HAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A CHRISTIAN?

There are some people that believe Christians are people that don’t drink, dance, chew or go out with girls that do!  In other words, they have no fun.  On the other hand, it was recently reported that 80% of Americans claim to be Christians. 

TOO MANY CHRISTIANS
I believe that we have too many Christians and not enough Christ Followers.  The word Christian is not a bad word.  It is found first in Acts 11:26, “The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.” 

A NEW LIFE IN CHIRST
To be a Christ-Follower is to have a heart changed by God.  It is to make a change on the inside of your life.  Christ-Followers are not required to go to church, give money, to be good, or to do anything to stay a Christian.  It simply means that you have a desire to do those things because your life has been changed. 

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

IT’S NOT  A FEELING
Don’t confuse being a Christ-Follower with a feeling that you have or receive.  You can’t always trust your feelings.  Our feelings often change rapidly and can’t be trusted.   Emotions do not authenticate truth, but emotions do authenticate our understanding of truth.

TRUST & FAITH
To be a follower of Jesus Christ is to put your faith and trust in HIM and HIM ALONE.  You believe that through the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross His blood was shed for the forgiveness of your sins.  Through His Strength and power you can now have a New Life only found in HIM. 

You don’t have to try to live this new life through sheer willpower.  After you ask Christ into your heart, he places the Holy Spirit inside of you .  Your desires will then change.  You will no longer have the desire to do things contrary to God. 

This Change in your life will influence you to do the things that will please Christ.  Thus you will become a Christ Follower. 

It’s not about rules and regulations, it’s about a relationship!  You will have a desire to read God’s Word, spend time in prayer, and want to associate with others followers of Christ in the local church. 

HOW TO BECOME A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST
Romans 10:9-10 (NIV) 9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Admit that you are a sinner.  You must acknowledge that you have left Christ out of the equation up to this point in your life.

Believe that Jesus is Lord.  You verbally and mentally make a decision to put your belief in Christ.  Your beliefs will change your behavior.

Confess your sins and ask Christ to be the boss, coach, and CEO of your life.  Simply ask Christ to come into your heart and life and make change you from the inside out.

Congratulations on making the most important decision of your life.  If you prayed this prayer today I would love to hear from you.  E-mail me pastorkevin@fellowshipws.com  Simply say, I prayed and asked Christ into my heart.  I would be happy to send you some next steps.