Christianity

 

5 June 2011: Photograph of me holding a turtle dove

Peace Be With You.  I am a cradle catholic, baptized since birth.  Growing up, I asked about my religion, question my religion and were curious about it.  In my mind, Christians are such perfect people and I don't think I am not qualified to be a Christian...I told interviewer that I was not a Christian... 

What is a Christian?

The Bible which is God's Word give us the answer.  A true Christian is a person who believes and receives Christ into his or her life.  "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God".  John 1:12

This speaks of a definite decision -- a personal act.  It is not a decision that someone else can make for you.  It is only to the person who receives Jesus Christ personally that the power is given to become a true child of God.  

The word right can be taken to mean the privilege to become a son or daughter of God.  This privilege is for all, but it is only experienced by those who receive Jesus Christ personally.  

Why Should I believe in Jesus Christ?

Believing in Christ is the only way we can have our sins forgiven and experience eternal life.  Jesus said, "I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am He, you will indeed die in your sins." John 8:24.  Again He said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Jesus is saying that He has the power to forgive our sins.  Therefore I need to receive Him because I have sinned.  The Bible said, "There is no one righteous, not even one." Romans 3:10

The Bible teaches that the first man to sin was Adam.  He was the first man God created.  As a result of his sin the whole human race which came from Adam has sinned.  The Bible says, "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned." Romans 5:12

Jesus Christ came into the world to redeem man from sin.  The Bible teaches, "For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive." 1 Corinthians 15:22.  Because of sin all must die physically, but if we die without having received Jesus Christ, we will be separated from God forever.  This is called spiritual death.  If on the other hand, I believe in Christ, my sins are forgiven and I am 'made alive'.  This spiritual life, in the presence of God here and forever, is eternal life.  The Bible makes it very clear why I should believe in Jesus Christ.  

Be His Witness.  Jesus called His disciples to be His witness.  A witness testifies of what he himself saw, heard, felt or received not what someone else saw, heard, felt or received.  

Not ashamed to witness.  Some Christians are shy and embarrassed to talk to their friends and relatives about Jesus Christ whom they believe.  But Paul, the first missionary said, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes."  Paul was so confident that he went everywhere to tell people the gospel about Jesus.  He was even prepared to die for it.  Finally he was put in prison, then sentenced to death for proclaiming Jesus Christ.  

Ambassadors For Christ.  It is Paul who calls those who make Jesus known ambassadors for Christ.  Just as an ambassador go to another country on behalf of his government and country to appeal or to promote harmony, an ambassador for Christ speaks about Christ and pleads on Christ's behalf to man to get right with God.  When he witness it is as though God Himself was making His appeal through us. (2 Corinthians 5:17 -- Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!)

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