Being a Christian is more than identifying with a particular religion, affirming a certain value system, or believing we can work ourselves into right standing before God. Being a Christian means we have believed what the Bible says about God, mankind, and the free gift of salvation through Christ alone. Consider the following truths found in the Bible.
God is Sovereign Creator and Holy
Contemporary thinking says man is the product of evolution, but the Bible says we were created by a personal God to love and serve Him and to enjoy endless fellowship with Him. The New Testament reveals that it was Jesus Himself who created everything (John 1:3; Col. 1:16). Therefore, He also owns and rules everything (Ps. 103:19). That means He has authority over our lives, and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship.
God is absolutely and perfectly holy (Isa. 6:3); therefore, He cannot commit or approve of evil (James 1:13). God requires holiness of us as well. First Peter 1:16 says, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
Mankind is Sinful and Sin Demands a Penalty
According to Scripture, everyone is guilty of sin: “There is no man who does not sin” (1 Kings 8:46). That doesn't mean we're incapable of performing acts of human kindness, but we're utterly incapable of understanding, loving, or pleasing God on our own (Rom. 3:10-12).
God's holiness and justice demand that all sin be punished by eternal death (Ezek. 18:4; Rom. 6:23). That's why simply changing our patterns of behavior can't solve our sin problem or eliminate its consequences.
Jesus is Lord and Savior
Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.” Even though God's justice demands death for sin, His love has provided a Savior who paid the penalty and died for sinners (1 Pet. 3:18). Christ's death satisfied the demands of God's justice, and Christ's perfect life satisfied the demands of God's holiness (2 Cor. 5:21), thereby enabling Christ to forgive and save those who place their faith in Him (Rom. 3:26).
Believers must respond with true saving faith
True faith is always accompanied by repentance from sin. Repentance is agreeing with God that you are sinful, confessing your sins to Him, and making a conscious choice to turn from sin (Luke 13:3, 5; 1 Thess. 1:9), pursue Christ (Matt. 11: 28-30; John 17:3), and obey Him (1 John 2:3). It isn't enough to believe certain facts about Christ. Even Satan and his demons believe in the true God (James 2:19), but they don't love and obey Him. True saving faith always responds in obedience (Eph. 2:10).
The beauty of this saving Gospel is that it is “not a result of works, so that no one may boast,” but of a Sovereign God (Eph. 2:1-10).
God is Sovereign Creator and Holy
Contemporary thinking says man is the product of evolution, but the Bible says we were created by a personal God to love and serve Him and to enjoy endless fellowship with Him. The New Testament reveals that it was Jesus Himself who created everything (John 1:3; Col. 1:16). Therefore, He also owns and rules everything (Ps. 103:19). That means He has authority over our lives, and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship.
God is absolutely and perfectly holy (Isa. 6:3); therefore, He cannot commit or approve of evil (James 1:13). God requires holiness of us as well. First Peter 1:16 says, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
Mankind is Sinful and Sin Demands a Penalty
According to Scripture, everyone is guilty of sin: “There is no man who does not sin” (1 Kings 8:46). That doesn't mean we're incapable of performing acts of human kindness, but we're utterly incapable of understanding, loving, or pleasing God on our own (Rom. 3:10-12).
God's holiness and justice demand that all sin be punished by eternal death (Ezek. 18:4; Rom. 6:23). That's why simply changing our patterns of behavior can't solve our sin problem or eliminate its consequences.
Jesus is Lord and Savior
Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.” Even though God's justice demands death for sin, His love has provided a Savior who paid the penalty and died for sinners (1 Pet. 3:18). Christ's death satisfied the demands of God's justice, and Christ's perfect life satisfied the demands of God's holiness (2 Cor. 5:21), thereby enabling Christ to forgive and save those who place their faith in Him (Rom. 3:26).
Believers must respond with true saving faith
True faith is always accompanied by repentance from sin. Repentance is agreeing with God that you are sinful, confessing your sins to Him, and making a conscious choice to turn from sin (Luke 13:3, 5; 1 Thess. 1:9), pursue Christ (Matt. 11: 28-30; John 17:3), and obey Him (1 John 2:3). It isn't enough to believe certain facts about Christ. Even Satan and his demons believe in the true God (James 2:19), but they don't love and obey Him. True saving faith always responds in obedience (Eph. 2:10).
The beauty of this saving Gospel is that it is “not a result of works, so that no one may boast,” but of a Sovereign God (Eph. 2:1-10).