A Christian is an individual who has placed their trust in the finished
work of Jesus Christ on the cross on their behalf. The significance of this has eternal ramifications due to its supernatural implications.
A Christian is credited with Christ's merits of perfect righteousness, whilst
Jesus is credited with the imperfections of lawlessness of the believer; this is called imputation. Christ takes the punishment, the believer inherits reward (Ephesians 1:5-14).
Since the Christian is joined with
Jesus'
death they are joined with His resurrection which is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), the sin nature put to
death and the new nature birthed and grown through sanctification (holiness) onto glorification (Heaven). This is what it means to be born again as
Jesus spoke of in John 3:7.
Being Born again is a state of being, a supernatural transfiguration which is known as regeneration (Titus 3:5).
Christians live to bring Glory to God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Christians understand that the
Bible is the primary means of God revealing Himself to the individual and thus the measuring stick to all life's dissensions and actions (John 17:17, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ).
Christians earnestly await
Jesus' return to judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:31 , Philippians 3:20-21) . Those who reject God's gift and command of reconciliation are condemned to everlasting torment whilst those who submit to His will are exalted with everlasting life (
Matthew 25:41,
Matthew 23:11-12).
How do you know you are a Christian?
- I have recognized my need for redemption as a result of me breaking the law of God and have received His free gift of reconciliation by
grace through
faith in the life and
work of Jesus Christ the God-man on the cross.
What must I do to become a Christian?
-Repent and believe the Gospel.
