WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A CHRISTIAN

Do you remember some great challenge you had to face like a formidable task of running three miles or swimming a mile? Didn't it seem overwhelming at first? Being a Christian is even a greater challenge, and has far, far more importance in our lives. To be a Christian as the Bible reveals should be our goal.

Being like Jesus describes what it means to be a Christian. To be like Christ in love, mercy, compassion, and every godly attribute, and then to speak as He spoke, to act as He acted, and to teach as He taught, well defines the greatest challenge we will ever undertake. The apostle Paul wonderfully explains, "I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Gal. 2:20).

We are reminded every day in our family surroundings that children follow in the footsteps of their parents. To be a Christian requires walking in the steps of Jesus. The walk that Jesus Christ so willingly took led to Calvary and death on the cross. After His death the Father raised Him to sit at His right hand in heaven. Being a Christian involves persecution and trials, it means taking up the cross of Jesus, and bearing it willingly in service to Him. Peter, the apostle, writes, "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us leaving us an example, that we should follow His steps" 1 Pet. 2:21).

Disciples or apprentices are always learning. Jesus is the Master Teacher, and every child of God becomes His disciple. A follower of Jesus loves Him, and keeps His commandments. He will follow Jesus, and sit at His feet as a disciple to learn from Him, and be molded by Him according to the gospel. Being a Christian means studying and meditating on God's Word continually (2 Tim. 2:15; 3:16,17).

What does it mean to be a Christian? It means being like Jesus Christ in every way: walking in His footsteps, bearing His cross, and ever learning at His feet. This is the challenge of being a Christian that we all can accomplish because we are saved by grace through faith, and raised up to walk in newness of life (Eph. 2:1-10).

By - Ron Drumm.

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