Tuesday, March 1, 2011

What does it mean to be a Christian?

The obvious answer to the question, “what does it mean to be a Christian?” is one who follows the teachings of and pledges allegiance to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. When I was in college, at OVC, we had a Campus Minister who loved to sing the song:

I am a C
I am a C-H
I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N
And I have C-H-R-I-S-T
In my H-E-A-R-T
And I will L-I-V-E E-T-E-R-N-A-L-L-Y

I can recall another professor and basketball coach who drove a Ford Torus station wagon and had a bumper sticker that read: “I’m not perfect; I’m just forgiven.” Here are a few more quotes I found on what it means to be a Christian:

When I say that 'I am a Christian', I am not shouting that 'I am clean living. I'm whispering 'I was lost, but now I'm found and forgiven.'

When I say 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride. I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong. I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success. I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect. My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou, I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow!

The Apostle Paul said it this way, “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:10,11).

What about you? What does it mean to you to be a Christian? Let me know what you think.

~CD