THANK YOU LORD FOR THE CROSS

A dictionary definition of a Christian would be something similar to a person professing belief in Jesus as the Christ or in the religion based on the teachings of Jesus. While this is a good starting point, like many dictionary definitions, it falls somewhat short of really communicating the biblical truth of what it means to be a Christian. The word Christian is used three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). Followers of Jesus Christ were first called Christians in Antioch (Acts 11:26) because their behavior, activity, and speech were like Christ. The word Christian literally means, belonging to the party of Christ or a follower of Christ.

Unfortunately over time, the word Christian has lost a great deal of its significance and is often used of someone who is religious or has high moral values but who may or may not be a true follower of Jesus Christ. Many people who do not believe and trust in Jesus Christ consider themselves Christians simply because they go to church or they live in a Christian nation. But going to church, serving those less fortunate than you, or being a good person does not make you a Christian. Going to church does not make you a Christian anymore than going to a garage makes you an automobile. Being a member of a church, attending services regularly, and giving to the work of the church does not make you a Christian.

The Bible teaches that the good works we do cannot make us acceptable to God. Titus 3:5 says, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. So, a Christian is someone who has been born again by God (John 3:3; John 3:7; 1 Peter 1:23) and has put faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8 tells us that it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

A true Christian is a person who has put faith and trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ, including His death on the cross as payment for sins and His resurrection on the third day. John 1:12 tells us, Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. The mark of a true Christian is love for others and obedience to Gods Word (1 John 2:4, 10). A true Christian is indeed a child of God, a part of Gods true family, and one who has been given new life in Jesus Christ.
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I am the way the truth and the life; NO MAN cometh unto the Father BUT BY ME. — Jesus Christ (John 14:6)
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John 11:25, "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."
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John 6:40, "And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day."
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Satan is a great deceiver, and is deceiving billions today through false religion and ecumenism. Ecumenists say, "God is Love. So let us lay aside our doctrinal differences, and focus on loving and helping one another, as Jesus taught. Let us show the world that love is the answer." Tragically, the Gospel is perverted in ecumenism and people are only converted over to religion instead of the Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing could be more offensive to God. Although God is certainly a God of love, it is never an excuse for sinful compromise with unbelievers. 2nd Corinthians 6:17 states, "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you." "Unclean" refers to anything which is against Biblical teaching. Christians are to SEPARATE from the ungodly, and from those who falsely claim to follow the teachings of the Bible, but do not. Satan and his ministers only APPEAR as being good; but they are evil. When you don't know what you believe, it makes it all that much easier for the Devil to deceive you. Thus, every believer should study the Word of God, learning the truth about various doctrines. The truth is not just for pastors or Bible teachers, it is for every BORN-AGAIN believer.

So keep in mind as you see differing faiths heading towards a one-world religious system, that even Satan claims to be a Christian! Behind all the talk of love and diversity, a diabolic agenda exists--the Beast system is being prepared to receive the Antichrist (2nd Thessalonians 2:9-10). The best way to expose Satan's darkness is to shine the Light of God's Word upon it.

"In whom the god of this world (Satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." -2nd Corinthians 4:4

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