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     Previously we considered imagery of Jesus kingdom and the meaning of the church (people called out from the worldly lifestyle to become Christians).  Our common use of “Christian” is simply to say a person believes Jesus is the son of God and Savior of man from his sins.  The word translated Christian actually means “belongs to Christ.”  A Christian is a person who voluntarily decided to submit to Jesus, having true faith in Him as the Savior and trusting Him in submission to His will.  Jesus commands a change of belief from whatever to Him alone (Mark 1:14,15; Acts 17:29-31).  Actually, becoming a Christian is a matter of whom you trust deeply to change your life (Ephesians 1:12,13).  The change is not only in belief, but in lifestyle, turning away from what God calls sin to glorifying Jesus in his own life (Galatians 5:19-23; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).  This change in attitude motivates one with true faith to submit to Jesus.

     At the conclusion of Peter’s sermon on Pentecost, the Jews asked, “...What shall we do?”  Peter instructed them to repent and be baptized for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38).  3000 obeyed submitting themselves to Jesus in baptism, thus changing the course of their lives beginning that day.  Like Paul wrote about the Macedonians (2 Corinthians 8:1,5), the Jews gave themselves to Christ.  They willingly gave themselves to Christ, in effect becoming His possession.  Thus the name Christian - “belongs to Christ.”

     Many say they are Christians, but are they?  Are you?  President Reagan often stated America is a Christian nation.  What does that mean?  We see no such thing in the New Testament!  Certainly, the written evidence by the forefathers founding the USA based upon biblical principles and acknowledgment of Jehovah, the God of heaven, and Jesus as Lord and Savior is overwhelming.  That is our heritage, but that does not make the USA a Christian nation.  In a survey conducted during Reagan’s time, the question was asked, “What does it mean to be a Christian?”  One fellow responded, “A Christian is a patriot.”  He didn’t have a clue.  One might speculate, he had never read, let alone study, the Bible.
     That such ignorance is frightening, to those who have a clear understanding of Christianity, highlights Jesus’ warning of such ignorance.  Referring to judgment day, Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.  Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matthew 7:21-23).  The person claimed to be a faithful follower, but was eternally condemned.  Ignorance!  And you?

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