Thursday, October 21, 2010

WHAT DOES BEING CHRISTIAN MEAN TO YOU? PART 2

First of all I can’t tell you how much I appreciate those of you who took the time and trouble to comment on my recent post, “What does being Christian mean to you?” The things you have all had to say blessed me soo much and I wanted to say a large AMEN at the end of each and everyone. I really hope those of you who wanted to post your own post about this will do so as I would soo love to hear what you think as well. I would set up a Mr. Linkey for this IF I knew how…sigh…but since I don’t I am not sure how to handle it. Just reference it back to one of these posts I guess, so if others want to keep checking for new posts they can. But for now I will “attempt” to answer my own question.


To me being a Christian is both a simple thing, and yet MUCH more complex as well. I think Elaine hit it right on the head when she said…”I think, perhaps, it refers more to the "calling" aspect of being a Christian. To know God and then out of that knowing, lead others to know the same. Pretty simple, but profoundly effective.”

To be a Christian would involve first KNOWING and accepting who Jesus Christ is and what He has done for us; to believe that He was God in the flesh who came to this earth to live the perfect sinless life and then to die on the cross for ALL of our sins; rise then on the third day to conquer and defeat death and open wide the gates to heaven to all who accept this and believe. A simple prayer asking Him to come into your life and save you from what we all deserve is all it really takes to begin your Christian life. That’s it; pretty simple and pretty basic in my opinion. It’s the good news of the gospel. It can’t be done for you. It isn’t the church you belong to, or the faith you were born into. Your parent’s belief won’t save you. It is a very personal thing. And the best part of all? I can never be taken from you. Once you have TRULY believed this in your heart, asked for forgiveness for your sins and repented, and then asked Him personally to do this for you, then you belong for always and ever to Him. You are sealed by His Holy Spirit. He no longer even sees your sins, but rather Christ in you. You have the choice at that point as to rather or not you grow much in your faith or walk, or are ever used much by Him, but your salvation is secure.

Romans 8:38,39 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

But that is just the beginning of “being” a Christian or living a Christian life I believe. At this point you have become a new creation in Him. Your desire should now be to leave your old life style behind and begin a new one full of His power, grace and mercy.

2 Cor 5:17. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

In order to really live that life we must believe that the Bible is the infallible Word of God given to us in order that we might know Him, and what He both desires to give us and how to go about living a life that is pleasing to Him. It is not a list of do’s and don’ts so much as an open love letter to us telling us of His unfailing love for us and for all mankind.

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

But it is also given to us that we might know what it is that He considers sin so that we might live our lives pleasing to Him.

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

Living a Christian life involves becoming involved with others who believe. It means finding a church where His Word is taught, and where worshipping together is something we look forward to with great anticipation. It is knowing that it takes many members working together each bringing their own gifts that produce the fruit in our lives we desire. It is fellowshipping and supporting one another with our struggles and the celebration of our triumphs. It is praying for others and helping to carry their burdens. It is all of this and so much more.

For me, like so many of you, being a Christian is the most important thing in my life. Without Him and His love I am really not much at all. He never fails me. He loves me unconditionally. He fills me with His peace that passes all of our human understanding. He is joy untouchable. He corrects me gently and leads me by His Holy Spirit, Who fills me everyday just by the simple asking. I am definitely NOT perfect. He is that for me. I am definitely NOT sin free. He is that for me too. I try with His power to love all of those around me just as He does and tells us to likewise.

1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.


1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

It is my desire that everyone I know and love would know Him. Know of the salvation that is there for the asking. Would know and experience the power that is ours in the Holy Spirit. That they would come to understand that being Christian does not mean the intolerance of others, the judging of others or the harming of them in any way. It means quite simply, first knowing God, and then striving to be Christ like, and then by being ambassadors for Him.

2 Cor 5:9 I strive to live a life pleasing to Him in all I say and do.


2 Cor. 5:20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.

I have worked on this on and off for a couple days now and find it is hard to know where and when to stop. Maybe that’s because there is soo much truth to be found and shared within the pages of His Word that I can’t bear to leave anything out. But, I do challenge you to search them for yourself. Find the treasures within that have the power to change your life in a real and profound way. Meet the living God who loves you more than you can imagine.

I do know that It feels like chaos has written a WONDERFUL post about what this all means to her and you can find it HERE. I can't tell you how much I love this sweet gal's blog and her heart for Him is so evident in all she writes.   I will do my best to update this as others may write as I just couldn’t bear anyone to miss a thing.

God Bless you all…

Debbie 

To join the other Spiritual Sunday posts click HERE  You will be soo blessed

21 comments:

  1. Wow Debbie, that was awesome. Do you mind if I give my sister a link on her facebook page so that she can share it with some of the youth that she teaches? I think a lot of those kid can get something out of this. I'll wait for your okay before I do it. Really, this was put perfectly...

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  2. You did an awesome job! I don't think I could have said it any better...now I need to stop and say, I couldn't have said it any better. You have expressed the hope that is with in you!

    I hope you have an awesome weekend...you said you had some busy days ahead. If you get a chance to join the game of tag I would enjoy seeing your answers...it was a fun post, and I needed that during some trying times.

