A Christian isn’t just someone who ticks a box marked ‘Christian’ on a census form. It’s about living in a way that follows the teachings of Jesus Christ. It’s about embracing a life shaped by love, compassion, and forgiveness, the values that define Christianity.
Being a Christian center around a deep belief in Jesus as the Son of God who died for our sins and rose again. This isn’t just a once-a-week church habit; it means embodying the principles Christ taught. Attending church, reading the Bible, and praying are part of it, but the real deal goes much deeper. It’s about showing kindness, seeking justice, and loving others, plain and simple.
Living a Christ-centered life means letting those teachings influence your everyday decisions and actions. It’s challenging and rewarding, like learning a new language but one that speaks to the heart. Through this endeavor, faith becomes an anchor, guiding one’s life and decisions, grounding them in something greater than themselves.
Misconceptions abound, like the idea that Christianity is just a set of strict rules or that it’s only about what happens after death. In reality, it’s a vibrant, thoughtful approach to living, offering guidance and hope in this life and the next. It’s not just a ticket to heaven but a path to live each day in a meaningful way.
The Path to Salvation: Receiving Eternal Life
Receiving eternal life isn’t about having a perfect spiritual resume or jumping through religious hoops. It’s about forming a genuine connection with Jesus. The Bible makes it pretty clear that believing in Christ and trusting him with your life is key to this journey. John 5:24 ” Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believe him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.
When it comes to receiving Christ, it’s about realizing you need a little help from above—a nudge from a friend who’s got your back, no matter what. This involves acknowledging that we all fall short sometimes, owning up to those missteps, and then letting faith be your guide. Think of it as having a guide on a hike, helping you navigate tough trails. Faith in Jesus means trusting him to help steer your path.
Repentance and confession might sound like heavy words, but they boil down to admitting where we’ve wandered off course and asking for a bit of divine help to get back on track. In embracing this path, you accept a love that’s unconditional and boundless.
Faith plays a starring role here. Believing in Jesus’s sacrifice and resurrection isn’t just about agreeing with historical facts. It’s a trust exercise with the whole of your heart, mind, and soul. It’s about seeing Jesus as both a bridge connecting you to eternal life and a companion for the journey. By putting your faith in him, you’re stepping into a relationship meant to fulfill your deepest spiritual needs.
Assurance of Salvation: Knowing You’re ‘Saved’
Wondering if you’re really ‘saved’ can feel like trying to navigate a maze blindfolded, but there are comforting signs that provide assurance. Experiencing a sense of peace, watching your perspective shift, and seeing genuine changes in your life are strong indicators that faith is steadily growing.
Salvation is not about ticking off a checklist; it’s a living, breathing relationship with Christ. You’re in pretty solid company when you’re doing your best to embody love, kindness, and forgiveness. These aren’t just nice-to-haves; they’re the heartbeats of a life saved by faith. Remember, faith without action can feel hollow, much like seeds only flourish when planted.
Fears about losing salvation can sneak up like shadows but understanding that salvation is grounded in faith can help clear the fog. Trust in Jesus is like an unbreakable bond—not about how tightly you hold it but about how steadfastly Jesus holds onto you. Romans 10: 9-10 If you declare with your mouth, ” Jesus is Lord”, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
On the flip side, if Christ isn’t invited into your life, it’s crucial to understand what that means. Christianity teaches that without this relationship, one misses out on the communal journey towards eternal life. It’s about more than end-of-life destinations; it’s about abundant life here and now. Recognizing the consequences can stir reflection on what truly matters in this life journey.
Closing Prayer
Lord, thank You for Your Word that guides me, transforms me, and deepens my relationship with You. Help me to apply Your truth of Salvation to my everyday live, trusting that through Your Word, I can become more like You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
This article raises thoughtful points about living a Christ-centered life. A few questions come to mind:
What does living out kindness, justice, and love look like in daily life?
How can we stay grounded in faith during moments of doubt or fear?
What would you say to someone who feels unworthy of salvation?
How do we ensure our faith leads to meaningful action?
The message about salvation through a relationship with Jesus and living out faith as love and forgiveness is powerful. It’s a great reminder that faith isn’t about perfection but about trust and growth. What are your thoughts on this?
thanks Shawn
Thank you for your question, Brother Sawan. The answer to all your questions starts with applying the word of God to our lives. If we accept Jesus, as our Lord and Savior the next step is letting the Holy Spirt open up the word of God to our hearts. Then we apply them to our lives to live out the fruits of the spirt Galatian 5:22 -23 Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-control.
The only way our faith grows, is by putting God to the test. Which means apply his words to our lives and feeling and living out the benefits here on earth. This is how we get a little taste of what haven will be like here on earth, every so often, until we get there.
I’ve always found that the more I learn about faith, the less anxious I feel about the “afterlife” aspects. Focusing on building a strong faith here and now feels much more productive than fixating on an uncertain future.
My question is, what are some practical ways to cultivate this “relationship” with God as the article suggests? I’m always looking for more ways to deepen my spiritual connection.
Thank for your question brother Don. The simple answer is you have to spend time with Jesus. That comes from first accepting him as your Lord and Savior, and next studying his word with the guidance of the Holy Spirt. The way you deepen your faith is by apply his words to your life. The truth is life, will force you to apply the worlds truth or God’s truth to your life eventually. God’s truth is the only way to deepen your faith.