What does it mean to be a Christian?
Being a Christian means you recognize that you need Jesus in your life as the God that He is.
“Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.”
There are many people representing themselves as Christians by saying they are Christian but they do not live the lifestyle that Jesus wants them to. This means that they don't have a deep revelation of who Jesus is and what he wants for their lives. It can also display their relationship with Jesus or lack thereof. This is okay.
As some Christians that do live the lifestyle can remember when they too didn't live the way Jesus wanted them to. It is not that they are less of a Christian. It simply means they are still learning. We are custom-made by Jesus Christ. Our relationship with Him is also custom. He counts us all special in our talents, gifts, personalities, looks, flaws, and imperfections.
I am not judging anyone by saying this. Rather, I am pointing out a fact that many Christians do not even know who Christ is.
When you recognize that you need Jesus in your life, He begins to transform you as long as you let Him. You begin to make different lifestyle choices. His ways will start to become your ways.
I love discussing the 7 Apostolic Values to Christianity. This is to help self-reflect on who we are in Christ and where we need to be. (Keep in mind these are not in any kind of order they are all equally important.)
1) Pray. Worship God! Praise Him! Give him the throne over your life.
2) Read the Bible, study the word and seek God in the scriptures.
3) Fast. How can we claim we want more of Jesus and yet allow our carnality more time and effort than Jesus. Rid yourself of yourself and You will be more sensitive to His Spirit.
4) Tithe. Give God your tithes and offering. He didn’t forget to bless you. Give it back to him it belongs to him anyways. He gives and takes away.
5) Attend Church faithfully. Be the keepers of your brothers and sisters. Come together in one mind, on one accord, in one Spirit.
6) Live Spiritually well by avoiding sin.
7) Trust in God.
I look at the 7 values listed above as batteries that need to be charged. Each day if you're not self-reflecting on these 7 values your relationship with the Lord will suffer. The 7 values are in your control. Jesus called us to keep this daily standard in order for us to not stray away from Him.
Ultimately, you have free will and Jesus loves you but understand no matter what level in Christ you are in, there’s always another level you could be striving to reach
“Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.”
“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”
“But he was wounded for our transgressions,
he was bruised for our iniquities:
the chastisement of our peace was upon him;
and with his stripes we are healed.”
