the next decade.
Recognizing the Christian faith does not necessarily make one a Christian any more than plugging in an electrical cord makes one an electrician. The Bible states that men do not just accept themselves as Christians, but that a Christian is one transformed by Christ.
Christians are not people who believe in Christianity or that even follow a Christian religion. It's not someone trusting in the principles or following the system of Christianity. A Christian in the true sense of the definiton is one who follows Christ. It's not one who believes in Jesus in the sense to acknowledge Him, as even the devil does that. It's one who believes and trusts in Christ the Savior and relies on His merit for salvation from their sinfulness. That person is thus transformed into a new creature, being born again through the Holy Spirit and then sealed by the Spirit a a confirmation. Christianity is not the aim, but the person of Jesus Christ is.
The example to follow isn't a person claiming to be a Christian, although everyone who is should show a good witness. A Christian follows the example of Jesus Christ and lives righteously as a testimony to God, not as a means to acquire salvation or merit entry into heaven for being a good person. Our best still falls short of the glory of God. The merit of a true Christian is Jesus, not himself. A Christian is a person who recognizes himself as a sinner, but keeps moving towards glorifying God.
Picture: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Marian_Days_2007_-_Carthage_Missouri_04.jpg
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