Did you know that four out of five Americans today consider themselves to be Christians? That's the latest word from pollster George Gallup, Jr. But what Gallup didn't ask was, What does it take to make someone a
real Christian?
God wants each of us to know where we stand in His eyes. Ask yourself, "Am I a real Christian?" You can know for sure. Whatever your religious background, I encourage you to take an honest look beyond the myths about what it means to be a real Christian.
If thinking positively, living a good life, going to church, giving to others, receiving a sacrament, believing in God, talking about Jesus, praying, and reading the Bible don't qualify anyone to be a Christian, then what does?
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First, the Bible says a Christian is someone who walks in the way of life in contrast to the way of death. And that way is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Jesus Christ said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (
John 14:6). Notice Jesus doesn't say He will show you the way. He says, "I am the way!"
Do you sometimes feel as though you are lost and don't know where you are going? When you become a Christian, you have found the way of life.
You ask, "What kind of way is this 'way of life'?"
It is the way of peace. Jesus said to His followers, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives" (
John 14:27). When you walk in the way of Christ, you experience an inner peace -- a tremendous quiet in your heart. The broken pieces in your life are put together again. Only God can give you lasting peace.
The way of life is also the way of purity. The Bible says, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God" (
Matt. 5:8). You may be a nice person, perhaps the life and soul of the party. But if you are fooling around with sin; if you are playing with immorality; if you are dishonest in your school, in your work, in your play, in your family life, then you are not living the life Jesus wants for you.
When you come to Christ, He forgives your sins and purifies your heart, and God gives you the power to live a righteous life.
The way of life in Christ is also the way of love. "All men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another" (
John 13:35). Today the word "love" often is used to describe a person exploiting the emotions of another for his own satisfaction and selfishness. But that is not love. True love involves wanting the very best for someone no matter what it may cost us.
The way of life is also the way of obedience. The way of the Christian is to serve only one Master -- Jesus. The Bible describes Him as "Lord of lords and King of kings" (
Rev. 17:14). The Christian lives in the light of this truth. Jesus becomes your Lord, your Master, your King. What He says goes.