If arrested for practicing Christianity, what will be your defense? (Part 2)

To speak on Christianity, you need to know firstly why you are a Christian?
Why do you wake up early on Sunday morning, get all dress up to go to Church? Is it because it is a routine or you were trained that way?

Anyone who holds the microphone is a teacher but how can you teach, if you have not been taught yourself. How can you defend a religion you know nothing about?

Yes I am a Christian because the Bible tells me; "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). But Christianity is more of a relationship, it needs to be experienced. 

I met a young man in a cab who could quote the Bible verses from Genesis to Revelation but he does not have a clue on why Jesus came and died. I was amazed when he said the bible brainwashes. I came to understand that he was forced to go to Church as a kid and forced to recite bible verses by his parents but no one could explain to him reasons why he should have a relationship with God. Sadly now a grown up, he is confused, he believes nothing but his instincts. 

Like this young man, many youths are trapped in a religion they do not understand and they feel forced to believe what they cannot defend. Is it interesting that those who persecuted Jesus were not pagans but teachers of the law of God, they believed in Moses and Abraham but could not recognize the Son of God. The same God, they claim to worship.

DEFINE A CHRISTIAN
The disciples where first called Christians in Antioch in Acts 11:25- 26.

"Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch". 

The word “Christian” is used three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; 26:28;1 Peter 4:16). The disciples where also called Christians because they identified themselves as followers of Jesus Christ in their behaviour, activity and speech. Christian simply means "follower of Christ".

However, going to Church and being a good person does not make you a Christian. The Bible states in Romans 10:9 that If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.This is what makes you a Christian, although you need to believe in your heart. But you need to understand why Christ died to accept Him in your heart. A true Christian is a person who has put faith and trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ, including His death on the cross as payment for sins and His resurrection on the third day. The misunderstanding we have in the Body of Christ is the distinction between THE RELIGIOUS VS THE SAVED.

COMPARE CHRISTIANITY WITH OTHER RELIGIONS
Christianity is the only religion where the worship in the person of the (Holy Spirit) Spirit of Christ resides in the worshiper. He empowers us to live godly lives.

It is the only religion where the Lord of Lords humbled himself to become man, to learn to speak in a  language he already knew, to learn to crawl, walk and related with people He already knew. The Word of God was made flesh and dwelled among us (John 1:14).

Christianity is the only religion we are taught to love our enemies. And pray for those who persecute us.

Every other religion teaches us to earn our way to God, Christianity is the only religion that teaches God demonstrated His love for us even while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8).

Other religion have different practices to appease their gods, Christianity is a relationship with our Maker (Psalm 145:18-19).

No other religion has an empty tomb. Christians are the only people who follow a leader who died and came back to life (Mat. 28:6).

He became our substitute, He is our surety(Col 2:13 -14). He became a curse to redeem us. Jesus took upon Himself what belongs to us so that we could receive what belongs to Him.

Therefore, when faced with persecutions, be confident in this; Satan has no authority over the believer in Christ. Christ paid it all in full. He assured us that no trial will test us beyond our ability to bear it, and “he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

To be continued (Part 3) - Defense for being a Christian