Why is being a Christian unique - arn't all religions basically the same?

 

First, being a Christian is not first and foremost about a religion - it's about a relationship with a person Jesus Christ. A person who happens to be the Son of God.

 

Second, Christianity is about God reaching out to mankind - not about mankind trying to find a God.

 

Isn't it just about living a good life?

 

No. Anyone can live a good life without having a relationship with Jesus.

 

It's all about getting the basics right. First you need to be right with God and the only way to do that is to have a relationship with Jesus. Secondly, having a relationship with Jesus means living out that relationship day to day in your life.

 

So how do I become a Christian?

 

To some people the phrase above makes no sense at all. We are born in a Christian country so we are all Christians aren’t we? To others Christianity is a matter of going to Church on special occasions and refusing to do certain things.

 

What’s your SIMPLE definition of Christianity?

 

What's at the heart of Christianity?

 

There are four essentials we need to remember:

 

1. God’s PLAN

 

When God first made the world, everything was beautiful.

 

What word can you find at least half a dozen times in the first chapter of the Bible - Genesis 1?

 ...... and it was Good

 

In John 10 v.10, God's Word shows the sort of life Jesus wants people to have.

 ......  I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

 

2. Man’s PROBLEM

 

Created by God as a free agent, man choose not to follow him.

 

Long ago the prophet Isaiah described us as silly lost sheep, scattering in all directions:

All of us like sheep have gone astray,

each of us has turned to his own way.

 

It is often a mistake to ignore the maker’s instructions. Romans 6 v.23 shows the consequences of ignoring God’s instructions.

 ..... the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord

 

3. God’s REMEDY

 

When things go wrong because of our disobedience to God, someone must pay the bill.

Gods remedy is that Jesus should pay it instead of us.

 

The Bible in I Peter 3 v 18 clearly shows that Christ’s death wasn't an accident and does something tremendous for us.

  ........  For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.

 

There is no alternative way to get back to God. In John 14 v.6 Jesus answers just such a question.

  ......... "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

 

4. Man’s RESPONSE

 

Like any other remedy, God’s must be taken in if it is to help us.

 

Not everyone sees this, however. Two different reactions to Jesus are recorded by John in John 1 v.11 & 12

  ........He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God

 

Where do I fit in?

 

To know all about the heart of Christianity does not make you a Christian. To become a Christian you must place your trust in Jesus Christ. Placing your trust in him is a simple process of ABCD

 

ACCEPT that you are a sinner and therefore in need of God’s remedy. (Romans 3 v.23) . .... There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

 

BELIEVE that Christ died for you. (Romans 5 v 8) .... God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us

 

CONFESS your sin and your trust in Him. (Romans 10 v.9) .... 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. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified

 

DO IT - Live out the relationship you now have with Jesus. Let the relationship you are now starting with Jesus work its way out in your everyday life. Matthew 28 v20 .... surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age

 

Eternal life, hope, a God who listens to you in prayer, and a whole new Christian family are all yours when you place your trust in Jesus. The Bible describes you as a new creation, a child of God, and as someone who has passed from darkness into light.

 

What next?

 

Becoming a Christian is simple, but it is only a first step.

 

Philippians 1 v.6 says that God has plans for you in the future.

...... being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

 

We can look at different aspects of the Christian life.

 

For now you might like to try these practical steps:

• Tell someone you know at home or elsewhere that you have become a Christian.
• Find a version of the Bible that suits you.
• When you start to pray to God, think of your life as a house and invite Him into all the different rooms.