A young boy, about 12 years old and new to the church came to me one day after VBS. Nervously, he told me he wanted to be a Christian. ” How does one become a Christian,?”  He asked. I could tell he was quite serious.  He deserved a thoughtful, immediate, yet practical answer.

What would you say?    (Think about this for three minutes)

I shifted my thought processes into hyper-speed.  Several things came to mind

• Act like a Christian
• Think like a Christian
• Do like a Christian.

A  theological response was not what he wanted, nor was it appropriate.  He was after some action he could start and feel like he was making progress, something he could comprehend now, and start doing now.

Act Like a Christian

I first suggested he look to people he thought were Christians and see how they act.  Notice how they don’t act as well. Notice what actions or behaviors are acceptable to others and those that are not. Start developing behaviors exhibited by Christians.

Think Like a Christian

Get a Bible and look at the  New Testament.  Read it with other people like a Bible study group for example, and talk about what the Bible says.  In the Bible Christ’s directions are written down. This will help you think and understand the message of Christ.

Do Like a Christian

Finally, Do like a Christian.  Notice how Christians help others, how generous they are with whatever they have, how they encourage each other.  They volunteer to help others and think of the needs of others before their own.   Watch them and do likewise.

Above all, don’t TRY to be a Christian, BE a Christian in thought word and deed.

The movie “Star Wars” included a scene in which Yodi asked Luke Skywalker to use his mind to pull a starship from the mud.  Luke knew he could move stones with his mind, but a starship?  He agreed to try, but the Yodi said NO TRY, Try NOT. DO or DO NOT.  The point is you get to be a Christian by doing, not trying.  Trying leave room for failure.  Doing brings results.

I asked the young fellow to think about what I said, and if he wanted to talk some more, come back

I prayed for that boy.  In a few days, he came back with questions, very insightful questions that I was able to help him understand.  Three years later he was a VBS recreation leader.  5 years later he was a bible study leader.  Happily, he told me he was becoming a Christian.

In a real sense aren’t we all in the process of becoming Christians?