Come to Christ; Put Your Faith In Him!

In his book, An Anthropologist on Mars, neurologist Oliver Sacks tells about Virgil, a man who had been blind from early childhood. When he was 50, Virgil underwent surgery and was given the gift of sight. But as he and Dr. Sacks found out, having the physical capacity for sight is not the same as seeing.

Virgil's first experiences with sight were confusing. He was able to make out colors and movements, but arranging them into a coherent picture was more difficult. Over time he learned to identify various objects, but his habits--his behaviors--were still those of a blind man. Dr. Sacks asserts, "One must die as a blind person to be born again as a seeing person. It is the interim, the limbo . . . that is so terrible."

To truly see Jesus and his truth means more than observing what he did or said, it means a change of identity.   -Terry Seufferlein Norman, Oklahoma

Let’s begin with a simple question. What percentage of Americans (using the U.S. as an example) believe in God? You probably won’t be surprised to know that the number is very high. One recent survey puts it at 94%.  That means that almost 19 out of 20 people in the U.S. believe in God. It also means you won’t run into very many atheists at the supermarket.

Let’s try a second question. What percentage of Americans call themselves Christian? That number is also high, but not as high as the number who believe in God. Approximately 83% of those surveyed claim to be Christian.

A study of the poll results suggests something like this. Almost everyone believes in God and most people consider themselves Christian. It appears that for many people being a Christian is primarily a matter of birth ("I’m a fourth-generation Presbyterian.") or church affiliation ("I joined a Baptist church 20 years ago.") or perhaps even of citizenship ("I’m an American and this is a Christian nation so I must be a Christian, right?").

When the question is asked, “Do you consider yourself to be ‘born again’ or evangelical?” the percentage answering yes drops to 37%. Evidently there is a big difference in the minds of many people between being a Christian and being “born again.”

And that brings us to the following question: "What’s the difference between a real Christian and a religious person?" The question itself comes from an unsigned slip of paper turned in during a recent congregational survey. Whoever wrote this question deserves an A+ for creativity and for getting right to the point!

The wording suggests that there is a fundamental difference between being religious and being a “real Christian.” Many people have trouble with that concept because they think that if you are religious, then you must be a “real Christian."

If you asked such people, “Are you a Christian?” they would reply, “I’m a church member” or “ I've been baptized” or “I go to Sunday School” or “I go to Mass every week." But those answers raise another important question. Is being a Christian simply a matter of outward activity?

At this point most of us would instinctively answer no because we've all known people who go through the religious motions and have signed on the dotted line, so to speak, but who don’t act like true Christians ought to act. We all know religious people whose religion seems to be only skin deep. It doesn't touch the weightier matters of justice, kindness, compassion, grace and practical holiness.

That leads me to a very personal question. Here it is: "Am I a real Christian or am I just a religious person?"

It’s one thing to be religious; it’s another thing to be a real Christian.

–A religious person goes through the routine but doesn't have the reality inside.
–A real Christian knows Jesus Christ because he or she has been born again.

What will happen if you are born again?  First, your sins will be forgiven by God (Ephesians 1:7).  Second, you will be given a brand new life-the abundant life Jesus talked about (John 10:10).  Third, you will never face God’s judgment-you will never go to hell (John 3:18).  Fourth, you will be declared “not guilty” and “justified” in the eyes of God (Romans 4:5). Fifth, you can know you are going to heaven when you die (1 John 5:13). All these things are given to you by God the moment you say “Yes” to Jesus Christ.

You must make a personal decision about Jesus Christ. No one can make it for you. Your parents may be godly people but that doesn't make you a Christian. You may have many fine Christian friends, but they cannot believe in your place. When it comes to the new birth, no one can be born again on your behalf. You must come to Christ on your own and put your faith in him as Savior and Lord.

Let’s return one final time to our original question. What’s the difference between a real Christian and a religious person? A religious person has religion; a Christian has been born again through personal faith in Jesus Christ. It’s as simple as that. Religion is good but Jesus is better. And he’s the one who said, “You must be born again.”

Scripture: John 3:3; 1 Corinthians 3:8; Romans 6:6; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23; 1 Peter 1:23; Romans 10:10; Acts 22:16; John 3:36

Prayer: "Father in heaven, I know that I have sinned, and that no amount of good works could ever make up for that. I believe that You love me, and that You send Your son Jesus Christ to die for me. Please forgive me of all my sins. Please come into my heart and teach me how I should live. I offer You my life to use in whatever way that You see fit. I trust that You know what is best for me. Thank You for loving me so much. Change my whole life I pray... in Jesus' name, Amen."

May God bless you!

Amaris