Myths about Christianity

John, I've tried living the Christian life as the Bible says, but it's too difficult for me. I'm tempted to stop trying. Do you have a suggestion.

You say the Christian life is too difficult for you, but it really isn't. It's impossible. Apart from the power of the Lord Jesus Christ living within the hearts of people, no one can live the Christian life.

As I have talked to hundreds of people around the world, I have discovered that many people believe the following myths about what makes someone a Christian.

• Myth 1: Believing in God makes you a Christian.
  Eight out of ten people in Australia say they believe there is a God. But are they all Christians?
• Myth 2: Going to church makes you a Christian
  People go to church all the time - for a multitude of reasons. But that doesn't make them Christians. Even some thieves go to church. Some go to appease their conscience.
• Myth 3: Praying makes you a Christian.
  Certainly, Christians pray. But just because you pray it doesn't mean you're a Christian. Hindus pray all the time. So, praying doesn't make someone a Christian.
• Myth 4: Living a good life makes you a Christian.
  Remember, there have always been plenty of "good" people in the world. So if goodness was enough, God need not have sent Jesus. The fact that Jesus had to come to die on the Cross to make our forgiveness possible shows that goodness does not make someone a Christian.
• Myth 5: Reading the Bible makes you a Christian.
  Of course Christians love the Bible. Some of us read it daily. But just reading the Bible doesn't mean that you are a Christian.
• Myth 6: Talking about Jesus Christ makes you a Christian.
  Many people talk about Jesus Christ and even speak well of Him. But they may not even believe that what the Bible says about Jesus is true. They may be talking about a Jesus that fits into their way of thinking, rather than the Jesus of history and the Bible.
• Myth 7: You can be born a Christian.
  I've met people who have told me, "I was born in a Christian country so of course I am a Christian. What else could I be?" The answer is that they could be a lot of things. Someone may be born in a stable. But that doesn't make them a horse. Let me share with you how you can become a real Christian right now.

FACT 1: Admit that your sins have separated you from God.

The Bible says, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). You know that includes you - and that it is time to own up to God and to receive the forgiveness that He wants to give you.

FACT 2: Believe the miracle of the Cross.

You must believe what Christ has done for you on the Cross. The Bible says, "Christ died for sins" (1 Peter 3:18). When Jesus died on the Cross, it was so that each one of us could be forgiven. We deserve to be punished for the wrong that we have done in God's eyes. But God sent His Son to take our punishment on His shoulders on the Cross.

FACT 3: You must receive Christ for yourself.

The final step you must take is to receive Christ for yourself. You cannot inherit faith. God doesn't have any grandchildren. Experience Christ for yourself. All of us who belong to Christ had to come for ourselves. Have you come to Him yet? Have you ever made that decision?

The Bible says, "Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." (John 1:12 You ask, "How? The best way to know is simply to bow you head in prayer, own up about your sins to God, by faith open your heart to Christ, believe in Him and receive Him.

Used with the permission of Challenge of Challenge Literature Fellowship P.O Box 978 Cloverdale WA 6105