When I Say   "I am a Christian"

When I say . . . I am a Christian
I'm not shouting "I am saved."
I'm whispering "I get lost"
That is why I chose this way. 

When I say . . . I am a Christian
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need someone to be my guide.

When I say . . . I am a Christian
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I am weak
and pray for strength to carry on.

When I say . . . I am a Christian
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
and cannot ever pay the debt

When I say . . . I am a Christian
I'm not claiming to be perfect.
My flaws are too visible
but God believes I'm worth it.

When I say . . . I am a Christian
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
which is why I seek HIS name.

When I say . . . I am a Christian
I do not wish to judge.
I have no authority
I only know I'm loved.

- Unknown



What is a Christian?

A Christian is:

A mind through which Christ thinks,
A heart through which Christ loves,
A voice through which Christ speaks,
A hand through which Christ helps,
A life through which Christ lives.

So let it be,
        your mind,
        your heart,
        your voice,
        your hand,
        and your life,
        through which Christ ministers to the world!



THE BLESSINGS OF A CHRISTIAN

Chosen by God; election - Ephesians 1:4
Adoption into God's family - Ephesians 1:5, 2:19
Acceptance before God - Ephesians 1:6
Forgiveness of sins - Ephesians 1:7
Insight into God's will - Ephesians 1:9
An eternal inheritance - Ephesians 1:11
The seal of the Spirit - Ephesians 1:13, 2:18
God's mercy and love - Ephesians 2:4, 3:17-19
Wisdom and Knowledge - Ephesians 1:17
Divine power - Ephesians 1:19-20, 3:16,20
Spiritual life - Ephesians 2:1,5
The promise of eternal kindness - Ephesians 2:7
The knowledge that God's plan for us is good - Ephesians 2:10
Unity and peace with all believers - Ephesians 2:11-18, 3:6
Heavenly citizenship - Ephesians 2:19
Access to God through Christ - Ephesians 3:12



THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A CHRISTIAN

To keep the unity of the Spirit - Ephesians 4:3-6
To use our abilities for the church's benefit - Ephesians 4:7-13
To keep growing and maturing - Ephesians 4:14-15
To put away old, sinful ways - Ephesians 4:17-24, 5:2-14
To speak honestly and purely - Ephesians 4:25,29
To do what the Spirit leads us to do - Ephesians 4:30
To imitate God - Ephesians 5:1
To walk in love - Ephesians 5:2
To find out what is acceptable to the Lord - Ephesians 5:10
To make the most of our time - Ephesians 5:16
To be filled with the Spirit - Ephesians 5:18
To submit to one another - Ephesians 5:21
To have marriages that honor God - Ephesians 5:22-23
To honor God in our families - Ephesians 6:1-4
To demonstrate integrity in the workplace - Ephesians 6:5-9
To stand strong against the forces of evil - Ephesians 6:10-18