What does it mean to be a Christian?
I'd rather say it like this...
"What does it mean to have Salvation?" because the word Salvation means something intimate and personal and there are a whole lot of folks out there who call themselves Christians yet have never had an intimate and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. To really understand this, we'll take a walk down the Romans Road...
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The first step to Salvation (or "being saved") is to recognize that there is something to be saved from.
Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
Ok, so we need to be saved from our sin...why?
Romans 6:23, teaches us about the consequences of sin - "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
The death in this verse isn't just mortal death, it means eternal separation from God. Basic physics teaches us that energy doesn't cease to exist, it changes forms. When we die, our spirit, that energy that makes us who we are, continues on and can have one of two fates. Eternity with God in heaven, or eternity without God in hell.
So - if sin is what will keep us from heaven, then what?
Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Jesus paid the price for our sins with his death on the cross, and won the victory over that eternal death when he rose again - came back to life - the third day. The fact that He shed His blood for you and me, means that our sins can be forgiven and we can be made clean - acceptable to go to heaven.
But there's something you need to do to receive this gift - it's free, but you have to actively take it.
Romans 10:9, "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
Romans 10:13 "for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
This is the part where you may have heard a preacher say the "sinner's prayer." A simple prayer to accept Jesus into your life and acknowledge that you have sin that needs to be forgiven...it doesn't have to be a fancy prayer by any means - but it's the most important prayer of your life.
Turning your life over to Jesus will change you forever...and we'll learn more about those exciting changes in other posts.
But here are a few promises for new believers...
Romans 5:1 "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Romans 8:1 "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
Romans 8:38-39, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Once you have given your life to Jesus - He will never leave you, and the enemy will never be able to steal you back...your job now is to dig into the Word of God and learn more about this new life that has begun for you.
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Do you remember when you prayed and turned your life over to Jesus? Have you walked away from Him and felt the need to start over...to rededicate your life to Him? Or are you just on the edge? Not sure if that's a step you're ready to take?
Share your story with us...
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So you want to fix or change your man?
Don't miss this - Rockford, IL Women's Conference
Plan of Salvation...just in case you need it.
Ok i was raised hard core bible thumping christian. My mom got into this church and they were VERY strict, dress past your knees, hair up in a bun, no cutting your hair, no jewelry, most of them wore black stockings, no high heels, no knee highs. you had to wear slips, oh and long sleeves.....it was very very strict. But i remember when I was like ten or so I confessed and was saved, I remember when I got home I got a shower and I felt clean on the inside and out. Things went well for awhile. Then I went to a public school a few years later. Well I by then was wearing jeans (wich i still do) cutting hair (yulp that to) wearing jewelry (uh huh) ect. Then I feel into a depression, i wasn't excepted in public school. I was made fun of alot for my weight, height, the way i dressed ect. I was the but of alot of jokes. I ended up turning to drugs and alcohol. I ended up studying other religions. I was addicted to drugs for about four -five years. Until right before I got pregnant with my son. I am now five years clean (yay me). I have been through alot on that dark road, I was with a drug dealer that abused me, both physically and emotionally (i still trip over the emotional abuse even though I am in a loving relationship now) there are more things that happened in my "dark years" that I don't want to discuss, but it wasn't pretty. I have over come all of my addicitons except one and I am working on it.
About a year ago I bought a brand new bible and started reading it. Confusion set in, i talked to my mom, over the past year a few times about all of the confusion that I have been having, she's been my rock. (love you mom) So here I am years later, after over coming alot of trials, I am working on re building a relationship with God.
I have turned to other religions in the past, maybe because I didn't feel like God would forgive me for what I have done. but there was a passage that was posted in the group that really hit me. It doesn't matter what i've done.....I am working on rebuilding my lifestlye and living a healthier life, and also coming closer to jesus and God.. ...
My mom used to take us 3 to church everysingle sunday . I remember her telling my aunts and uncles how well behaved i was . She said evey time we would leave church, id have all of these questions for her. And she would just tell me to pray about it. I was about 10.
