What does it mean to be "a Christian"?

A Christian is one who follows Christ... one who can say, "Jesus is Lord."

Perhaps the most important word in the Christian faith is "love."

The Gospel of John, chapter 3, verse 16, says "For God so loved the world that he gave his only son (Jesus), so that whoever puts his/her trust in him will be saved." That's pretty simple. Put your faith in Jesus Christ, God's son, and you become a Christian.

Christians talk about going to Heaven when they die. That's a wonderful promise. But it's not all about heaven - life here on earth is enhanced through a relationship with Jesus Christ. One of the things Jesus said when he lived in human form was, "I have come so that they (Jesus' followers) might have life, a full and abundant life." (John 10:10) Jesus spent more time in His earthly life teaching his followers how to live and love others than He did talking about what happens after we die. That's a pretty good indication that He wants us to do the same.

So what does God want of us? He wants a relationship with us. He loves us and cares more for us than we can possibly imagine. God wants us to accept His love, and the path of reconciliation that Jesus created.

And then He wants us to roll up our sleeves and go to work with him: sharing His love with others, putting God's love into action.

Loving God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. Loving others as much as you love yourself. Sharing God's love with others and joining Him in His mission to love the world... that's what being a Christian is all about.

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