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Are You a Follower of Christ Because You Were Born into a Christian Family?

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I part of growing in our knowledge of Christ is exploring questions about who he is and how we follow him. Questions are good! Let us know your thoughts or concerns and we’ll connect with you.

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You become a follower of Jesus Christ based solely on your personal relationship with Him.

You are not born into Christianity nor do you go automatically to heaven because of your family’s religious beliefs. You cannot go to heaven because you were born in a nation that considers itself to be “Christian.” You cannot go to heaven because you consider yourself to be a “good” person. The only way to heaven is for you to be in right relationship with Jesus Christ.

God gives each individual a free will. We decided if we will follow God or if we will follow someone else or another philosophy. Since we each have a free will, we will each be responsible for the consequences of our actions. We can please God by obeying Him and loving others. We know that we will go to heaven. If we choose not to please God and are unwilling to love others then we will not go to heaven.

The book of Deuteronomy in the Old Testament portion of the Bible we read the following: “Parents are not to be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their parents; each will die for their own sin” (Deuteronomy 24:16, NIV).

In Ezekiel, also in the Old Testament, expands this thought. We learn that a righteous person can live a life that honors God. But if the child of that person commits sins against God then the parent’s righteousness will not save the child. Each one is accountable for actions before God. In the same way, if the parent was unrighteous and dishonored God but the child was righteous then the child will be saved. Again, each one is accountable before God. You can read this in Ezekiel chapter eighteen.

God wants to be in a person relationship with you. While your family, your education, your friends, and your nationality may influence you positively or negatively, it is your personal relationship with God that decides if you are a believer.