Thoughts from a Random Mind

                  My wife just told me they did an on the street interview with passersby and asked if the people knew just what Socialism was. No one knew. It caused me to wonder how many people know just what a Christian is. So the question would start by asking the individual if they were a Christian. I would guess that many folks would say “Yes”. If I next asked them exactly what a Christian was I believe I’d get a variety of responses. Everything from “Someone who does good”, to “Someone who goes to church and believes in God”. Would it surprise you to know that neither of those responses is correct? 

                  The two above responses represent what a Christian DOES, but not what a Christian IS. Yes, a Christian does believe in God, and they should find a home church to feed their spirit, but a Christian is something altogether different. A Christian is a person who not only believes in the existence of God, but also that Jesus of Nazareth was His Son. A true Christian has accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior and had their sins completely removed from them, never to be held against them ever again. A Christian submits to the will of God for their life with the assistance of the Holy Spirit. THAT is what a Christian is. 

You see, it’s not JUST believing in God or Jesus, but allowing that belief to transform you from the inside out. Going to church and worshipping the Lord with fellow believers is a privilege for us in America. That privilege isn’t allowed in many other countries, where folks are arrested and / or martyred for their faith. 

It’s not doing good, because without our commitment to Christ there is nothing of any eternal value that we could ever do FOR God. Jesus said no one is good, only His Father in heaven. (Mark 10:18) In other words, no one can be good enough to please God. He sets the standard; we need to follow and obey. That’s not dictatorial in nature, like Adolf Hitler, or Joseph Stalin, for God operates based on LOVE, as in His love for His entire creation. With a dictator, you would have to follow; it would be mandatory. 

Knowing all that can be known enables the Lord to know exactly what path will lead us to peace, and hope for the future. Knowing God intimately gives us the opportunity to emulate Christ and prosper (even as our soul prospers – 3 John 1:2). Prosperity doesn’t always translate into riches, but rather spiritual prosperity. Living a life that is pleasing to our Creator actually has NOTHING to do with wealth, even though having wealth is certainly not a bad thing. It all depends on how you got your wealth and what you do with it. 

Hopefully I’ve cleared up what a Christian IS. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to send them my way via the Comment section. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries