So, you're a christian...right?

[JT Hedman]

I am a Christian.

I would define myself as a Christian. Ok, fine. But if the word "Christian" isn't defined, this can be a pretty open statement. And, (in)conveniently enough, developing a definition of Christianity can be difficult, since so many people have so many different ideas of what it really is. Ask 10 people what they think, and you'll get 10 different answers - tough getting clarification that way.

Aside from the dictionary definition* of being one who adheres to the teachings of Christ, I'm interested in talking out what a true Christian really is.

Growing up, I was told (and believed) all I had to do was say a little prayer telling Jesus I knew I was a sinner, I didn't want to be a sinner anymore, I believed and was thankful that He died on the Cross to forgive my sins, and I wanted Him to come live in my heart. While I do believe this (having a repentant and grateful attitude) is quite important, I have more than a few problems with the idea that saying a prayer is the be-all-end-all in securing my salvation.

Nowhere in the Bible does anyone pray to accept Jesus as Savior.

No, really. People in the Bible didn't pray for salvation. When Christ was gathering His apostles, He didn't tell them to ask Him to forgive their sins - simply to follow Him as they were. They dropped their nets and/or whatever else they were doing and followed Him. They left the only things they knew - namely fishing and their families - to follow a man they had never met. They sacrificed all that was familiar to travel with and learn from a man about whom they knew nothing.

God opened eyes and hearts, people believed, and they were saved (a very "Christian" term - referring to how we are rescued - saved - from eternal damnation by the sole power of a merciful God).

We have been ingrained with the belief that a prayer and only a prayer will determine our eternal futures. While I won't deny that God can and does use whatever He chooses to bring people to himself, I am saying that in our humanity and finiteness we think a prayer is our ticket to eternal life. I fear for the salvation of millions who claim to be Christians based on a prayer they said when they were 12, but who, since they were 12, have not lived a lifestyle any different from anyone else in the world around them.

The proof, as they say, is in the pudding; or in the case of Christianity, the fruit: People whose lives overflow with deeds and characteristics and fruit representative of Christ have proven their salvation. Don't confuse my words here - I am certainly NOT saying that deeds, characteristics and fruit are salvific in and of themselves, only that they are proof of having a relationship with Christ, that is, flowing out of that existing relationship.


*"christian." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 23 Apr. 2007. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/christian.