I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N

But what does that mean?  How do I act like one?

Pastor Zinn mentioned in church recently that all christians, no matter their denomination share a few characteristics. They have;

• A love for the Lord 
• Commitment to His word 
• Affection for His people
• Separation from all that is ungodly and worldly. 

Have you ever heard someone say something like this "if they were really christian, they wouldn't do that." or "I can't believe she did that and calls herself a christian." Doesn't it seem like we, as christians, are held to a higher standard? Sometimes it feels like what the world wants from us is Christ-like perfection, and we know it is impossible for us to attain. 

God doesn't ask for perfection, heck he doesn't even ask us to try to be perfect. What he asks is that we rely on him to meet the "standards" that he has designed for us. We don't have to do it on our own, and when we mess up (because we all do), he expects us to confess our sins.

So to get back to what it means to be a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N, it means;

• God chose you and called you to be his own
• Jesus lived on earth and died on the cross to save you
• God placed someone in your life taught you about God
• You made the decision to receive the gift God offered.
• God calls you his child and is working in your life for the better.

Do you notice that God has done most of the work here? If we are growing in our relationship with Christ, he will unfold the christian attitude and behavior in us.