† By the Grace of GOD

Characteristics of a True Christian:

A New Birth - The old self within is gone, and a new self in Christ is born.
† John 3:3-6 † 1 Peter 1:3-4 † 2 Corinthians 5:17 † Colossians 3:8-11 †

A Growth - Spiritual growth with the aid of the Holy Spirit.
† 2 Peter 3:18 † Colossians 1:9-10 † Galatians 5:22-23 † 1 Peter 2:1-5 †

A New Dress - "Put on" the cloak of salvation. See Armor below.
† Isaiah 61:10 † Romans 13:13-14 † Colossians 3:1-17 †

A Radiant Life - You can "See" GOD's light in a Christian.
† Matthew 5:16 † John 8:12 † John 12:35-36 †

A Character Building - Wisdom and knowledge come from GOD.
† Matthew 7:24-27 † 1 Peter 2:21 † 2 Timothy 2:15 †

• Helps for Building Character:
  • Learn Self-Discipline † Matthew 16:24 † 2 peter 1:5-7 †
  • Be Unselfish † Genesis 13:8–13 † Luke 12:16–20 † Hebrews 11:24–26 † Mark 10:45 †
  • Use Proper Discrimination - Be able to see the difference between good and evil, right and wrong, when there is one. Judge a thing not only by what it is but also by what it will eventually lead to if it is followed to its end, such as social drinking. Additionally, do not choose for the present but the future. The patriarch Lot chose for the present while Moses chose for the future.
  • Have Convictions † 2 Timothy 4:16 † Mark 14:50 †
  • Form Good Habits - A habit is a thing done often and hence, usually done easily. It is a practice, custom or act that is acquired and becomes automatic. There are two kinds of habits, good and bad. Form good habits in life and abstain from the bad ones.
  • Be and Do Your Best † Ecclesiastes 9:10 †
  • Learn to Think for Yourself † Proverbs 23:7 † 2 Corinthians 10:5 † Philippians 4:8 †
  • Use Pure Speech † Colossians 4:6 † Ephesians 4:29 † James 3:1–12 †
  • Behave Properly † 1 Timothy 4:12 † Ephesians 6:1 †
  • Be Definite in Aim and Purpose † Ecclesiastes 12:13–14 †
  • Be a Christian - A Christian is a person who wears the name of the Lord. It shows he belongs to Jesus and that he is living in accordance with His will. Do not claim to be a Christian if you are not willing to conform your life, your thoughts and actions, to the doctrine of Christ. † 2 John 9 †

A Fellowship - Christians belong to the fellowship of the children of GOD.
† Luke 24:32 †

A Sonship - GOD the Father granted us all entry into His family.
† John 1:12 †

An Education - GOD is the source of all knowledge.
† John 8:31-32 †

A Service - Being a Christian comes with great responsibility.
† 1 Timothy 6:18 †

A Sacrifice - To shed worldly desires.
† Romans 12:1 †

A Walk - The "paths of righteousness".
† Colossians 2:6 †

A Warfare - Satan is around every corner.
† 1 Timothy 6:12 †

A Race - Doing GOD's will on the path He set you on.
† Hebrews 12:1 †

A Victory - Overcoming the world and Satan.
† 1 John 5:4 †

An Assurance of Immortality - Our free gift from GOD.
† John 17:3 †

        Ref. TCRB Topic #4139

So what does it take to become a Christian?

Click for GOD's Plan for Your Salvation.

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Put On the Armor of God!

God's Armor, a summary of the true Gospel, is made up of six parts.

— The Belt of Truth - The vital truth about God and His plan for redemption.
          † Isaiah 11:5 † Luke 12:35 † 1 Peter 1:13 † Ephesians 6:14 †
— The Breastplate of Righteousness - The truth about our need for the cross and God's righteousness.
          † Isaiah 59:17 † Romans 13:12 † Ephesians 6:13 † 1 Thessalonians 5:8 † Ephesians 6:14 †
— The Sandals of Peace - The gracious gift of the Prince of Peace to those who walk in His Truth and Righteousness.
          † Isaiah 52:7 † Romans 10:15 † Ephesians 6:15 †
— The Shield of Faith - Putting all our trust in the sovereign power and love of our King and His Word.
          † Ephesians 6:16 †
— The Helmet of Salvation - Keeping our eyes fixed on the hope of His victory today and forever.
          † Isaiah 59:17 † Ephesians 6:17 †
— The Sword of the Spirit - His Word, hidden in our hearts, and wielded against any enemy to peace that might come against us.
          † Isaiah 49:2 † Hosea 6:5 † Hebrews 4:12 † Ephesians 6:17 †

        These parts become all the more significant in light of the fact that Jesus, at various times, identified Himself before His disciples as Truth, Righteousness, (Prince of) Peace, our Salvation and the living Word. So when you "put on" God's armor, you "clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 13:12-14). He becomes your hiding place and your shelter in the storm. Hidden in Him, you can count on His victory, for He not only covers you as a shield, He also fills you with His life.

† If you want to begin a relationship with God now, you can.

God views your relationship with Him as permanent. Referring to all those who believe in Him, Jesus Christ said of us, "I know them, and they follow me; and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand (John 10:27-30)."

Click for GOD's Plan for Your Salvation.

This site is a work in progress so visit often to find out what's new. Please pray that I will be able to present the Word of God in a way that people will come to Christ and understand the wonderful Gift that God has freely given to us all.

Click for GOD's Plan for Your Salvation.

          Besides giving thanks to the LORD for all the wonderful blessings He has bestowed on me, a special thanks goes out to WitnessToday.org for originally hosting this web site. WitnessToday, through their divine calling and graciousness, helped me get started in this ministry. They provide free web site storage and email to all Christian Churches, Ministries and Fellow Believers all over the world. Although they do not charge for their services, they do incur expenses each month. If you would like to support the Witness Today ministry Click Here. This a a tremendous resource for Christians everywhere to witness and spread the wonderful Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

          Thank You and GOD Bless,

                    Joel