There are many misconceptions in the world about what it means to “Be a Christian.” Most of them go something like this:
“Isn’t being a Christian about following religious rules or morals?“
“Being a Christian is just about how you were raised.”
“I thought being a Christian was the same as just being a good person?!”
And these are just a few of them…
Although the above misconceptions are loosely associated with Christianity, being a Christian at its core isn’t about any of these things. Being a Christian is about upholding the Bible as God’s Word and embracing what it says about who God is, what God has done, and what God says about mankind.
Consider the following fundamental truths from the Bible and how they are explained by Pastor John Macarthur from Grace Community Church in California.
Biblical Truth #1 - God Is the Sovereign Creator
Contemporary thinking says man is the product of evolution. But the Bible says we were created by a personal God to love, serve, and enjoy endless fellowship with Him. The New Testament reveals it was Jesus Himself who created everything (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16). Therefore, He also owns and rules everything (Psalm 103:19). That means He has authority over our lives and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship.Biblical Truth #2 - God Is Holy
God is absolutely and perfectly holy (Isaiah 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.Biblical Truth #3 - Mankind Is Sinful
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 (Romans 3:10-12).Biblical Truth #4 - Sin Demands a Penalty
God's holiness and justice demand that all sin be punished by eternal death (Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 6:23). That's why simply changing our patterns of behavior can't solve our sin problem or eliminate its consequences.Biblical Truth #5 - 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 Peter 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 Corinthians 5:21), thereby enabling Him to forgive and save those who place their faith in Him (Romans 3:26).Biblical Truth #6 - The Character of 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 Thessalonians 1:9), pursue Christ (Matthew 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 (Ephesians 2:10).
“SO, HOW CAN I BECOME A CHRISTIAN?”
Since Jesus’ death on the CROSS is how He purchased salvation for anyone who puts their faith in Him, we’ll use the word “CROSS” to explain how anyone can become a Christian.
C — Confess — Confess to God that you are a sinner. One who is “dead in the trespasses and sins,” one who has broken God’s perfect law, and therefore, one who deserves God’s wrath and punishment. Confess to God you have sinned by disobeying His commandments and that, because of your sin, you are dead and there is nothing you can do to restore your relationship with God. (Ephesians 2:1-3, Romans 3:23, 6:23, & 10:9-10)
R — Repent — To repent means “to turn.” Repentance is turning away from your sin and turning to God. In faith, you humbly ask God to forgive you of your sin and you trust in Christ alone for your salvation because of what He did for you on the cross. (Mark 1:15, John 3:16, Acts 3:19 & 20:21, 2 Corinthians 7:10)
O — Obey — At the center of all of this is obedience to God’s command to repent of our sin and to believe the gospel. This obedience flows into the bottom 2 points as your life begins to be transformed by the good and perfect will of God. (Romans 6:17-18 & 12:1-2)
S — Surrender — This is giving up all you know of yourself to all that you know of Jesus. All of your goals, your desires, your ambitions, your decisions are now crucified on the cross with Jesus. In return, He gives you true joy and life found only in Himself. (Romans 6:13, Galatians 2:20)
S — Submit — Jesus calls you to commit every day of your life to follow Him no matter what it may cost you or where it may lead you. Submitting your life to Christ is the most natural result of salvation for everyone who truly believes. (Luke 9:27 & 14:25-35, Matthew 8:18-22 & 28:18-20, Titus 3:4-8)