Are you a Generic Christian. ..?

Some prescription medication can be really expensive. ... so expensive that we sometimes look to get a cheaper version of that medication called a generic. ..Now a generic can be defined as having the characteristics of or relating to a product, but having no brand name or registered trademark. .. A generic will seem to do all the things the original does. ... in fact it can look like, act like, even taste like the original. .. and yet it is considered an imitation. .. usually one might say. ... it's just as good as the original. ..

But. .. when you examine the Generic more closely. .. often times there is a key ingredient that has been substituted. ..and this substitution is what separates the original from the Generic. .. A substitute can be defined as a person or thing acting in the place of another. ... Acting is a word that one should never use when describing a Christian. ... So. .. how does one become a Christian and what does that look like. ..

According to Romans 10: 9-10 . ..That if thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God has raised Him from the dead, thou shall be saved. .. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. ..

Often times. .. we want to believe that if one is a good person, and they do good in their community then that qualifies as a Christian. .. But Ephesians 2: 8-9 states. .. For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. .. So. .. how does God's word define a Christian?

Acts 11: 26. .. states, "the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch". ..And Acts 2:38. .. states Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. ..

The gift of the Holy Ghost. ... the one ingredient that separates the Generic from the Real Thing. .. You can't buy it. .. you can't just be good and get it. .. you don't get it because your parents have it. .. your nationality, political party, social beliefs or race don't give you any kind of preference or advantage. .. If you believe otherwise. .. you might be a Generic Christian. ... II Timothy 3:5. .. states "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. .. It may look good, your friends may even tell you that you are good, and you are right and they are wrong. .. but power and understanding can only come from the Holy Ghost and IF you have not received this wonderful gift from God. ... you are missing the main ingredient. .. your religion has no power. ... your belief has no authority. .. you are simply practicing a cheap imitation. .. doing what somebody told you. .. but never really knowing Christ for yourself. ... Let him into your life today. .. don't ever accept Generic when it come to your salvation. ..accept Jesus Christ into your life and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost today. .. accepting this most precious gift gives you the power to overcome and achieve all that God has ordained in your life. .. and just an FYI before I close. .. The Holy Ghost is a registered trademark of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. .. you will never see this ingredient in a Generic. .. and there is no substitute. .. May God Bless the readers of His word Amen.