A nation might be saturated by true (not “cultural”) Christians. It can even be founded on Christian principles, as America distinctly was. But those facts alone don’t make a nation “Christian.”

I grew up in Argentina. I’m an Argentine by birth, and I’m proud of it. But it’s a birthright … a fact. I had nothing to do with it. It was not a choice I made.

Being a Christian has nothing to do with birthright or nationality. It has nothing to do with how a country, or even a family, is created. Being a Christian, plain and simple, is a relationship. It’s a decision.

In short, being a Christian is being a committed follower of Jesus Christ.

Many times when I talk to people about being a Christian, they respond to me any number of ways:

“I’ve been a Christian my entire life.”
“I grew up in a Christian home.”
“I’ve gone to church since I was a baby.”

And just like this week’s question suggests, I’ve even had some people tell me, “I’m an American! Of course I’m a Christian!”

Since when does where you were born have anything to do with what you are?

If you are born in a stable are you automatically a horse? If you are born in a garage are you automatically a car?

The Bible makes it very clear what it takes to become a Christian. It tells us in the book of Romans, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (become a Christian). For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” In fact, this is how I became a true Christian at age 12 . . . by personal choice.

As the Bible teaches, becoming a Christian – a committed follower of Jesus Christ – is a personal thing. It has to do with the heart. No country, family, or religion can make that decision for you.

Becoming a Christian is a decision we all must make for ourselves. You can’t drift into Christianity by “osmosis,” and you can’t assume it based off of the country in which you live – a common misconception.

Was the United States founded on Christian principles? I believe so. If you read writings from many of the founding fathers it seems clear that they were followers of, or strongly impressed by, Jesus Christ and the teachings of God’s Word – the Holy Bible.

But quite honestly, what the founding fathers believed says very little about our country today. In fact, it says very little even about the choices their children, grandchildren, and descendants have made. The founding fathers, as well as every individual throughout history, had to make that decision for themselves.

Is America a “Christian nation?” If you mean “Christianized nation” as described above, I believe it is. But what truly matters is not a country’s reputation – it’s an individual’s personal belief about Jesus Christ that makes us who we are.

For more information on Luis Palau, visit www.palau.org. To get a free copy of Luis Palau’s book, “What is a Real Christian?” email info@palau.org.