©2001 Charles Darby
Is it a set of rules that we do or not do?
Is it a religion that we belong to? Is it a church roll we have our name
on? Is it a denomination we belong to? Is it
something our parents baptized us into
as a baby? Is it a country be were born in? Is it the color of our skin?
Is it a club we belong to? Does it have to do with the education we have?
Does it have to do with our position in life? Is it the way we were raised?
While all of the above may have somewhat to do with it. I submit it is not any of the above that make us Christians in and of themselves. Some who do all of these things are not a Christian at all.
Some think it has to do with the apparel
we wear, the length of the dress or
sleeves. Others think it has to do with
the length of the hair, etc. Still others
think it is keeping certain rules or regulations.
Some who live a very moral,
disciplined life are not Christians. Some
abstain from things for health reasons but this will not make us a Christian.
Some believe there is a God in heaven that made all things. Some believe there is a place called hell where bad people will go when they die. To be a Christian is much more than this. Even the devil believes this.
Some who believe there is a God; hope to
do enough good things to out weigh
the bad they do, by this they hope God
will be pleased. Maybe He will let them into heaven. Some who are not Christians
tell me they live as well as I do. This should qualify them for heaven?
I would hope they would set their sights higher than this!
Living a good moral life will keep most
out of trouble with the law. Will also,
maybe, keep a marriage from falling apart.
Could cause you to live a longer life on this earth but will not find favor
with God.
The truth of the matter is that none of
the above will please God in and of
themselves. While a Christian will do many
of the above, this will not qualify a
person to live forever with the Lord Himself.
What will it take? I am glad you asked! A BORN AGAIN RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LIVING LORD JESUS CHRIST. God becomes your Father and Jesus is your Elder Brother, High Priest, Savior, Lord and soon returning King. He lives in you by His spirit and is seated at the right hand of His Father to intercede for you. It begins here and become an abiding on going relationship. A relationship like this requires constant fellowship. This is where you get to know Him and He gets to know you. No longer do you just know about Him, now you know Him.
These have been, in the spirit, with Him,
in the garden, in the judgment hall, felt the stripes on His back, felt
the beard being pulled from His face, felt the
humiliation of being spit upon and being
struck by the very ones He came to die for. They have been to the cross
and died with Him. They have been buried with Him and rose with Him to
live with Him and in Him. These are no longer their own but belong body,
soul and spirit to the Lord Jesus Christ! These are now flesh of His flesh
and bone of His bone! (Eph. 5:30)
Jesus said His sheep would know His voice, not just know His word. Do you hear His voice? This requires an abiding relationship. In this relationship He becomes as real to you as the air you breathe or the food you eat. He is as real to you as your husband or wife. Your whole desire is to please Him in all you do. No longer do you try to see how little you can do and still make it. He becomes your life and in Him you live and move and have your very being!
Being a Christian is being in Jesus Christ and Him in you! It is no longer you that lives but rather Christ in you that lives! It is not Christ in heaven but rather Christ in you the hope of Glory! If you abide in this you cannot be lost!
Time is running out. Do you know Him or do you just know about Him?
For instructions on being Born Again click
on banner at top of page.
Thank you for reading.
