According to data from a 2001 study there are 2.1 billion people in the world who claim to be Christians. There are 159 million adults in the United States who claim to be 'born again'. That's 75% of the adults who live in the U.S.
But what is a Christian? The term 'Christian' literally means 'little Christs'. It was a term used to describe the early church followers of Christ. They were called 'little Christs' because as people observed their lives, they recognized that these disciples were like Jesus.
The Apostle Paul wrote "I have been crucifi
ed with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." (Galatians 2:20) Being 'crucified with Christ' means that we put to death our own desires and allow the life of Christ to live through us. It's not easy to do it, but we can, with Jesus' help.
The Bible also says that God is involved in the process of making us into the image of Christ. Paul also wrote "...we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10) Don't misunderstand. Good works don't save us. Good works are the natural outpouring of a life lived 'in Christ'.
Being a Christian isn't a birthright, like being Chinese or French or American. It's a conscious decision to trust Christ, to give your life to Him and then to follow Him!
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