We are incomplete without Christ. Our greatest need in life is Jesus Christ. But, what do we have to do to be a Christian? A pastor once put it like this:

"Being a real Christian means more than changing one's clothes or even being baptized. It means more than having one's name entered in the church books or holding a high office in the church. It means more than giving bundles of money to worthy causes. It means more than writing great books about Jesus or preaching inspiring sermons about faith. A Christian is someone who is like Christ in character" - Pr. Doug Batchelor, 2010

Like Christ in character? But, as humans we are so evil-minded all the time! How in the world can we be like Christ in character? In John 1:12 the Bible tells us,

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" - John 1:12

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" - 2 Corinthians 5:17

Radical! All things become new!

"Once you become a Christian, Jesus doesn't leave you to walk on your own. He is there every step of the way empowering you and giving you the strength to war against your own selfish desires. He also changes your desires! The things you once loved, you now hate and the things you were uncomfortable doing now becomes a joy! What a wonderful Savior!" - Triplett, 2009

It's vital for us to be free from sin. Sin gets in the way of your relationship with God. In the story of Cain and Abel we see the situation played out in detail. Abel was doing God's will, Cain was not. Cain let his sin grow because he was jealous of his brother. From that moment forward, history tells us that the descendants of Cain took part in their parent's sins. Look at history and you will see the horrible consequences of this rebellion.

So being Christian means having a living relationship with Jesus Christ as our savior from Sin. He will, if we are true to Him, change us into real Christians: so we can be prepared to meet our Lord at any moment.

"The grace of Christ must be woven into every phase of the character. . . . Daily growing into the life of Christ creates in the soul a haven of peace; in such a life there is a continual bearing of fruit. . . . In the lives of those who are ransomed by the blood of Christ, self-sacrifice will constantly appear. Goodness and righteousness will be seen. The quiet, inward experience will make the life full of godliness, faith, meekness, patience. This is to be our daily experience. We are to form characters free from sin--characters made righteous in and by the grace of Christ." - Ellen White, God's Amazing Grace, pg. 320