Do you call yourself a Christian? You probably do. Most people do, even those who are not saved. But just because you say you are a Christian does not make you one. That should be pretty obvious. But neither does just acting like a Christian make you one, either. I think that most of us would agree that the way one becomes a Christian is by repenting of your sins and putting your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ to save you by his blood (and if you don't agree, you need to check your opinion with the Bible). So all the so-called "Christians" out there are not real Christians if they have not done this. But anyway, becoming a Christian is not what this post is about.

I've been thinking on a verse in Acts. In chapter eleven and at the end of verse twenty-six, it says, And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. Did you catch that? It says they WERE CALLED Christians. The verse does not say, And the disciples called themselves Christians first in Antioch. So I think that the people who were NOT Christians noticed the difference between themselves and the disciples, and they said (this is not in the Bible -- I am speculating), "We can tell that these people are different from us. They are followers of Christ!! We will call them 'Christians.'"

What do you think would happen if I asked your neighbors if you were a Christian? Would they say, "Oh, yes, definitely. They are always going to church. They are always friendly and helpful. They act like what I think a Christian would act like."? Or would they say, "Christians? I don't know -- why don't you ask them?"? Don't call yourself a Christian if honestly you aren't one.

My point is, do you act like a Christian ought to act? Do you dress the way a Christian ought to dress? Do you talk the way a Christian ought to talk? Philipians 2:12 says to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." (This is not talking about working FOR your salvation -- it is talking about working it to the outside so others may see that you are a follower of Christ.)

Remember Psalms 40:3: And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

Do you have a song in your heart? Do you live for the Lord like a person who calls himself a Christian should? If there was a law against being a Christian, would there be enough evidence in your life to convict you?