Christian or Christ-Centered?

Research institutions report that less than 20 percent of the 71 percent of adult U.S. population who identify as Christians worship regularly in a church. This means that more than 80 percent of Christians are doing something else with their time, other than attending church services.

Regular church attendance is not the measuring rod for a Christian getting into heaven; salvation is by the grace of GOD alone through CHRIST. Those who believe in CHRIST and have accepted His sacrifice in payment of their sins, will spend eternity in heaven. However, the operative words that describes a Christian, or a child of GOD, are “who believes in CHRIST,” and for such a one, regular church attendance is key.

A Christian life is a CHRIST-centered life and CHRIST is “the head of the church, which is his body.” Colossians 1:18. A CHRIST-centered lifestyle consists of regular church attendance for–

Worshipping CHRIST

A church is the place where members of the body of CHRIST gather to worship GOD the Father and GOD the SON who saved us. GOD has put worship in the heart of every human being, and if our worship is not centered primarily on CHRIST, it is on something else, and our lives are going to be controlled by what we worship most. We give our best in time and talent to whatever that passion may be – money, pleasure, career, etc. – instead of CHRIST.

Being the Body of CHRIST

A Christ-centered child of GOD identifies with and becomes more like CHRIST. Our actions – our walk, our talk, and our relationships with other believers – reflect that identity. We want to have regular fellowship with like-minded believers where we can use our talents and Spiritual gifts for GOD’s glory and the edification of the rest of His “body.” When parts of that “body” are consistently absent the rest will be unable to function properly. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12

Consistently Desiring to Please CHRIST

JESUS CHRIST is the only perfect human being to live on earth. Although we are saved, our perfection is not on this earth and we sin even though we desire to please GOD and obey His WORD. If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 1 John 1:8. Living in conflict with GOD’s will is not an option for a child of GOD who has promised us a way out, …But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9.  When we do sin we quickly confess our sin to restore the relationship with our Father.

The goal of a CHRIST-centered Christian is to glorify GOD and our first step toward this goal is to have JESUS CHRIST be LORD of our lives.

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith… Colossians 2:6

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Our Father in Heaven, we call YOU Holy; there is no GOD like you, all powerful, all knowing, all seeing, YOU are Sovereign LORD and our good, good Father! We thank you for CHRIST JESUS, our LORD and SAVIOR; we thank you for reminding us that we are YOURS only as we are fully CHRIST’s, that our lives are centered in HIM; that He is the Church and we are the Church "body" united as one, each having a unique part. Remind us, Father, that frequent fellowship with each other makes us a strong force; one body birth of the same Spirit through CHRIST alone. Without HIM in our lives we have no hope of glory in heaven with YOU, so. Father, forgive us for thinking we can do this our way and make it up as we go along. Cause us to accept YOUR will as perfect and YOUR WORD as true life. To YOU belong all honor, dominion and power forever and ever.  We pray and ask all things in the matchless Name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile