What is it to be like a Christian?

[Contributor: L. R.]

(in less than 500 words; to be exact, 443 words)

The Christian life is centered on the believer’s faith in Jesus Christ. It is an act of trust in Him. The Christian life is meant to be lived by faith. It is through faith that we enter the Christian life, and it is by faith that we live it out. When we begin the Christian life by coming to Christ for the forgiveness of our sins, we begin to experience the goodness and providence of God in all things. As we grow in our relationship with God, the Holy Spirit works within us, and we begin to see how our lives have been changed because of Him.

However, being a Christian comes with its challenges (costs). We are often hated and persecuted for our faith. Many believers face insults, humiliation, discrimination, arrest, beatings, torture, burning, or even death for their beliefs. This is happening all around the world. Only Christians with deep faith can endure such suffering. As I write, this persecution is ongoing in India too.

Despite these hardships, being a Christian makes us blessed. There is abundant life in Christ. As Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” If we believe in Him, we have eternal life in His name. If we remain in Him, He remains in us. By believing in Jesus Christ, we can be assured that even if we die one day, we will rise again and be with Him in the Kingdom He has prepared for all believers.

Being a Christian means fully believing in Christ, placing all our faith in Him, and committing our entire lives to Him. In return, He blesses our lives. He is our God and also a faithful friend who listens to us and never leaves us, whether in times of need, despair, or trouble.

The life of Jesus Christ is the perfect example of goodness. He lived selflessly, healed the sick, fed the hungry, and taught us to love one another. Ultimately, He died on the cross for the sins of humanity to give us the gift of eternal life. His ministry and sacrifice exemplify God’s goodness toward mankind. After all, the term “gospel” means “good news.” We are called to follow in the footsteps of Christ, doing good deeds as He did, showing love, compassion, and kindness to others, especially in times of difficulty.

As we follow Jesus, we are not just followers but also participants in the good news He brings. This means living out our faith in practical ways and sharing His love with the world, just as He demonstrated for us.

Help from the Hills? Looking Higher in Psalm 121

        When we are in trouble and uncertainty prevails, we instinctively look for help. For the ancient Israelite pilgrim, journeying through rugged terrain toward Jerusalem, the question was both physical and spiritual: “I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where does my help come?” (Psalm 121:1).

        At first glance, the hills might seem to offer strength, stability, and even protection. But the psalmist quickly redirects our sight even higher, to the Creator of the hills themselves. Psalm 121 doesn’t just offer comfort; it offers clarity. The help we truly need is not found in earthly elevation, but in divine preservation. God is not just a distant guardian. He is the absolute Preserver—ever-watchful, ever-present, and ever-committed to the well-being of His people.

        In this post, we’ll explore how Psalm 121 presents Yahweh as the absolute Preserver—the one who continually and unfailingly watches over His people. It’s fitting to summarize the entire psalm in one sentence: “God is the absolute Preserver.”

        The Hebrew wordשָׁמַר  (shamar), often translated as “keep” or “guard,” appears six times in this short psalm (vv. 3, 4, 5, 7 [twice], and 8). While “keep” is an accurate translation, the repeated use across the psalm reveals a deeper theological claim: God is not merely a guardian (keeper) in a general sense, but the one who perfectly preserves, without fail. The term “Preserver” captures this active and sustaining role.

        Remarkably, five out of the eight verses use שָׁמַר (shamar) or its derivatives to describe either who God is or what He does. Every verse contributes to the picture of a God who preserves completely and consistently. Here's how that theme unfolds:

• v1 – Help does not come from just anywhere; the implication is that help (preservation) comes from God.
• v2 – Help comes specifically from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
• v3 – God actively keeps His people—He is not passive.
• v4 – He keeps Israel, showing His covenant faithfulness.
• v5 – He is your keeper—present and personal.
• v6 – Even natural elements like the sun and moon cannot harm you under His care.
• v7 – God will keep you from all evil, preserving both body and soul.
• v8 – His preservation is ongoing—from now and forevermore.

        This psalm is deeply God-centered. Yahweh (God) is explicitly mentioned five times (vv. 2, 5 [twice], 7, 8), and even the verses where His name is not mentioned (vv. 1 and 6) strongly imply His presence and power. Although second-person pronouns are used in vv. 3, 5–8, the focus is not on the hearer’s response but on God, who is the preserver.

        Verse 1 introduces the psalm with a personal reflection, using the first-person pronoun, but a broader theological vision quickly overtakes this. This psalm is not primarily about the psalmist, not even his testimony. The psalmist’s story fades into the background as God takes center stage. Each verse contributes a distinct image of God’s absolute preservation:

• v1 – Hills may offer natural protection from enemies and even natural disasters such as winds, but they can fail. However, there is help that will not fail – an absolute help.
• v2 – As the Creator of heaven and earth, God is in absolute control of everything. Thus, He is the absolute preserver.
• v3 – His help is real, not an abstract thing. You don’t need to run as if there is no help. The Lord sees everything and is alert to the troubles, and to keep you safe.
• v4 – God is active and alive. He preserves Israel and will preserve you, too.
• v5 – God is like a protective shield—close, present, and effective.
• v6 – Even cosmic elements like the sun and moon are under His control. His preservation is limitless.
• v7 – God guards you from “all” evil, including spiritual and physical threats—now and eternally.
• v8 – God will direct and preserve your every step, – you don’t need to be afraid both now and forever.

        Notably, the psalm contains no imperative commands—it doesn’t urge the reader to believe, seek, or trust. Yet the implications are clear: if this is who God is, then He alone is worthy of your trust. The psalmist assumes a reader who is likely an Israelite or a worshiper of Yahweh.

        In conclusion, Psalm 121 boldly declares that Yahweh’s help is absolute. There is no greater security than the one found in Him. His help is not abstract, occasional, or partial—it is present, personal, and permanent. And it is offered to you who lift your eyes to Him (“lift my eyes” – v1).

Finding Completeness in Christ: A Testimony of Faith

Contributed by G. Rwangmei

(in less than 1000 words; to be exact, 824 words)

        A person who knows Christ, follows Christ, and receives Christ as his personal Savior is a Christian. Today, most Christians are known as "Christians" simply because they were born and brought up in a Christian household. I was among the many people who were so-called Christians. I always knew who God is—that is, Jesus Christ. We were taught about Him and His works in Sunday school. I have parents, five caring brothers, and friends around me. I have many reasons to be happy, and I am indeed happy with all that I have right now. But despite everything, I always felt incomplete, as though something crucial was missing in my life—a missing puzzle piece.

        I sought completeness in life from my friends, books, hobbies, and other people. I thought that these things would fill the emptiness I felt inside. Sometimes, I ventured off the path and got lost, or forgot to come back to God. I didn’t always realize I was drifting. At one point, I even wondered if God didn’t want me, or if maybe He didn’t exist at all. Everything seemed to be going wrong, and I started to doubt. I stopped praying, even the simple prayers I had been saying since childhood. I stopped reading my Bible. I could feel the distance between God and me growing wider. The bond that had once been strong was now drifting apart, but I didn’t care enough to mend it. I never bothered to look back and see where things had gone wrong, nor did I reflect on the state I was in from God’s perspective.

        The best thing I did during that time was cry out to God. I asked Him to help me become prayerful again, to draw me back to Him. I prayed for the strength to start reading the Bible again and to delight in prayer once more. I didn’t realize at the time that God was already answering my prayers. In the midst of my struggles, I thought God had abandoned me because He didn’t fix my problems right away. But, in reality, He was using those situations to teach me. He showed me that there’s no completeness without Him, that in Him, I am truly complete. He made it clear that He is all I need and everything to me.

        Life began to get better once I put God first. As I turned back to Him, things started falling into place. I resumed reading my Bible, and I started praying again. Spending time with God’s Word became essential for my spiritual growth. It wasn’t just about fulfilling a religious duty, but about nurturing my relationship with Him. God had been with me all this time, even when I forgot my promises to Him and went astray. No matter how many times I stumbled, He always found a way to bring me back.

        At the end of the day, I realized it was my God-given faith that had been pushing me forward through life’s journey. There was no other motivation, no role model I followed to get me through—only my faith in Him. I remembered the gospel—the good news—and the love of Christ. He died for me. At times, I thought, “If God came now, would I be ready? Would I be chosen to go to heaven?” I didn’t feel ready. I always knew Christ died for me and that He loved me, but I had never truly grasped the depth of that love—the sufficiency of His love, not my worthiness.

        Now, I have realized what it really means to be a Christian. Being a Christian is about experiencing the love of Jesus and the power of His Spirit as we obey His Word. Christ died for me, taking the penalty for my sin once and for all, so that I can be saved forever, never to be lost again. I am free—free from the burden of sin, free from the fear of judgment, and free from the wrath of God. I am God’s child in Christ, not by my own doing, but by His sheer love and grace.

        I can now proudly say that I am going to heaven because I believe in Christ and trust that He has prepared a place for me in His Kingdom. Moreover, as I live now, I live to please Him. In pleasing Him, I find true meaning and completeness in life. “For me to live is Christ, to die is gain,” as it was to the Apostle Paul (Philippians 1:21).

        Through this journey, I have learned that only in Christ can we find what we are truly searching for. No pursuit in this world can bring us the completeness that He offers. All of us have moments where we feel lost, like we are missing something, but it is only through turning back to Him that we find what we were always looking for.