What is a Christian?

Many people think they know what being a Christian means, but have never actually really thought about it seriously.

 Others are searching for the answer to this question because they genuinely want to know what Christianity is about.

 Please read on to find out about Christianity…..

 What a Christian is not

Perhaps it is useful first of all to think of what is Christian is not.

 ·        Being a Christian is not about where you were born. 

·        Being a Christian is not simply about how you were brought up. 

·        A Christian is not just someone who lives a good life.

·        A Christian is not even just someone who believes in God.

People can be and do all these things and still not be a Christian.

So what is a Christian?

Christianity is all about a relationship.  God wants us to recognise him and have an ongoing relationship with him.  Since the beginning of the world people have failed to enjoy a relationship with God because of their sin.  Sin is a barrier which separates us from a God who is holy and good. Jesus teaches that the greatest commandment is to love God with all our being.  However, we regularly fail to keep this most important commandment because we love other things more than God.

If something does not happen we will continue to be separate from God - for ever. 

But God did do something.

He gave Jesus, his only son to die on a cross to take away our sin.  The cross is the place where our relationship with God is restored.  How?  Jesus took upon himself all the sin which was ours, and paid the penalty for our sin as he died.  The one entirely good person died on the cross out of love for each one of us. 

God’s offer to you now is that if you put your trust in Jesus, you will have your sins forgiven, and you’ll begin a new and exciting relationship with God.  You will know peace with God, and you will have life in all its fullness both here and after death.

So, what do you have to do?

1. Say 'Sorry'

You have to ask God to forgive you for all the wrong things you have done, and turn away from all the things that you know are wrong in your life. This is what the Bible means by repentance.

2. Say 'Thank you'

We believe that Jesus died for us on the cross.  So you need to thank him for dying for you and for the offer of his free gift of forgiveness, freedom and his Spirit.

3. Say 'Please'

God never forces his way into our lives. You need to accept his gift and invite him to come and live within us by his Spirit.

If you would like to become a Christian and have a relationship with God, and are ready to say these three things, then here is a very simple prayer which you can say:

Lord Jesus Christ,

I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life.

(Take a few moments to ask his forgiveness for anything

particular that is on your conscience.)

Please forgive me.

I now turn from everything which I know is wrong.

Thank you that you died on the cross for me

so that I could be forgiven and set free.

Thank you that you now offer me this gift of forgiveness

and your Spirit.

I now receive that gift.

Please come into my life by your Holy Spirit

to be with me for ever.

Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Once you have taken this step of trusting Jesus Christ there are four things you should do:

1. Tell someone else

2. Read the Bible regularly

3. Talk to God in prayer

4. Join a lively church

For more information about Methodism visit www.methodist.org.uk.

For more details about our church please telephone the Minister Revd Terry Keen on 01977-610526

Remember the words of Jesus:

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.'(Luke 11:10)