"What is Christianity all about? What does it mean to be a Christian?" There are many, many different responses which have been put forward over the years. It seems to us that the best place to look is the Bible. It's surprisingly simple. In fact, Christianity can be summarized by looking carefully at just one verse of the New Testament:
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." (John 3.16)
There are three points which need to be made from this famous verse:
1) The Christian faith begins with God. "For God so loved the world ..."
So many of us think we are the most important people! That life is best interpreted from our own personal perspective. Christians seek to understand that it is God's point of view which must have priority over our own. For God created the world (read Genesis 1), and he rules the world in a perfect, loving way (Deuteronomy 10.17,18).
The fact that the world is not perfect is because human beings have rejected God. We can do this quietly, by just ignoring God. Or, more obviously, we can deliberately rebel against his instructions for living (Romans 3.10-12), asserting our own will and wishes over God's. His perfect response to this is ... the punishment of death. This sounds very hard, but is in fact totally just: by rebelling against him, we are saying to God, "Leave me alone!" And spiritual death is just that, the absence of God. (2 Thessalonians 1.8,9).
2) The Christian faith is about mercy. "... that he sent his only son ..."
Jesus Christ was SENT by God to earth. Jesus lived a perfect life which deserved no punishment. Yet, as our substitute, he died crucified on a cross, receiving God's just condemnation for all of us. This sheer mercy was shown to us in spite of the fact that we deserve the opposite, which is why Christianity is called 'the gospel', which means 'the good news'. (1 Peter 2.22-24).
3) The Christian faith is about victory. "... so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."
God has shown his acceptance of Jesus' sacrifice of himself by raising him from the dead. God gives two gifts to all who believe this.
Firstly, forgiveness of sins, so that we do not perish - we will never face a deathly absence of God. Secondly, the Holy Spirit, so that we have eternal life - and we will have the living presence of God within us.
All who read this, or hear this Christian Good News message, have a choice to make:
Continue in your rebellious ways, rejecting God and inviting his judgement at death (Hebrews 9.27) or...
Turn to Jesus Christ (or re-turn to him) and pledge yourself to being a disciple, in words like this:
Dear God,
I know that I have rebelled against you, and that I do not deserve your gift of eternal life. I need your forgiveness. I believe you sent Jesus Christ to die for me, and that he rose from death to give me new life. Please come into my life as my Saviour and ruler, to forgive and change me, and to direct my life.
Amen.
After this confession of faith, you need todo some things. If you've prayed this for the first time or as a recommitment to God, tell another Christian - a minister or friend. Do it soon!
Also, pray daily, and worship in God's family the Church this Sunday, and find a faithful pastor who can guide you in the next steps (or the ongoing steps) of your Christian journey, a journey which ends in heaven!
If you are in the Diocese of Saskatchewan, our Directory can give you churches and phone-numbers to get in touch, or e-mail us. Let us know if this web-page has been helpful to you. If you live elsewhere, go to church with the person you've told about your decision.
To help you, you might enroll in a parish Bible-study or bible-study book, or an ALPHA program of fellowship, food, and faith for Christian beginners; perhaps a prayer group, or some other friendship gathering of like-minded Christian people to help guide, direct and support you in your new life in Christ. Just remember that the Lord is your guide, that Christianity is a team thing, and that there are true answers for open hearts and minds.
If you have any other questions about the faith, or spiritual needs, suggestions on improving this page, please contact us.