What does it mean to be a Christian?
A Christian has faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, that is he
is the literal son of God sent by his Father to suffer for
our sins in a supreme act of love we know as the Atonement.
A Christian believes that through the grace of God, the
Father, and his son, Jesus Christ, we can repent, forgive
others, and keep the commandments, and inherit
eternal life.
The word Christian denotes taking upon
us the name of Christ.
We do this by being baptized and receiving the gift of the
Holy Ghost, by the laying of hands by those holding his
priesthood authority.
A Christian knows that throughout the ages God's
prophets have always testified of Jesus Christ.
This same Jesus, accompanied by Heavenly Father, appeared
to the Prophet Joseph Smith in the year 1820 and restored the
gospel and the organization of its original church.
Through the scriptures and the witness of Joseph Smith, we
know that God, our Heavenly Father, has a glorified and
perfected body of flesh and bone.
Jesus Christ is His only begotten son in the flesh.
The Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit whose work is to
testify of the Father and the Son.
Their Godhead is three separate and distinct beings
unified in purpose.
While these doctrines are the foundation of our faith, can
there be any doubt or disputation that we as Mormons
are Christian?
Yet, for every Christian a simple question remains, what
kind of Christians are we?
In other words, how are we doing in our
quest to follow Christ?
Consider with me the experience of
two Christian disciples.
Jesus was walking by the sea of Galilee.
He saw two brethren, Simon and Peter, and Andrew, his
brother, casting a net into the sea,
for they were fishers.
The scriptures say, and he sayeth unto them, "Follow me,
and I will make you fishers of men." And they straight away
left their nets and followed him.
As Christians today, we have the opportunity to go straight
away and act immediately and decisively just as Peter and
Andrew did.
They forsook their nets and followed him.
We too are called upon to leave our nets, to reject
worldly habits, customs, and traditions.
We are also called to forsake our sins.
When Jesus called the people unto him, he said unto them,
"whosoever will come unto me, let him deny himself and take
upon his cross and follow me."
Denying ourselves of ungodly behavior is the beginning of
repentance, which brings a mighty change of heart until
we have no more disposition to do evil.
This change, called conversion, is possible only
through the Savior.
Jesus promised, "If men come unto me, I will show unto them
their weakness.
And my grace is sufficient for all men that humble
themselves before me.
For if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in
me, then I will make weak things become strong unto
them." End of quote.
As we are made new in Christ, our very nature's change.
And we no longer want to go back to our old ways.
Even so, faithful Christians will always be blessed to
experience difficulties and disappointments.
When these refining challenges come, we may be tempted to
return to our old ways.
After the Savior's crucifixion, he appeared to
the women and told them that their brethren would find him
in Galilee.
When Peter, the senior apostle, returned to Galilee,
he also went back to what he knew, to what he felt
comfortable doing.
I go out fishing, he explained, and took several
disciples with him.
Indeed, Peter and the others fished all night without
catching any fish.
The next morning, Jesus appeared on the shore and
called to them across the water, "Cast your nets on the
right side." John immediately recognized the Savior's voice.
And Peter instantly cast himself into the water and
swam to the shore.
The disciples who remained in the boat followed the Savior's
instructions and quickly discovered their nets were
miraculously filled to overflowing.
To Christians who have returned to their old and less
faithful ways, consider the faithful example of Peter.
Do not delay.
Come here and recognize the master's voice calling.
Then straight away return to him and receive his abundant
blessings once again.
As the brethren returned to the shore, they discovered a
feast of fish, bread.
"Come and dine," the Savior invited.
And he fed them.
He asked Peter three times, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest
thou me?" When Peter expressed his love, the Savior implored
him, "Feed my lambs, feed my sheep."
This is the call of Christ to every Christian today, "Feed
my lambs, feed my sheep." Share my gospel with young and
old, lifting, blessing, comforting, encouraging, and
building them, especially those who think and believe
differently than we do.
We feed his lambs in our homes by how we live the gospel,
keeping the commandments, praying, studying the
scriptures, and emulating his love.
We feed his sheep in the Church as we serve in
priesthood quorums and auxiliary organizations.
And we feed his sheep throughout the world by being
good Christian neighbors, practicing the pure religion
of visiting and serving the widows, the fatherless, the
poor, at all who are in need.
For many, the call to be a Christian can seem demanding
even overwhelming.
But we do not be afraid or feel inadequate.
The savior has promised that he will make us
equal to his work.
"Follow me," he said, "and I will make you fishers of men."
In following him, he blesses us with gifts, talents, and
the strength to do His will, allowing us to go beyond our
comfort zones and do things we've never
before thought possible.
This may mean sharing the gospel with neighbors,
rescuing those who are spiritually lost, serving a
full-time mission, working in the temple, raising a child
with special needs, living the prodigal, serving an ailing
companion, enduring misunderstandings or suffering
affliction.
It means preparing ourselves to our answer His call by
saying, I'll go where you want me to go.
I'll say what you want me to say.
I'll do what you want me to do.
I'll be what you want me to be.
To be who Heavenly Father wants us to be, we follow
Jesus Christ.
I testify that he is continually calling us to
follow Him.
If we are just learning about Christian commitment of Latter
Day Saints, or if we've been fully participating in the
Church and want to follow Him again, fear not.
The Lord's first disciples were all new members of the
Church, newly converted to His gospel.
Jesus patiently taught each one.
He helped them fulfill their responsibilities.
He called them his friends and lay down his life for them.
And he has already done the same for you and I.
Once again, I testify that through his infinite love and
grace, we can become more Christian Christians
considering the following Christian-like qualities.
How are we doing in strengthening them within
ourselves, Christian love?
The savior valued everyone, kind and compassionate to all.
He left the 99 to find the one.
For even the very hairs of our head are numbered to him.
Christian faith; despite temptations, trials, and
persecutions, the Savior trusted our Heavenly Father
and chose to be faithful and obedient to His commandments.
Christian sacrifice; throughout His life the Savior
gave of his time, his energy, and ultimately the Atonement,
he gave himself so that all of God's children could be
resurrected and have the opportunity to
inherit eternal life.
Christian caring; like the Good Samaritan, the Savior was
continually reaching out to rescue, love, and nurture
people around him regardless of their culture, creed, or
circumstances.
Christian service; whether drawing water from a well,
cooking a meal of fish, or washing dusty feet, the savior
spent his days serving others, lifting up the weary and
strengthening the weak.
Christian patience; in his own sorrow and suffering, the
Savior waited upon His Father.
With patience for us, he waits upon us to come to ourselves
and come home to him.
Christian peace; throughout his ministry, he urged
understanding and promoted peace,
especially among his disciples.
He taught them that Christians cannot contend with other
Christians, notwithstanding their differences.
Christian forgiveness; he taught us to bless
those that curse us.
He showed us the way by praying that those who
crucified him would be forgiven.
Christian conversion; like Peter and Andrew, many
recognize the truth of the gospel as soon
as they hear it.
They are instantly converted.
For others, it may take longer.
In a revelation given through Joseph Smith, the Savior
taught, "That which is of God is light.
And he that receiveth light and continueth in God
receiveth more light.
And light groweth brighter and brighter until a perfect day,
the perfect day of our conversion." Jesus Christ is
the light and Redeemer of the world, the spirit of truth.
Christian endurance to the end; in all his days, the
Savior never gave up doing his Father's will, but continued
in righteousness, goodness, mercy and truth to the end of
his mortal life.
These are some of the characteristics of those who
hear and heed the Savior's voice.
As one of his special witnesses on earth, I give my
Christian testimony that he is calling to you, today,
come, follow me.
Come walk the path that leads to eternal happiness, joy, and
everlasting life in the Kingdom of
our Heavenly Father.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, amen.