What the Bible says ♦ Salvation

Living as Christian

Living as christian means more than saying that you are a christian. It is a total dedication to God and his words. Jesus said: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21, NIV) Also, Jesus said: “[...] Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching.[...]” (John 14:23-24, NIV)

Believing in Jesus is more than believing that he exists. Believing in Jesus means obeying his words. The belief in Jesus changes the life of a person, so when someone says he believes in Jesus, this is something that should be seen in every aspect of his life. The belief produces acts in accordance with God's will.

“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” (James 2:17-20, NIV)

Then, living as Christians means loving God more than anything else. God has to always be in the first place, and all other things are less important. You need to have this in mind, because living as christian will probably bring persecutions in your life. Especially in some parts of the world, this persecution will prove to be very tough. Some people who become christians are rejected by their families and their society. Often christians are killed.

Jesus said: “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household. Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:34-39, NIV)

Reading the Bible is mandatory for every believer. This is because we need to know the word of God in order to follow it. Reading the Bible brings an increase in the knowledge of God, and a stronger relationship with God. Reading the Bible is like looking into a mirror, but this mirror shows you not only how you look, but also how you should look in order to be more like Jesus. “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18, NIV)

Another important thing is the church. Christians are meant to meet together with the purpose of glorifying God, praying and preaching the Gospel. This is called fellowship. it is very important for each christian and it should improve the life of each person. Christians are meant to encourage themselves to follow Jesus and obey him. Faith is seen like a plant, which needs to grow and continue to grow. A good church should ensure this spiritual growth of its members. A lonely christian, separated from other believers, has more difficulties in living his life and can be an easy prey for the temptations that fight against us each day.

So, being a christian means being a follower of Jesus. A real follower will prove his faith by his daily acts, and will wait for the day when Jesus will come again!