A real Christian knows that Christianity is a heavenly culture and must be absorbed by the soul to become a valid citizen of the kingdom of God.
The popular Wikipedia.org defines Christianity as an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.
It further describes it as one of the largest religions in the world. Yet, in the real sense, Christianity is more than just a religion. It is the way of life of the heavenly kingdom.
Christianity goes beyond perceiving Jesus Christ as an entity. He was an ambassador of heaven on earth whose mission is the redemption of lost souls. He also lived to teach and show us by example how to live the heavenly life.
Remember, Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6
During his lifetime on earth, Jesus painstakingly taught us, by example, how to live the perfect life.
He was busy preparing us for life in the kingdom of God, as clearly stated in the book of John 14:1-31. And, as a good leader, he not only taught us in his words but also in his every action.
Therefore, Christianity should not be regarded as merely a religion. It is clearly the only way of life of the heavenly kingdom designed by God and sent through Jesus Christ as an ambassador of heaven on earth, to train and prepare us for the rapture when we will be welcomed into God’s kingdom as a citizen of heaven. Philippians 3:20-21
Jesus Christ made it too clear on this part when he replied to his disciples in the book of John 14:2: "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."
Who is a Christian?
A Christian is anybody who accepts the salvation of Christ Jesus, the Holy Spirit of God, and chooses to live the life of Christ Jesus at all times, adhering to the Holy Spirit's daily calling.
A real Christian knows that Christianity is a heavenly culture and must be absorbed by the soul to become a valid citizen of the kingdom of God. Being a Christian is not about how many times you go to church, how many times you pay your tithes, or how much you celebrate Easter, Christmas, or lent.
Many people think they are Christians because they are ministers in the house of God, or they are sons, daughters, or spouses to the pastor, but it takes more than your church activities and attendance at Bible studies, crusades, and other events in the name of Christianity to be a valid Christian.
The only thing that qualifies you to be a Christian is your surrender to Christ, crucifying your life to walk in Christ-like life.
A Christian is not just one who reads the Bible daily or preaches. These are tasks that even the devil himself can do better. After all, anyone can read the Bible and teach the Bible, but a Christian is one who is a Bible to everyone around him.
A true Christian is a person whose life is a living and walking testament of Christ and the heavenly kingdom.
As a true Christian, you are to be a beacon in the darkness around you. Your life should shine the Light of God to attract people to Him, abstaining from the influences of the world that would dim your light.
Now that we know what Christianity truly means, and who a real Christian is, let us talk about what it entails to be a Christian.
Being a Christian means we must:
1. Strive to Live a Holy Life
To be a Christian, you must abide by the direction as seen in the books of 2 Corinthians 7:1, where we are admonished to purify ourselves from all the filthiness of the body and spirit.
We are also taught to perfect our holiness in the fear of God. 1 Peter 1:15-16 also says we should be holy just as God who has called us is holy.
From the moment we give our lives to Christ Jesus and choose to walk in his path, we have become set apart from the nations to be God’s own. Therefore, we must be holy unto him, just as he, too, is holy.
And what better way to be holy than to keep God's commands just as instructed in 1 John 2:3-4.
2. Actively Walking and Living by Faith in Christ Jesus
Among the traits that make a Christian different from every other person around him is his ability to live by faith.
Faith is what brings about salvation Ephesians 2:8-9, and it is confirmed in the books of 2 Corinthians 5:7, that we walk by faith and not by the things we see.
To be a Christian, you must be willing to live by faith because God is a faithful God who wants us to always trust in him only, and it is only through faith that we can please Him (Hebrews 11:6).
3. Living in Love and Showing Love to Everyone Always
Love is the greatest commandment God gave to us, and it is the only way we can coexist peacefully with one another.
God himself showed love. He is love, and 1 John 4:16 tells us that whoever lives in love lives in God and God lives in them.
To be a Christian, we must learn to live in love with everyone around us. This makes it easy for us to overlook their shortcomings, easily forgive one another, and live in peace and harmony, as indicated in 1 Peter 4:8.
4. Open-minded to the Voice and Leading of the Holy Spirit
To be a Christian is not just by professing Christ with our lips, but to be able and willing to open our hearts and mind to the voice of the Holy Spirit.
We must be willing to dwell in the Spirit at all times and not obsess over or be enticed by worldliness. 1 John 2:15-17
Listening to the directions of the Holy Spirit at all times is the only way we can be in tune with the wisdom of God because, just as Jesus explained in the book of John 14:26, the Holy Spirit will teach us all things.
5. Live the Life of Christ
Finally, to be a true Christian, you must be willing to set aside your old ways and begin to live the life of Christ. This is usually the most difficult part for many people because the life and ways of Christ are a direct contradiction to the worldly lifestyle.
Anyone who wants to follow Christ Jesus must be ready to let go of all the worldly pleasures and be willing to live a holy life.
Christianity is more than just an earthly religion as the world perceives it.
It is a heavenly way of life, a culture brought down to earth by Jesus Christ and taught to everyone who is redeemed and willing to be a candidate of God’s heavenly kingdom.
The sole purpose of Christianity is to correct the wrong ways of the world and prepare us for the coming of the kingdom of God so that we can be fit to dwell in his kingdom eternally, John 3:16.
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