Are you a Christian?

Some people feel confused when it comes to talking about their beliefs or religion.

Some prefer to avoid the subject. So much so that it has become taboo to talk about religion and beliefs, whatever they may be.

But why?

First, I would like to emphasize that religion does not necessarily mean belief.

Many people call themselves Christians because they were born into a family who attended a Christian church. Or some people consider themselves Christians because they have performed certain rituals that some churches offer as a tradition. But does that make you necessarily a believer?

Being a Christian is much more than a title or a reference to a temple, institution or denomination you attend.

Being a Christian doesn't mean you attend church A, B or C.

Being a Christian does not mean that you were baptized as a child by your parents, nor does it mean that you performed confirmation or the Eucharist.

Being a Christian doesn't mean you know the Bible and the full story of Jesus.

According to Wikipedia, "Christians are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words Christ and Christian derive from the Koine Greek title Christós, a translation of the Biblical Hebrew term mashiach."

But being a Christian is even more...

Being a Christian is not just believing in the words of Jesus written in the Bible or following the rituals of a Christian religion.

Even the term Christian is not biblical, but a name created to give a name to a group of people who have the same interest, but is that belief?

Let's change direction a little bit.

Are you a believer?

Yes, a believer!

If you call yourself a Christian then you must be a believer.

Yes, a believer in Jesus Christ.

Let's dig a little deeper.

Being a Christian means that you don't just attend a Christian church, or follow various religious rituals, or read the Bible several times, or that you know the story of Jesus.

Being a Christian believer means that you are a follower, a disciple and that you not only know about the Bible, but try to follow the teachings of Jesus in your life.

But, in particular, that you opened your heart to Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

It means that you believe that Jesus is the Son of God who came to earth to save us, when he died on the cross and rose again on the third day.

You are a Christian believer if you confessed your sins to Jesus and repented and asked Him to change your life.

You know what?

People greatly complicate belief in Jesus and religions further complicate what it means to be a Christian believer.

In no way am I saying that it is not important to meet in churches to pray or worship God, because this strengthens our faith, but we are responsible for our salvation and our belief.

Our belief and salvation are individual and non-transferable, meaning that you are responsible for having Jesus in your life and maintaining a relationship with Him as your Lord and God.

Your search for Jesus should not be dependent on a church, or a mass or service.

If you are a Christian believer, you follow Jesus wherever and whenever you are.

Because He is with you, and not in a temple made by human hands.

So are you a Christian?

What kind of Christian are you?

Are you a Christian believer who follows Jesus?

Or do you only know Jesus from afar?

"16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 NIV

"9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved." Romans 10:9-10 NIV

"11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Corinthians 6:11 NIV

"3 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.2 This man came to Jesus[a] by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again[b] he cannot see the kingdom of God.”4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?”5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.[c]7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You[d] must be born again.’8 The wind[e] blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:1-8 ESV