Between then and now. Well i was tested in every way possible. And i failed. As a tEen i was into partying and all the bad stuff that comes along with it.Coming and going whenever i pleased. Disobeying my family. My mom simply stopped going to church. She and my dad divorced after 19 years of marriage. I was a brand new mommy with nothing to look foward to . My relationship with my parents were bad. i rarely spoke to both of them. My brothers an sister wre already learning from my wrong doing. I just felt down. The lowest i ever felt. One sunday, my sil , whom i was friend with and a couple of other girls decided to go to the local church. That sunday it was all worship. I really felt the service. I was the only one crying. I was touch ...
I was 16 at the time . and pregnant. and no one else to turn to .
I was pretty much on my own. For 3 years i kept walking away from God . I thought going to church was enough . But i needed more. So i researched . The church iw as raised in wasnt doing much for me. I felt like i was obligated to go to confession, obligated to baptize my son, obligated for everything . I had alot of questions, but none answered, i was a frusrated person reagarding my faith . It wasnt untill i went to church with my mil. I got saved. I gave my heart to the Lord.
An amazing feeling. Amazing.
I defiantly view life very differently. I have more sense of belonging .
God is Good!!
Fully walking with Him and doing His will and not the will of mine or someone elses.
Knowing that I know that He knows who I am and that I fully know who He is.
Not being ashamed to stand for what is right and real. Being bold to stand for His entire Word and not sugar coating what it is saying.
Living every day knowing that I am a sinner and that we all fall short of His wonderful awesome glory. He tells us that if we say we sin not; then we are liars and the TRUTH is not in us. With knowing this I also know that I am forgiven, set apart from the world and it's ways even as I live here on Earth.
Truly taking the name of Christ when I call myself a Christian; for a Christian follows the steps of Christ. Born again in Him.
Always remembering where He brought me out of and where I have hope in going one day.
Its funny. Im new at walking with the Lord hand in hand . daily. Its one thing beleiving , but to really comit to live like Jesus wants us too, tough gig lol.Its not so hard surrendering and loving Him. But living by His word, completely surrendering, following , listening to Him isnt so easy. And the one thing ive learned while strengthening my relationship with God , is its not easy. And if you expect easy, its going to be harder.God doesn't promise a perfect happy life. But through Him , we can find joy and happiness in everything. Even those hard times when were sitting in our room, feeling depressed and loneliness, and bitterness , maybe insecure, We aren't alone. There's a Great God that made us just the way we are...just how he wants us to be. And He accepts us and loves US unconditionally ... A Lot of times our lives seem to be filled with distraction and obstacles that stir us away from God. Maybe feelings that we hve stored deep inside of us ..When we just need to let go.
For me, it was , isn't so much anymore, a tug of war between what i want for my life,and what God wants in my life...Its a process , to accept , love and TRUST the ONE who gave us life.
"...Free of sin"...Is to be FREE from them..Meaning letting them go , accepting your sin, realizing the wrong , asking for forgiveness, and most important , receiving forgiveness. It feels good , getting home from the job God blessed me with, eating the food , God blessed us with , under the home God provided, with the family God blessed me with..And it feels good knowing God loves me..even at our lowest times, Hes there, waiting patiently for us to listen , and Love Him back..Anyways , this is how walking with Jesus is for me. ...Awesome because every new morning , i am a New Creation Of Jesus !
I have given my life to God many times. There were times when I felt God had left me. I know when I was 14 I started my battle with depression. It was hard for me to feel God's love. When I had my first child I felt a strong sense of faith. I was then married to an athiest who challenged my faith. "How can a scientist believe such things?" I do believe, because of the wonders I have seen. The human mind reminds me of his presence. I believe that it is God who does the healing. I help people, but it is only through God and thier acceptance of help that they are truly made well. I still struggle with a need to fix my ills and save the rest of the world. I need to rely on God more. I am learning patience through His grace. I am very thankful for my current husband who is a very supportive Christian.
I remember it like it was yesterday. God came ito my life and saved me. After I got away from the temptations I was a round I invited Jesus into my heart.What a glorious Lord! Praise Jesus! Now I can look back and see where God was always there for me.Also protected me in every way that he could.It is the best thing I have ever done.Also the smartest.
Devotion Journal?
- Seriously92
on Oct. 29, 2007 at 1:32 AM