What does it mean to be Christian?

So today is the last day before we enter the season of Lent.  It is a time of personal and spiritual reflection.  A time where we repent for our sins.  A time that began as a time when people would prepare to be Christians. 

During Lent you may hear a lot of people give up sodas or sweets.  A lot of people may even take on something such as working out or eating healthier.  These are all things that people may do to make themselves a better person.

You may also hear some people say that they are going be a better Christian by going to church more. 

But my question for you is to ask, is that how you become a better Christian?

Does going to church make you a better Christian?

Does sitting in a garage make you a car?

While I am not trying to diminish the value of going to church.  It is an important aspect of Christianity.  However, I feel that there is much more to it as well.

When we are going up, many times we hear or are told that to be a good Christian you must behave and be a good person or else you will go to Hell.

Is that really all that it means to be a Christian?  Be good or go to Hell?

I would like to think that there is a lot more to it than that.  That there is much more to Christianity than a moral code.  This view seems to state that being a good person goes hand in hand with being a Christian.

Well, I have a few friends that are very nice people but are also atheist.  So I know that these two things are not mutually exclusive.

So my question for you today is a simple one that may have a thousand different answers.

What does it mean to be a Christian to you?

And as we move through the season of Lent, how can you use this time to make yourself a better Christian?

When you think about it, you may find that the answer to this question is a lot deeper than merely saying, I’ll go to church more.