Saturday Scripture Gold with Bibi: What Makes Us Christians?

"It is not what men eat but what they digest that makes them strong; Not what we gain but what we save that makes us rich; not what we read but what we remember that makes us learned; not what we preach but what we practice that makes us Christians."   -Source Unknown

We are asked many questions here at CHBM (Coffeehouse Bible Ministry) in regards to God, Jesus, scripture, church, etc. But one of the most frequently asked questions is this very basic one ,"What is a Christian?" I'd like to begin this week's message by attempting to provide as simple an answer as I can.  A Christian is a follower, a disciple of Jesus Christ, a person that believes that Jesus is God!

Now, with this in mind, let's continue on and see what else might we might discover to help us put this into perspective. (Dear Reader: Please keep in mind that this topic is much more extensive than we can delve into here, but you are certainly invited to pursue it in more depth as you wish!)

All of the religions of the world focus on what man can do to make amends for his own shortcomings. This is called work. This is man's effort to reach God. Christianity is the opposite of religion. It is a relationship with God. In Christianity, God, because of His love for us, came to us in the virgin birth of Jesus.

In the beginning of the Bible we are told how God created the world, how He created mankind in His own image. This is the image/ability of mankind to think, reason, understand, and have emotions. Yes, the world is created by God. It is impossible for something to come from nothing and it is even more impossible for life to come from non-life. The Bible tells us that mankind was created for fellowship with God, to have a relationship with God in the Image that God created us.

As we all know, Adam and Eve disobeyed God and sinned. Sin separated now sinful mankind from the Holy God. The Earth is a fallen place where sin is being lived out in disobedience, sickness and death, all at the displeasure of God. Heaven is where God's will is being obeyed and Heaven is out of the presence of disobedience, sickness, sin and death. 

This is where Jesus comes in. Jesus being God, He created us, yet man's sin has separated us from God. In time, God took on the form of a man (became a physical man). In His body Jesus/God gave Himself and died on the cross, dying in the physical so we can now have a Spiritual relationship with God. Three days later Jesus rose from death (showed Himself to be alive). Jesus is now alive and in a spiritual body. The Bible tells us that our physical eyes cannot see the spirit/heavenly realm, just as we cannot see microwaves though they exist.

Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world." John 18:36 Jesus is referring to His kingdom where man is reunited with God in the Holy Spirit. A Christian is a person who acknowledges their own human sinful nature and accepts the Love of God to die on a cross for us. Being God, He then resurrected from death and currently is reuniting us into a living, spiritual life with Himself/God.

I recall a story about a man who had to cross a wide river on the ice. He was afraid it might be too thin, so he began to crawl on his hands and knees in great terror. He thought he might fall through at any moment. Just as he neared the opposite shore, totally exhausted, another man glided past him nonchalantly sitting on a sled loaded with iron ingots.

How like some Christians! Headed for Heaven, they tremble at every step for fear that the divine promises might break under their feet. By resting completely upon Him and taking His promises at face value, we can drive out the paralyzing fear that hinders our effectiveness in serving Christ.

Scripture: 1 John 2:6;1 Corinthians 11:1; 1 Peter 2:21; John 14:15; Ephesians 5:1-2; Romans 8:29; Galatians 3:27; Philippians 2:5; 2 Corinthians 2:14

Now, let's pray...

O Father, give us the humility which realizes its ignorance, admits its mistakes, recognizes its need, welcomes advice, accepts rebuke. Help us always to praise rather than to criticize, to sympathize rather than to discourage, to build rather than to destroy, and to think of people at their best rather than at their worst. This we ask for in thy name's sake. Amen

Until next time...

Have a blessed week!

Bibi