Are you a "Christian?"

If you ask people the question "Are you a Christian?" The majority of them will probably say yes. Reasons given vary like..."I go to church," "I am a good person," "I try to follow the ten commandments," "I believe in God," or "I was baptized when I was...you fill in the blank. All of these answers are wrong, so wrong! It really makes my heart heavy to know that so many people really think they are a "Christian," and then you look at the life they live and have to scratch your head and wonder. People that say they are a Christian, yet live like the rest of the world--and are not any different. They are dishonoring the name of Christ. He died once for all and set you free from the life you used to live. In Christ, you are set apart...separate from the ways of the world even though you live in the world."What shall we say then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; HOW CAN WE LIVE IN IT ANY LONGER? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized in Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, WE TOO MAY LIVE A NEW LIFE." Romans 6:1-4 Now I am by no means judging anyone by saying those things, I am simply stating the fact that if you are saved, you WILL produce fruit. When God places His Spirit in you, the transformation begins. This transformation is a process that continues throughout your life. God continues to grow you in Him as you seek Him and read His word. Hopefully, you can look back on your life and say, I am not who I once was. My thoughts are not what they once were, my habits are not what they used to be, the friends I hang out with strengthen me in my faith and I make different choices...choices that glorify the Lord. When God saves you, He removes the veil that was over your eyes. You see everything in a whole new perspective-God's perspective. People that are not truly saved cannot understand this-they do not have spiritual discernment. To believe on the Lord Jesus is to put your life upon Him. It is not simply saying the words "I believe Jesus and that He died on the cross for my sins." Even the demons believe and they actually tremble. People want to be saved from hell, but they don't want to "give up" their habits and their lifestyle...however, if you read God's word, you will see that being saved is submitting your will to God's will. It is giving Him everything, not just some things. It is living life for Him-not for you! He created us for Him and His glory. Our life is no longer our own. We realize that God is in control of every single detail in our life. He is sovereign. He is mighty. He is powerful. He is holy. He is faithful. He is just. He is loving and He is our provider. We will sin, but it is not the habitual sin that we once lived in. Sin no longer has dominion over us. Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world. We have the power living in us as a Christ follower to overcome temptation, but when we do fail, we confess our sins before the Lord and He will forgive us. 1 John 1:9 None of us "have arrived." We are all a work in progress. The key is to trust Jesus with your life--that means everything...your marriage, your family, your job, your friends, your spending and all your decisions. It is leaning on Him every moment, not just when things are bad. The Bible tells us "by their fruit you will recognize them." Matthew 7:16 I am asking that you "examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you-unless of course you fail the test." 2 Corinthians 13:5 Ask God to reveal Himself to you, to show you if you truly belong to Him....He WILL do this.

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