What is a Chrstian?

I feel at this point in time necessary to define what it means to be a Christian. I have read the opinions of many people that claim to be a Christian and what their idea of that is. But a Christian must share certain beliefs to be able to embrace Christ as their Savior and the Bible as the Word of God. I found a copy of the Nicene Creed, which is a universally accepted definition of Christian faith by all denominations.

The Nicene Creed:
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.

Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.

And I believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

I may not call myself a Catholic, but in this case the word "catholic" refers not to the Roman Catholic Church, but to the universal church of the Lord Jesus Christ. And I agree with everything that creed says. If there are parts of that statement you don't agree with I think you may have a few things to work out between you and God, because that is what a Christian believes.

Also the Christian should be a person who loves their neighbor as them self and loves the Lord their God with all their heart, mind, and soul (Matthew 22:37-40). And a person who does not judge, for in the same way you judge someone you will be judged yourself. We need to look at our own sin and take care of that before we start pointing out the wrong doings of others (Matthew 7:1-5). We also know that "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17) So we should be looking to the Word of God for help when instructing others in the way they should live... just remember that the final judgement of a man's heart is up to God. You do not know the condition of another person's heart, only God does, as the Lord told Samuel... he does not look at the outward appearance of man, as we do, but looks at his heart (1 Samuel 16:7). And the final judgement is not up to you, but up to God (Romans 2:16) We should be thankful that we do not have to decide who is truly repentant and saved and who isn't, because many times we would be wrong! You may be surprised who you will see again in Heaven and who you won't see.

As a Christian we also realize that "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) And our only hope is the salvation provided to us through Jesus Christ death and resurrection on the cross. This is because he did not sin (Romans 8:3 and 1 Peter 2:22) and kept the law of God in every way. We needed Jesus to be the ultimate sacrifice to cover our sins. And there is only one way to be saved, repent of your sins and receive Jesus as your Saviour by believing in Him (Acts 4:12 and Acts 16:31)... not by living a "good" life or by doing your best. Our best won't cut it. And being a "good person" won't do it either.

No one is saved by being "religious" (that is why I don't like that word very much), we are only saved by knowing the One True God! Ephesians 2:8 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." Also, Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life: no man comes to the Father but by me." (John 14:6) And remember, if you think that you cannot reach out to God for your salvation, "The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth." (Psalm 145:18) And you are not "too sinful" to be saved, Jesus said "... whoever comes to me I will never drive away." (John 6:37)

If you are not a Christian and would like to be saved then pray to God. Confess your sins to Him, acknowledge that your sins are evil in His sight and acknowledge that you do not have the power to save yourself. Ask Jesus to help you repent and believe. Ask him to save you, and ask him to be the Lord of your life. Then trust God that He hears your prayers because of Jesus Christ and according to the promises He makes in the Bible, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13) Once you have prayed for your salvation tell someone that you know who is a Christian that you have prayed to God to be saved or find a church and tell someone there what you have done.