What is a Christian?

Many people, from many walks of life, claim to be Christian. What does being Christian really mean?

I'm sure if you were to ask 10 proclaiming followers of Christ this very question, you could possibly receive 10 very different responses. This is not to say some are correct and others incorrect. People just have very different approaches to explaining there beliefs. Ask a politician how they feel about something and you will probably get a different response on Monday than you will on Tuesday, depending on who else is around and who they are speaking to. It seems to be a fundamental concept of speech. No I'm not trying to say Christians are like politicians, it is my hope a Christian might have a grasp on truth. We should probably hope to place a basic idea of Christianity into the mind of the one asking in order to have their heart open to understanding the meaning of following Christ, to gain life.

I believe Billy Joel stated in the song only the good die young. Back when he was still somebody by societies standards, “I've laughed with the sinners, cried with the saints, I tell ya the sinners are much more fun.” Well thank you very much Mr. Joel for the very open and honest assessment that Christians are indeed fun. What do I mean by that? Let's take a real and investigative look into my logic here. Christ stated, there are none good. Paul said, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Show me someone who says they don't sin., I'll show you a liar and in effect, a sinner. See how much fun we are having?

Let's take a look at what Paul tells the Galatians about what it means to be a follower of Christ.  We are going to be looking at Galatians 5: 16-26, vss 16,17, Here we see Paul is saying to walk in the Spirit, not in the flesh, because the two are opposed to one another. In vss 19-21 he explains what the desires of the flesh are. Immorality, impurity, envy, dissension to name a few. These are the character traits, which are fostered by living in the flesh and all are pointed out to us in the law of Moses, which in turn leads us to our need for a savior. Now we come to vss 22, 23, we see here the character traits of walking in the Spirit. Love, joy, patience, kindness, faithfulness, etc. Against these he says, there is no law. Why is there no law? Because all of these come from accepting Jesus Christ as our savior. No law, because what the law was meant to do was point out our need for a savior

and these come from accepting our savior, turning our life over to Him and crucifying the flesh. This is exactly what vss 24 -26 say. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with it's passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another. (NASB) This does not come from self motivation or desire. None of us can do this on our own. We must be born again, indwelt by the Spirit and walk in the Spirit to ever hope for a chance, of being blessed with the fruit of the Spirit.

Step aside from selfish ambition, the hallmark of the flesh. The foolishness of boasting, the emptiness of envy. Boasting and envy the two ends of pride. So you see the flesh and the Spirit are in direct opposition with each other. Which are you more drawn to? Immorality, jealousy, anger, envy. Or faith, hope, love, joy and peace. We all have our feet on both sides of the line. I have stated many times that this world is a battle ground. How about if for now we view it as a tug of war match? The line is drawn, the rope laid out. Joshua 24:15 says choose this day, we all have a choice to make and it is very much life impacting. So make your choice! Which side of the line will you pull from?

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matt 11:28-30 (ESV)

Have you made your choice? Do you have hold of your rope? Okay then, ready? ….. PULL!