what is a christian?

The word “Christian” is used by different people in many ways (eg “a good person”, a description of a whole country, a person who goes to church, etc).  This can sometimes be confusing!  A bit of history helps here.  People were first called “Christians” in the first Century in a the place we now call Turkey.   And they were called Christians because they were followers of Jesus Christ.  So the term has never been a racial term, nor has it been a reference to morality or goodness in the first instance.  It has always been about following Jesus.

 

Following Jesus

Learning to follow Jesus is a life-time of learning and living, but put very simply, it is to come before Jesus Christ, recognising four things.

· God is Awesome. It is recognising that God is God, whose power and authority are way greater than ours.  He is our maker, and so we owe him everything, whether we know it or not!

· We Need to Change. It is recognising our failures to live the way he designed us to live.  We have all turned against him, either by simply ignoring him or by actively doing things he doesn’t want us to do.  So we need to admit this to him, and ask for his forgiveness and for his help in changing our attitudes and actions.  This change is called repentance (turning back).

· We Need to Trust. It is recognising that God is kind and generous beyond our dreams, and that he will forgive us when we come to him with an attitude of repentance, and we trust that he will.  We know that he can, and we know that he is willing because, some 2000 years ago, Jesus came into our world to take the punishment for all our wrong-doing.   When he died on the cross, it was for our salvation. We can add nothing to it, but just accept it and thank him!  This is one of the key elements of faith. 

· We Need to Obey. It is recognising that as forgiven people, we belong to Jesus now.  He has effectively bought us with his blood shed on the cross, so we are his.  The very least we can do is to seek to praise him with our words and with our lives.  This is where and why morality and goodness fit in.  It is to follow Jesus daily.

There is much more that could be added, but this is a starting point.  

 

But this helps us understand why Church is such a big deal.  Having his people meet together in His name is God’s idea.  He wants us to do it!  God gives his forgiven people gifts and abilities to build each other up and help each other be better followers.  In particular, he gives us pastors and teachers to strengthen God’s people for works of service.  And so our church exists to bring Jesus praise and honour, by seeking to live as a community in the way he intends.

If you would like to find out more about what being a Christian is, go to our links page where you will find some helpful websites.  Church is a great place to talk to someone about any questions you may have, or we can arrange to meet at another time.  In the meantime, have a read through Mark’s Gospel.  It is best to read a modern translation such as the New International Version.  If you don't have one, you can find one on-line.  See our links page.