    Blessings...thanks for sharing...I was so inspired.

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  3. Blessings Debbie...

    I did not participate or even finish reading parts 1 & 2 of this great ?
    but I wanted to reassure you that doing a LINKY is not that tough.

    Brent Riggs, has set up a linky that many are using now and he really walks you through how to do it with tutorials and how to's:

    http://www.linkytools.com/

    Not that you need it for this blog. I'm not at all computer literate yet I was able to do it. Stick to the basic one but I'd be willing to help you...if you have blogger, 'cuz I don't know Word Press but he differs on each of these...

    This is a very inspirational post and doing or sharing their blog in the comments works fine.

    Now back to reading... I think I'd better go to Part 1 first!

    Peace in Christ,
    Peggy

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  4. WOW Debbie... it's taken me a while to go back and read Part 1 and then finish reading this post Part 2, which really is a BEAUTIFUL answer!!!

    It is so complete! And you are so right! I love the scriptures and truth you share! I was hesitant to come read this before writing my own. So when I read Part 1, I commented, than I thought about writing a blog post (which I'm thinking about doing this weekend)and I will link to your post, if I do. This is so thorough.

    I really like your last part when you shared not knowing where to stop, and your reason why! Awesome Debbie... you have shown clearly that God speaks to you and through you and your life experience through Him and His Word! I have to agree with Jannette. Well said! I'm not sure that I can even say it this well and so concise, definitely under the anointing of the Holy Spirit (lol) and I'm not even gonna try because what you shared is HIS HOPE and work in you!

    So, I may have to reconsider...

    Thanks so much...if I get a chance I will check out the HERE of It Feels Like Chaos!!!

    EnJOY a wonderful spirit filled weekend in Jesus with your family!
    Peggy

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  5. Wow, Debbie, this is awesome! You did such a wonderful job explaining the simple but profound truth of what it means to be a Christian!

    Amen and Amen!!

    Blessings to you and yours!

    HE IS FAITHFUL!

    Hugs!
    Jackie

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  6. Oh Debbie, I just read your first couple of sentences....and I WANT to read more!! And read what the others have written....BUT I can't...leaving and won't be back for a couple of days! :( BUT I will be back!! :) I look forward to reading all about this!! :D

    Hugs, Carolyn ~ Cottage Sunshine

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  7. Thanks for a great sharing. It's so important to know what being a Christian is really about, especially today when there is so much compromise.

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  8. Hi Debbie, You were definately annointed to write this post.
    Wow! That's all I can say... Wow.

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  9. HI Debbie...this is so great....I like the way you wrote this....

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  10. You explained it very well, Debbie. This post goes well with the S.S. post I did this week. Thank you for sharing.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  11. Debbie this is a touching post. So much depth here, yet you pointed out that becoming a Christian is so simple and personal. No one else can do it for us. Going to church doesn't make us a Christian - it is believing on the Lord Jesus Christ and asking Him to forgive us of our sins.

    And oh yes, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption. Praise God for that! However, when we choose to grow in our faith - what a marvelous journey it is.

    Wonderful post!

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  12. I agree being around Christian friends are important. Sometimes our talk end up with tears of happiness because of our love for the Lord.
    Thank-you for this amazing post today.
    God Bless,
    Ginger

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  13. Such a deep & dear testament to God's shaping of your life.

    We are so very blessed to be His, especially when I consider that I did absolutely nothing to have been placed in so great a placed of honor.

    I love being set apart, and staying apart. He is worthy!

    Blessings,
    Kathleen

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  14. Debbie, I can't add anything to this post , except how eloquently you laid before all the plan of salvation, and the life of Christian living, so beautiful. Your gift of writing your thoughts always blesses me so much.
    Thank you for always being so obedient to the Holy Spirit.
    Much love and many hugs today,
    Sue

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  15. Just beautiful Debbie! Thank you so much for your message on God's Love and being a Christian:)

    Blessings,
    ~Lynn♥

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  16. Good job. I pray that many will read your post and give it serious consideration for their life. Thank you for posting.

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  17. Beautifully said Debbie! And when you sit and write it all down like this, doesn't it just remind you afresh of all that is ours because we are His!!??

    Hugs!

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  18. That was a lovely post Debbie. The Lord uses us all if we will only let Him and I think He has used you to help all of us understand our walk with Him.

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  19. You did a great job explaining how to become a Christian. Thank you for sharing this with us... blessings

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  20. Happy Monday, friend. Absolutely powerful..and beautiful post. Like you said - so simple and yet so much more! Yes, becoming a Christian - and you explained it so beautifully - is so simple. The Christian walk - well, that can be a bit trickier....Satan so tries to complicate things and then, well, we do still have that sin nature. But what a wonderful thing..and daily adventure..it is - this Christian walk with Christ!!

    I hope to post my testimony...soon! I so thrilled reading yours -

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  21. Awesome post! And I really love how even though I have no idea where you go to church, and we've never talked face to face, yet everything you shared about your faith I believe, too. There are so many different people in this world, but 1 Jesus and 1 Bible and they unite us in faith! Again, thanks for the challenge of this question!

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I am so glad that you would take the time to comment on my thoughts and feelings, it is such a blessing to me!