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Am I a Christian?

There are many definitions of what a Christian is. Some say those who go to church and try to live good lives are Christians. Some say that all Americans are Christians because we live in a primarily Christian nation. Some say those who have parents who are Christians are also Christians. To get the correct answer to this question, we need to go back to the source: God and what He has told us is a Christian in His Word, the Bible.

We can begin our definition by asking a revealing question: Do you know for sure that whenever you die that you will spend eternity in heaven with God? The Bible says that a true Christian can answer that question with a definitive yes! Not maybe, or I hope so, but yes! How can anyone say beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are going to heaven? Let’s answer that question by examining what God says in His Word about what makes a person a Christian.

1. God created us to be with Him. (Genesis 1:26 – Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness…”) God’s desire in creating humankind was that we would live in a perfect paradise enjoying perfect fellowship with Him.

2. Our sins separate us from God (Isaiah 59:2 - But there is a problem—your sins have cut you off from God. Because of your sin, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.) The wrong things that we have done (sins) have placed a barrier between humankind and our Creator.

3. Sin cannot be removed by good deeds. (Titus 3:5-He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit) There is nothing we can do through our own efforts that can restore our broken relationship with God.

4. Paying the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4- For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures) Jesus came to earth and lived a perfect life, died a horrible death, and rose from the grave to pay the price for all of the sins of humankind

5. Everyone who trusts in Him alone has eternal life. (John 6:47- I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.) By simply placing our trust in Jesus death and resurrection as our only hope of salvation, we receive the free gift of salvation.

6. Life that’s eternal means we will be with Jesus forever in heaven. (Revelation 22:5-There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.) Those who have placed their trust in Christ have forgiveness of sins and a restored relationship with God forever.

Does that make sense? Have you ever put your complete hope and trust for your eternal destination in the finished work that Jesus accomplished for you on the cross? If you have, then by the definition of God in the Bible, you are a Christian.

If you have not, if you have never realized what Jesus did for you on the cross and how God wishes to give you eternal life as a free gift, then why not right this moment pray to God and put your trust in Jesus. You might want to pray something like this:

"Dear Father, I know that I'm a sinner. I realize that my good deeds will never get me into heaven. Right now I believe that Jesus died in my place for my sins. I trust in Him alone to forgive me for all of my sins. Thank you for your free gift of eternal life."