What Is Christianity?
I'm certain this is a question to which the answer is not often explained, and is often misanswered by the world and sometimes even Christians themselves. People tend to think Christianity is more of a political platform, or even a social movement and I say that these are not what Christianity truely is. Christianity is the relationship with God through Jesus Christ, God's only son. Through this personal relationship with God, we should naturally have an outflow that will affect what we do to help others and even how we handle politics, but the relationship is the key point. Now as to what it takes to become a Christian, for those who feel God's calling but don't know what it takes, well that I believe can be described in three basic points.
The first point is that we must realize our sinful nature. None of us are without sin in our lives, and most anyone who is honest with themselves can't deny this. I say this not as downplaying anyone at all, but come by my own experience. Despite all I tried, I still failed in my attempts to be the best person I could be. While we may not like the term sin, I would be inclined to ask who out there has done something wrong? It could be cheating on a test or lying to parents, anything at all small or large. I am certain that nobody can say they haven't done something wrong in there life, including myself, and something regarded as utterly wrong can be used as the definition of sin.
The second point is that we need to ask God for forgiveness for our sins. This is the key point of being a Christian, is the acting upon the realization that we are in the need for a savior. This savior is none other that Jesus Christ, God's only son. We can say we're sinful and that we're no good, but if we leave it there all that does is bring us down to a point where we see no point in living at all. This is where God's forgiveness will bring us up and make us realize that there is hope for the hopeless. By doing this it restores the connection between us and God, through the blood of Christ. God wants none of us to be without Him, but He is not going to force Himself on us, so if you feel yourself knowning you're not right in what you do, ask Christ into your heart to forgive you.
The last point is to continue to follow God's Word and to change from what is not of God's approval. Perhaps this is the hardest thing to do out of all three. It's one thing to know we're wrong and the God is there to forgive us through Christ, but it's another thing to change our life from how it was and to set it according to God's will. However one must pause and ask, if God has the power to create the universe, to forgive us, and to set the standard of what is right is wrong, then doesn't He hold some weight into how we live our lives? I would say so, sure the change isn't always going to be easy or quick, but it is something that must be done, or else admitting you are sinful and asking for forgive ultimately got you nowhere. If you say you're sorry and ask for forgiveness from someone who you've done wrong to, will you go right out and do the same thing, or will you change what your actions are to that peron? I think the answer is obvious there, so should it not be the same way with God?
Now I realize I leave a lot open for questions and doubts, but I urge you not to go by what I say alone. If you are currently going to a church and have not accepted Christ, ask your pastor or someone else you know who has accepted Christ. If you are not currently going to a church, I encourage you to, and to find one that is welcoming and loving, and to ask a pastor or fellow member about it. I also encourage you to get, read and study the Bible, if you don't already. I just hope this helps anyone who is out there feeling God's calling in their life.
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