There can be lots of confusion about what it means to be a Christian.  Hopefully this gives you some help!

1. Christianity is for those who know they are wayward.  Christianity is not for people who think they are 'good enough for God' or maybe even 'perfect'.  Christianity is for people who are wayward, who know that they haven't treated the God - who made us, knows us, and loves us - the way He should be treated.

2.  Christianity celebrates a Father who loves us.  That's the amazing thing about God!  Despite all the ways we've ignored God, rebelled against God, He still loves us.  He loves us so much that He gave His Son, Jesus.  Jesus came and lived the perfect life we should have lived but haven't; and in our place he died the guilty, shameful death under God's wrath that we don't want to die.

3. Christianity is for everyone!  Anyone can be a Christian, no matter what the story is of your past.  All God asks of us is that we admit that we've ignored Him, rebelled against Him, we say sorry, and we reach out and say 'I need Jesus!'  And when we do that, amazingly, God forgives us, gives us a whole new future, and begins gradually changing our lives in the present - for the better.

4. Christianity is about a family.  Christians become part of the family of God, also known as 'the church'.  Church isn't full of perfect people.  It's full of people who are sinners depending on God's mercy, helping each other grow in loving God, loving each other, and loving God's world.

If you'd like to learn more about what it means to be a Christian, why not contact us or come along to one of the courses that we run regularly, such as The Alpha Course. You can also download a really helpful booklet called ‘Why Jesus?’ for free by clicking here.

If you’d like to become a Christian now, why not pray this prayer sincerely, believing that God hears and answers:

Lord Jesus Christ, I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life (take a few moments to ask his forgiveness for anything particular that is on your conscience). Please forgive me. I now turn from everything that I know is wrong. Thank you that you died on the cross for me so that I could be forgiven and set free. Thank you that you offer me forgiveness and the gift of your Spirit. I now receive that gift. Please come into my life by your Holy Spirit to be with me forever. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen