The Furnace of Affliction

What Does it Mean to Be a Christian?

Christian. Exhibiting a spirit proper to a follower of Jesus Christ. Christlike. A person who believes in Jesus Christ. It is interesting to read these technical definitions of what being a Christian means. However, Christianity is more than just a religion. It is about one's relationship with Jesus. Being a Christian is personal. It begins with admitting our spiritual poverty. We recognize our desperate need for salvation because of our propensity to sin. Being a Christian is more than the intellectual knowledge of God. It is about the heart. Has a transformation taken place? I am passionate about this because I have friends and family who know "about" God, but they don't really "know" Him on a personal, intimate level. Christian parents raised me. There was nothing I didn't "know" about God. Every time they were open for service, I was at church, but I never made a conscious effort to understand what it means to be a Christian. But now, my love for Jesus is genuine. I recommitted my life to Christ almost nine years ago. God has inspired me to share my story to encourage readers to draw nearer to God and seek Him daily. Being a Christian doesn't exempt you from experiencing painful problems. But when you have a genuine relationship with Jesus, you can have hope!