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What does it mean to be a CHRISTIAN?
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Many of us do not seem to have a clear idea of what a CHRISTIAN 
really is. Generally, we think there is a set of rules which, if 
kept faithfully, will make a person a CHRISTIAN. Some of us feel 
that if our good deeds outweigh our bad deeds, God will "let" us 
into heaven.. 

In the BIBLE certain words are used in connection with being a 
CHRISTIAN that should be defined so everyone will know exactly 
what it means to become a CHRISTIAN. 

Have you ever heard the word CONVERTED? This means to "turn 
around." We are going in one direction and by what the BIBLE 
calls REPENTANCE, we turn and go in the opposite direction. By 
nature EVERYONE is going the wrong way - the way of sin - and we 
must be "turned around", or CONVERTED. There are two BIBLE verses 
that show this very clearly. JEREMIAH 10:23 says, "I know that 
the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh 
to direct his steps." 

And Matthew 18:3 tells us, "Except ye be CONVERTED, and become as 
little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." 

Sometimes we talk about being SAVED. What does this mean? To be 
saved means to be rescued from what we are in our old sinful 
nature, and to be made what God wants us to be, so that before 
HIM we are without sin. JESUS said that He came "to seek and to 
save that which was lost" (LUKE 19:10) 

His part in redemption was to pay the price of sin, and our part 
is to place our confidence and trust in HIM as our personal 
SAVIOR. When we do this, we can claim GOD'S promise that "In 
(Him) we have redemption ... even the forgiveness of sins." 
(Ephesians 1:7) 

Another phrase found in the Bible is that of being BORN AGAIN. In 
the third chapter of JOHN, JESUS said, "Except a man be BORN 
AGAIN, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (verse 3) 

What did JESUS mean by that?

We respond and act like human beings because we received a human 
nature from our parents. So, to have the nature that acts 
according to the will of God, we must be BORN into HIS family and 
receive HIS nature. This is exactly what happens when we are BORN 
AGAIN. We are placed into God's family; we are made HIS children. 
The BIBLE says it this way: "Therefore if any man be in CHRIST, 
he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all 
things become new." (II Corinthians 5:17) 

Now, let's discuss the words RECEIVING CHRIST. To receive 
something means to take, to accept, to trust in, or to believe. 
In the CHRISTIAN life it means to accept SOMEONE; and that ONE, 
of course, is JESUS CHRIST, God's Son. You heard the invitation 
of the Lord, "Come unto me, all ye that travail and are heavy 
laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28), you turned from 
your sinful way (repentance) and you received JESUS CHRIST as 
your PERSONAL Savior. 
 
Are you a CHRISTIAN? Are you SAVED? Have you ever been BORN 
AGAIN? Have you ever RECEIVED CHRIST?" And they have answered, 
"Well, I belong to a church ... I do as many good things as I can 
... I think I am as good as anybody ... I must be saved!." 

Going to church, being good and doing good deeds are fine, but 
these things do not give ETERNAL LIFE. The Bible teaches that to 
be SAVED - to be a CHRISTIAN, to be BORN AGAIN, to be CONVERTED - 
YOU MUST RECEIVE JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR from YOUR sin. HE is the 
ONE who died for us (Romans 5:6). HE is the ONE who LIVES in 
heaven and speaks to GOD on our behalf EVERY day (I Timothy 2:5) 

Suppose an angel should SUDDENLY stand before you and ask, "Are 
you ready to meet GOD?" What would YOUR answer be? 

If you are not CERTAIN, invite JESUS CHRIST into your heart and 
life RIGHT NOW. 

Make CERTAIN that YOU know what it means to be a CHRISTIAN.

You can pray a prayer RIGHT NOW to do just THAT, by repeating the 
following prayer and meaning it in your heart. It doesn't matter 
if you close your eyes or not, God only wants your heart to be 
true: 

 "Lord Jesus, come into my life and my heart. I do now 
acknowledge my sins and accept you as my personal savior. I 
acknowledge you as the Living Son of God, and Lord. I hereby 
commit my life to you for eternity." 

Leave a message for SYSOP, leave name and address and phone 
number so that we can get some materials to you and help you grow 
in this NEW LIFE and experience. 

This article is from the Computers for Christ (408-997-2790), 
another BBS ministry.) 

