WHAT?

Did you know that 20% of the folks in Britain think that “haggis” is an animal that roams the Scottish Highlands? That’s what a survey done last week declared, as reported by Reuters. The study was commissioned by the online carry-out food service, Just-Eat.co.uk.

For those Americans who don’t know what a “haggis” is, (and who also suspect, with the aforementioned 20% of Brits, that this is a rare beast that dwells on a hilltop) here goes: “Haggis is a dish containing sheep’s ‘pluck’ (heart, liver and lungs), minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt, mixed with stock, and traditionally simmered in the animal's stomach for approximately three hours.” That’s what Wikipedia tells us. The photo shows an intact specimen. (For my personal experience with this Scottish delicacy, see here.)

Just-Eat requisitioned the opinions of 1,623 of the good people from all across the U.K. to discover their acquaintance with traditional Scottish culinary fare. Obviously, they weren’t acquainted at all. (Of course, not! Not in a land where the national dish is an Indian concoction—chicken tikka masala! BTW, the adventurous can procure a “haggis bhaji” or “haggis samosa”—a deep fried variant of the Scottish dish—in Indian restaurants in dodgy parts of Scotland!)

15% of those 1,623 claimed “haggis” was a Scottish musical instrument. Maybe they thought it was Gaelic for “bagpipes.” Some (4%) even asserted that “haggis” was a character from the Harry Potter series. Close. That was “Hagrid.”

What was even more suprising was that 14% of 781 Scottish folks surveyd did not know what “haggis” was. Yup, 14% of Scots had no clue. And “haggis” is the national dish of Scotland.

I wonder how many of us who call ourselves “Christian” can say what exactly that species of humankind is.

Nope, it’s not inherited in one’s genes. Nope, it’s not by virtue of citizenship in so-called “Christian nations.” Nope, it’s not because I go to church on Sundays and even given them my money. Nope, it’s not adherence to a system. Nor is it to help the poor and needy. In fact, there is nothing—nothing!—one can do to be a Christian.

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds
which we have done in righteousness,
but according to His mercy ….
Titus 3:5

Well, then, what is it to be a “Christian”?

To be a “Christian” is to be one who, because he or she has believed in Jesus Christ as their only God and Savior, has had his or her sins forgiven as a result of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and has thus become a child of God, and part of the people of God.

But as many as received Him [Jesus],
to them He gave the right
to become children of God,
—to those who believe in His name.
John 1:12

Nope, nothing you can do to be Christian. One must simply believe, in faith, placing their trust in Jesus Christ for salvation from sin.

For God so loved the world,
that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him
shall not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:16

That is what it means to be a Christian. One becomes a Christian not by doing something, but by believing Someone—one who died on the cross to pay the price of our sins, fully and finally.

For by grace you have been
saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves,
it is the gift of God;
not as a result of works ….
Ephesians 2:8–9

It’s a free gift! Will you take it?