“What Being Christian Means”- Backstory

“What Being Christian Means” is one of my newest songs I’ve written and recorded at Black Mountain, NC with famed producer Neal Merrick Blackwood.  I love this song and am excited for you to hear it! If you are reading this in 2026, you will be able to listen to it on all platforms through this Hear Now link

Below are the lyrics and below that is the backstory! May it bless you and build your faith!

What Being Christian Means
c2024 Julie Kinscheck

VERSE: I’m Saved, I’m Free
Beloved of the Most High God
Was lost, Now I’m found!
One day I’ll wear the Victor’s Crown

PRE-CHORUS: Disciple of my Risen Lord- Jesus Christ!
I got the best Insurance plan
He paid with his life!

CHORUS: Sanctified, Redeemed
That’s What Being Christian Means
I’m Saved! I’m free!
That’s What Being Christian Means
His Grace- Forgives me!
That’s What Being Christian Means to me!

VERSE: My sin washed away
Baptized in the blood of Christ
I walk in His ways
I see the world through Spirit eyes

PRE-CHORUS: I meditate upon His Word -day and night
I choose to believe His truth
Become His Holy Bride

CHORUS: Sanctified, Redeemed
That’s What Being Christian Means
I’m Saved! I’m free!
That’s What Being Christian Means
His Grace- Forgives me!
That’s What Being Christian Means to me!

BRIDGE: Jesus
Brings me peace, also a sword
Jesus
My shepherd and my Risen Lord
Jesus
He fills my heart up with His love
Jesus
He waits for me in eternity- somewhere up above!

(SCAT SOLO)

PRE-CHORUS: The Spirit is my comfort- I am not alone
Adopted in His family-
The Kingdom is my home!

A cappella CHORUS: Sanctified, Redeemed
That’s What Being Christian Means
I’m Saved! I’m free!
That’s What Being Christian Means
His Grace- Forgives me!
That’s What Being Christian

OUT-CHORUS: Sanctified, Redeemed
That’s What Being Christian Means
I’m Saved! I’m free!
That’s What Being Christian Means
His Grace- Forgives me!
His Grace- Forgives me!
His Grace- Forgives me-
That’s What Being Christian Means to me
That’s What t Being Christian Means to me
(That’s what it means to me)
That’s What Being Christian Means to me
(That’s what it means to me)
That’s What Being Christian Means to me

So I was messing around on my guitar one day and some of this chorus started to fall out of me. God just dropped it onto my head. It might have been inspired by a sermon taught by our beloved evangelist Glenn Petruzzi… or maybe even some fired up words from our young campus minister Daniel Sharma, I don’t quite remember, but I was pondering what it meant for me to be a Christian.

I mean, I am not a Christian because I grew up that way, I was turned off to the Lord by what I saw in my childhood church. I am not a Christian to make sure I get to heaven (though I am sure happy my name is written in the book!). I am not a Christian because of the beautiful services at Christmas and Easter (which I do enjoy) or because of the Christmas carols I really dig (and sing tons of in December with my Caroling band, The Harmony Jewels). I am not a Christian because of America (a Christian nation? Not so much lately!), or a college professor who taught a class “The Life and Teachings of Jesus” and then proceeded to try to establish doubts as to the validity of the scriptures (certainly not!)!

From Verse #1: I am a Christian because when I was at my lowest point, lost my voice, lost my fiancé, lost my friends, lost my hope- when He showed His love to me. “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Jesus died for us”- Romans 5:8

As the beginning of the first verse states “I’m saved, I’m free, Beloved of the most high God.” I was indeed so lost and lonely, but God found me. “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.”- Psalm 40:2

BANDCAMP LINK

And I will overcome, be a victor over all of Satan’s schemes and wear the victor’s crown! (One of my favorite songs to sing at Easter: “Victor’s Crown” by Hillsong!)

Did you have one of those turning point moments in your journey of faith?

Pre-Chorus #1: I learned that being a Christian means more than just believing in Jesus, but living as His disciple… but when you press on to end, because of Jesus’ sacrifice, Heaven is guaranteed! “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” – Philippians 3:12

Walking as a disciple isn’t always easy. I’ve have gotten better at it after 35 years in the Lord, but Satan still likes to attack. The spiritual battle is real. One of the first things I found hard was simply turning my will over to God. I was fiercely independent; I even wrote a song called “Little Miss Independent”  which I performed at my senior recital at Berklee so many years ago!

Along with letting go of my will was my pride. Now I can easily say God is in control (though, ok, I do take it back and stress now and then), but giving up that feeling that I deserved something, like fame for instance, continues to be hard. You see, I had this feeling that I was called to greatness since I was a little girl, and I have not sat idly by waiting for it, I have worked hard and long. But part of being a disciple is doing God’s will as Jesus did- so once one is at peace with the concept, you still have to figure out if you’re on the right track! I believe I am, but I can be impatient!

CHORUS: In the end, Jesus came to redeem us, pay for my sins, give me grace! Wow! That is certainly something to celebrate! OK, there is time to seriously look at the sins He saved us from and be reverently grateful for the suffering He endured- but there is also time for joy! “Rejoice  in the Lord always. I say it again, rejoice!”- Philippians 4

Hear Now Link

VERSE #2: Getting to the waters of baptism was a struggle! You see, I had seen much hypocrisy from those who claimed to be leaders in the church I grew up in. I really wanted nothing to do with this God. But one thing I didn’t figure out, until I studied the Bible, was that I can’t blame men for not following God’s teachings. God’s Word in incredible, powerful, right. When you follow it you see the fruit in your life and heart. “Hold to my teaching, then you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” – John 8: 31-32

In fact, there were three baptisms the night I was baptized, January 6th, 1991 at that little church building in Lexington, MA. As I waited, I remember crying; I was scared. I was afraid that my life would change and I would somehow get lost in the church and lose my identity. I realized that i I took this step, I would never recant. But my fears were unfounded! When I came up out of the waters of baptism to voice singing “Lord of All” I felt an inexplicable joy! The only thing I lost was the old sinful self, the hardened, driven, lonely, self-centered young woman with a long trail of messed up relationships that I used to be. Who I found was a joyful, confident young woman, returned to innocence and wonder; no longer lonely, but clean and fresh, fulfilled! I had a new spiritual outlook on life.

Pre-Chorus #2: Lasting this long as a Christian has only happened by spending continual time in God’s Word. “But whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
³ That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers.” – Psalm 1:2-3

As humans, sometimes we doubt; we know we shouldn’t, but we do. It is those times we have a choice to make: continue in what we already know to be true from the Word and our experience, or give up and return to our slimy pit. I choose to believe through the hard times. “We choose Life!”  (That is the title of another new song releasing later in 2026!)