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"Christ makes a Christian a Christian" (The Voice of Two Friends) Selected from the on-going INTERNET BOOK, "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets" ( http://www.terrific-tabs.com ) by John N. Todd III, M. D. (link)
SEE related link: What is a CHRISTIAN? How do you get to be a CHRISTIAN? Initiated 10/03; 1/04; 8/05; 2/8/07 CLICK HERE to go to the "FRONT PAGE" of "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets" CLICK HERE for ALPHABETICAL INDEX of this entire WEBSITE CLICK HERE to EMAIL your thoughts to Dr. Todd  Mr. Lee and Dr. Todd (in October 2005) Written by: Mr. and Mrs. Willie James Lee Tuscaloosa, Alabama Willie James Lee, and his wife Cora, are long-standing (20+ years), African-American friends and business associates of the designers and authors of this website (Dr. and Mrs. John Todd). Mrs. Lee is a retired public-school teacher, and librarian. Mr. Lee is a talented musician; and a wise man of many skills. He and I have had countless discussions, through the years.... about God, and "religion", and spiritual "truth".... plus many conversations about secular and "mundane" matters.... such as "politics", philosophy, and current events. I asked Mr. and Mrs. Lee to compose an essay for this website.... specifically addressing their understanding of the term "Christian", and how one gets to "be" a Christian. I asked them about the various "Christian" churches, and about how and why an individual decides to "join" a specific doctrinal variant of a "religion". I asked Mr. and Mrs. Lee, also, about whether superstition and fear (being afraid not to claim belief in a certain "doctrine") are involved in the "decision" that an individual makes, when that individual "commits" to a certain church. What follows below is a well-written, heart-felt composition that Mr. and Mrs. Lee presented to me for inclusion on this website. It is reproduced here, verbatim.... expressing their personal spiritual understanding, and feelings. I have asked that Mr. and Mrs. Lee supplement this document, or revise it, whenever they choose.... for "up-dated" inclusion on this website John N. Todd  Willie James Lee, in a painting by James Conner of Tuscaloosa, Alabama WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN? By Willie James Lee, and Cora Lee A Christian is someone who has decided to entrust his or her life to Jesus Christ. A Christian trusts Christ for forgiveness of sin, a right standing before God, and for guidance in life. A Christian is someone referred to as "born again", because Jesus said that one must be born of the water (the physical birth), and the Spirit. To be born again -- born of the Spirit -- a person must place his or her trust in Jesus Christ. The Spirit of Jesus Christ actually comes to dwell within the new Christian. In sum, Christ makes a Christian a Christian. Going to church does not make a person a Christian. Being baptized as a child by our parents does not do it. Nobody can be a Christian by trying to be a good person. Only Jesus Christ can make a person a Christian. 1. Everyone who receives Jesus Christ into their life is given the right to become a child of God. John 1: 12 "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of man -- but born of God." 2. If we are to truly be Christians, we must believe in our hearts that Jesus actually was born of a virgin, lived, died on a cross, and was buried, and rose again. Romans 10: 9 "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." 3. Some people find it difficult to believe just how simple it is to become a Christian. There Is nothing we can do to earn forgiveness, and new life through Christ. One can only receive the gift from God -- and thank Him for it. We sometimes fool ourselves, and are deceived into thinking that we have to clean-up our lives, give-up certain habits; give money; give time; come to a better understanding of the Bible; or perform acts of service. None of these will help you be a Christian. Contrary to what our parents taught us -- or our religious traditions.... we must be Christ-like. We must follow His example. Christ, and only Christ, makes a person a Christian. Ephesians 2: 8-9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves. It is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast." 4. A Christian is one having the Spirit of God living in him. If one has truly trusted God, Christ's Spirit lives within. This is the beginning of a wonderful life, in Christ. Romans 8: 9 "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His". To be a Christian means everything. It is a very high standard of life. Thus we must grow in our walk, just like a baby grows as it is nourished. To deepen the Christian's walk with God, one should: Read the Bible daily. Talk to God daily. Tell others about Christ. Worship and fellowship with other Christians. Demonstrate love and concern for others. Submitted by: Willie and Cora Lee October 20, 2003 |