Do you call yourself a Christian?

I am seeing a ton of Facebook posts from "Christians" that don't seem to line up with what being a christian actually means.

By the dictionary's definition it means: one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ. (http://www.merriam-webster.com)

Yes, I agree with that, but it is so much more.

You see, to know God is to love God, and to love God is to obey God. (read that again, slowly)

That's pretty much it, in a nutshell.

Do yourself a favor and read the book of 1 John (it's only 5 chapters long, you can do it.)

1 John 2:3-6 says,

And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. 4 If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. 5 But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. 6 Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. (NLT)

So….if this isn't making it clear…a Christian is someone who obeys God, and lives as Jesus did.

Are you doing that? It's a good question to ask yourself if you claim to be a christian.

Are you supporting things of this world and living in a way completely opposite to what God commands in His Word? Are you not even sure what the Bible says about certain topics, like sexual immorality, divorce, and other issues?  If that's the case, it sounds like it's time to crack open that Bible and start researching. There are A TON of people out there professing to be christians,  yet are living the complete opposite.  They do not even know right from wrong! The world is lying to us constantly, so if you spend more time listening to the world than the Word, then you will be one confused "christian."

When we die and come face to face with God,  He will say one of two things. Either, "Well done my good and faithful servant" (reference form Matthew 25) or He will say, "Depart from Me, I never knew you."  Yikes.

Matthew 7:21-23:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

WOW. Scary stuff! You could totally think you are a christian, going to church every sunday and be living your life just fine, and then WAMO!! He might say He never knew you, because you were down here living what you THOUGHT was christian, because you listened to the world more than Him.  

And just in case you are skeptical of what I am saying, maybe you don't even know if God is real, well consider this. The Bible says that someday we will ALL come face to face with the Creator.
Romans 14:10-11 says,

Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written,
“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”

EVERY KNEE and EVERY TONGUE, that means every world religion, all the atheists, Mormons, Buddhists, every religion you can think of, EVERY single person will be on their knees in His presence after they die, and they will KNOW He is God. There will be no more doubt, or twisting of who He actually is, they will KNOW.

So if you are reading this, then please, take a look at what you believe. If you realize that you are not living up to what God defines as a christian, then just know It IS possible to come back to Him. You can turn from any sin, any addiction, any religion, and any confusing sexual feelings. IT IS POSSIBLE, but ONLY with God, because He is the ONE that makes it possible. He gives you the courage to turn from those desires, He gives you the mercy you need, and He can fill your mind and soul with His love so that you can recognize the truth from the lies, the light from the dark. 

Repent, Turn from your selfish ways, and Follow Him. (Matthew 16:24)

And remember, to know God is to love God, and to love God is to obey God.  

It's simple, if you love Him you will obey Him. And it all starts with knowing Him. So open up that Bible and get to know Him. He will guide you and make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6) :)