What's a BIG Christian? My take on big Christians is they are usually people that have no idea what Christianity is all about.

Earlier this week I came across someone that described himself likewise. "Oh yeah, I'm a big Christian!" I was shocked to hear his response when I asked Craig when he was saved. "What do you mean? I was always saved. I've been going to church my whole life."

What does it mean to be Christian? What are the requirements, if any? In deed there are specific requirements involved in Christianity, one of which involves repentance.

"8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming." (2 Peter 3:8-12)

Warning us of Christ' second coming and the final judgment over the earth, the apostle Peter calls on all of us to repent of our sins so that we may avoid the great suffering of the tribulation. Repentance comes to anyone that truthfully asks God for His forgiveness and invites the holy spirit to flow within him or her. Repentance allows sin to be washed away through Jesus' blood shed on the cross. Repentance is a willful act of faith in God and His son Jesus Christ. Repentance leads to salvation.

Another step involves spiritual rebirth hence the term "born again", an expression that symbolizes the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This symbol is either performed within Christians as we are immersed in the holy spirit and/or, baptized in water as a public display meant to seal one's covenant with God.

"1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." 3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. 4 "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" 5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again." (John 3:1-7)

The third step, one's personal testimony is often either ignored or not harvested properly. A most powerful ministering tool, one's testimony is absolutely irrefutable. But what is a personal testimony? It is a summary of the events that led to one's rebirth and the resulting changes in one's life. Atop the word of God, believers must arm themselves with a personal testimony in order to overcome worldly adversity.

"9 Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:9-14)

A final and most important step is actually a series of steps that lead to heaven, it is justification. Believers are repented sinners saved by grace, made righteous by their faith in Jesus Christ and justified by their deeds.

"20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds." (Acts 26:20)

Anyone without deeds, without works performed to honor the Lord or in the name of God stands to be judged accordingly. It is true that God loves us unconditionally, it is also true that we bestow judgment upon ourselves by proving our faith in Jesus Christ from morning until night.

My advice to BIG Christians that have attended church their entire lives is this: Prepare yourself for judgment day! Salvation is only possible through repentance, rebirth, baptism and justification. If you lack any one of these, I invite you to reach out to this ministry for guidance and prayer.

On the other hand, if you are born again and blessed to have deeds that prove your relationship with Jesus Christ, I praise God for the works of your heart and soul and pray you will continue to be a blessing to all those around you. Let's pray!