What Makes Me A Christian?

I can count the Sundays I missed church in the past twenty years on my hands. That doesn't make me a Christian, I served three years as a deacon at my church. That doesn't make me a Christian.  I attend Sunday School, maybe not as much as I attend regular church but it still doesn't make me a Christian. I pay tithes on my income and have done so for many years, but that doesn't make me a Christian. I pray and read Gods word everyday, but that doesn't make me a Christian. Over the years I have preached sermons in the house of God, but that still doesn't make me a Christian. I write this blog about what I read in God's word on a daily basis, or pretty regular, but that doesn't make me a Christian. Some may look at those actions and say it sure looks like a Christian to me. I can do any of those actions without actually being a Christian.  I ask a blessing over my food, but it may be commendable but it doesn't make me a Christian.  Even adding all these works up over the 35 years doesn't buy me entrance into heaven. Then what does make me a Christian?  Over thirty five years ago I came to an altar and repented of my sins. I asked Jesus to come into my heart and life that night many years ago. I do these things because of what happened that night. If I told you I haven't sinned since that night, I'd be lying. A few weeks ago on a road trip in Texas a man asked me when was the last time I repented,  I said probably last night. It is a free gift of God, that he gives when we ask. I cannot earn it, I cannot work my way into heaven.  7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.  1 John 1:7-10.   For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, Ephesians 2:8,  It is simply through faith, confessing our sins to him and asking Jesus to come into our hearts. All these works don't buy me anything. I am a Christian simply because I asked  Jesus to come into my heart and life. I haven't come through my trials squeaky clean but I have repented many times. It is because of what happened 35 years ago, I do these things. It is a way of life that started because of what happened at the cross 35 years ago. I will not tell you life has been perfect, it hasn't, but Jesus walked with me through every difficulty I have faced since that day.  I can say with Job:  25For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.  Job 19:25
  God bless, LVZ.