What is a Christian?.

What is a Christian? The simplest way to answer this question is to say that a Christian is someone who puts their trust in Jesus. It’s that basic.

They trust in Jesus for their salvation, knowing that his death on the cross adequately covers the punishment they deserve for any way they have offended God or fallen short of his Holy standards.

They trust in Jesus that because of his work on the Cross, they are now friends with God, accepted by God and pleasing to God. The Bible speaks of poeple who are christians as God's children - confident of his love and goodwill towards them.

They trust in Jesus that because of his work on the Cross they are reborn, given a fresh start and, with the power of God working alongside them they will live a righteous life, a purposeful life, a life that brings glory to God.

Here are a few words from the Bible about Jesus' death on the Cross, his resurrection and what it means for us.

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (TNIV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (TNIV)

Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 (TNIV)

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance:that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 1 Corinthians 15:3,4 (TNIV)

Christians not only trust in Jesus, they also follow Jesus. So a Christian person is a person who follows Jesus. This means christians try to live the way Jesus taught his followers to live. Some of those guidelines for life can be found in the famous speech of Jesus called The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew's Gospel in the Bible (Matthew Chapters 5-7)

Christians like to meet with other Christians to be encouraged in their trust in Jesus and to learn more about how to follow him - that is why they go to Church. The Church is the place God designed for Jesus' followers to grow.

A Christian sees themselves as part of a community. This is the way God intends people to grow and support one another (Hebrews 10:24,25). That’s why Christians see it as so important to meet together.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25 (TNIV)

How to become a Christian

To become a Christian means to trust Jesus and to follow him, acknowledging that your life doesn't measure up to God's high standards, asking for forgiveness and resolving to change the direction of your life - with God's help. It all starts with a simple conversation with God- something we call prayer- . You could pray something like this:

Dear God, I'm sorry for all the ways in which I've fallen below your Holy standards. I'm sorry for ignoring you and resisting your control of my life. Please forgive me because of the amazing sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. I believe that Jesus died and rose again and that his death was for my sins and brings me your forgiveness. Please grant me a fresh start. Help me to follow Jesus. Turn my life around and help me to live in a way which pleases you. I resolve from this day forward to follow Jesus, to trust him and obey him as my Lord. Thankyou for all you've done for me in Christ and for the new and righteous life you are calling me to.

The Bible contains God's promise that all who trust in Jesus have eternal life: _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. John 3:16 (TNIV)

The Bible also promises that God will work within us to transform our lives when we put our faith in Jesus:

The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (TNIV)

If you would like to find out more about what Christians believe, the best thing to do is talk to some Christians! You can call Greg or Tracy at Church on 9510 3326. Why not come along to Church next Sunday? For some more information you can also check out the following websites:

http://www.matthiasmedia.com.au/2wtl/2wtlonline.asp

http://www.christianity.net.au/

http://www.bethinking.org.uk/