I Am A C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N

According to the Bible a true Christian is:

Ø  a follower or a disciple of Jesus Christ

Ø  a person who has repented

Ø  a person who has been converted

Ø  a person who is saved

Ø  a person who is born again

Ø  a person who has faith in Christ

Ø   a person who is “in Christ”

Ø  a saint, beloved one, or a child of God

There are many other words that could be added to the list.  Christians may talk about “Believers,” “Knowing Christ,” “accepting Christ as your personal savior,” “coming to Christ,” “receiving Christ,” or “taking Christ into your heart.”

Why are there so many different words to describe the Christian experience?  Being a Christian-being born of God through His Son Jesus-is a wonderful spiritual experience.  No words can fully describe it, so the Bible uses many words to help us understand what being a Christian means. 

A Beginning For Converts

Like any birth, becoming a Christian is only the beginning.  A baby may be born healthy, yet never grow up.  Christ wants his followers to keep growing and learning of Him.  Repentance, conversion, salvation, new birth, knowing Christ, faith in Christ, whatever names you use-all these things are just beginnings, too.  They do not happen all at once.  Being a Christian is not simply having a ticket to heaven.  It is the trip there, too.  Growing Christians keep finding new things about themselves, others and God from the Bible.  They find new sins of which to repent or new areas of their lives to commit to God.  Christians are always being saved or healed as Christ mends their lives. Faith in Christ grows stronger in a growing Christian.  Finding Christ is not the end of your search.  It is only the beginning!

1 Corinthians 2:9 reads…

 ⁹ However, as it is written:

“What no eye has seen, 
what no ear has heard, 
and what no human mind has conceived” ^[a]—
the things God has prepared for those who love him—

What a great benefit!