What Does it Mean to Be a Christian?

Good morning! I have some thoughts that have been ruminating around in my head the past few days and I would like to share them with you. What does it mean to be a Christian, a Christ follower if you will? I can say with certainty what it is not. You are not a Christ follower because you are an American or a patriot. You are not a Christ follower because you are an Oklahoman or raised in the Bible Belt. You are not a Christian because your family is, or because you read these texts in the morning, or listen to christian music. Going to church, nope that doesn’t do it either. None of those things, being a good person or doing good things….. not even those things makes you a Christian. None of those things will buy you favor with God or get you into Heaven. You are no better than the murderer sitting in death row to God. Romans 6:16 says that we re salves of the one whom we obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience which leads to righteousness. We all have sinned and we can only measure ourselves against Jesus who was without sin. If we do that, we deserve Hell and serve Satan. But, while you were still a sinner, Christ died for you. If you have faith in that and live for Him, you are justified in that faith. Through him we have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God! But here is the thing I have been thinking about. It’s not a one time decision and you have a get out of Hell free card. You don’t get to say a prayer and then go about your life. That’s just fire insurance. I see that all around me and it is so sad because so many are losing out on the amazing life they could be having! They “say” they are Christians yet they are still serving Satan each and every day. Being a Christian is a daily practice. I didn’t stand in front of a minister and vow to live my life married to my spouse and then go back to my own home and continue as I was before. I moved into a life WITH him. I made a life WITH him. Being a Christian is the same thing. It is a daily surrender to walk WITH Christ. We can daily serve one of two Gods. We are a slave to either Satan or Christ in each and every action. We decide that. How do I know my husband? I spend time with him and I “know” him. How do I know Christ? I talk to Him. Did I know Him on day 1 or even day 50? Nope. But it came. I read his word. And every time I opened His word I asked the Holy Spirit to open my eyes to my heart and change me and make me more like Jesus. And He Did. And He still is, and I have a loooooong way to go. As a husband and wife can only know one another after years of a life well spent, you will know Christ after time serving and getting to know Him. You give your job at least 40 hours a week. You give your phone, your tv, your yard, games, so many things your time. What have they given you? Christ died for you so that you would have a chance to not spend eternity in Hell. How much time are you giving Him? This is not to make you feel guilty. This is not to pressure you. I have shared my thoughts for months with you now and wanted to share these as they have been bouncing around. I pray you have a great day and that it is a great start to a great week. I am here if you need me!