Keep in mind that as an individual, a Presbyterian and a Protestant, my views of things may not line up exactly with other points of views. Any glaring errors in theology are mine, and if I misrepresent the views of any group, I apologize in advance and request corrections to be submitted to me.
The story of my church and my religion is a mixture of troubles and triumphs. There are things in its history that I am not proud of and have had trouble understanding. There are people today who, in my opinion, are not worthy representatives of Christ, but they seem to have the loudest voices on radio and TV and bring His words to millions. I make no excuses for people in Christianity's past or the character of the people in the present that abuse power and use God's word for their own gain. I simply keep my eye on the cross and try to make my own actions and heart measure up to Christ's example.
One basic idea that must be understood before we can see the gift God offers in Christ is that we all sin. I don't mean that we all break the law, I mean that by our nature we are not as God intended us to be. He created us free. Free to love Him, but even free to disobey Him. In this state of sinful disobediance we can not justify ourselves to God. We are not able to perfectly align our actions to His will. This is sin.
God has acted in our behalf many times in the history of my religion. Until His law was brought into the world through Moses, sin existed but was not imputed. When Moses brought the law to the people, he also brought a way to sacrifice to adjust the balance when sins were committed, but the constant existence in a state of sin was not fully addressed.
Christ's death is a way for us to pay for all the sin we do in one sacrifice. And what makes his sacrifice so unique is that we believe he was fully God in the person of a man. The architect of the universe cares so much for us that he would suffer and die to bridge the gap between us. And as long as we have faith in Christ's love for us, hope for eternal salvation, and love of God and each other, our sin is washed away.
Christianity is a way to believe
Faith is one of the cornerstones of Christianity. As a Christian, we believe many things. A good example of what Presbyterians believe is the apostles creed:
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. AMEN.
The exact particulars may be different in some denominations, but the all Christians have some things in common. We have faith in God's love for all people.
Christianity is a way of worship
Hope does not mean exactly the same thing now that it's greek root word meant in the time of Christ. Hope was used to mean almost a guarantee of the fulfillment of a desire as opposed to simply wishing for something like we use it today. Christian worship is our way to express love for God and hope for eternal salvation.
Christianity is a way of life
"Love your neighbor as yourself" is the greatest of Jesus' commandments. He expects Christians to help anyone in need that we can help, without any expectation of personal gain. He wanted us to focus on Love rather than simply following the letter of the law. He came at a time where men did good to raise themselves in other mens eyes, instead of God's. Jesus expects more of us than that.
"All fall short of the glory of God"
And while Christians hold this responsibility, we fail as often as we succeed. We are never better than anyone else. If someone ever tells you they are better because they are a Christian, I am telling you they aren't better and don't know what being a Christian is about. Christians aren't perfect. We aren't expected to be perfect. What we are expected to do is to try and to do so without bragging or showing off. We are to pray quietly, not shout at the street corners.
In closing I will leave you with words a wise minister told me. "If you ever find a perfect church, don't join it, because you will just mess it up." He jokes about the fact that human works are not perfect because we aren't. The truth is, going to church has more in common with going to a hospital than an exclusive social club. People in a hospital know they are sick and are there to get well. That is what being a Christian is all about. Christ is the doctor, but for him to help you, you have to admit you are sick and accept the prescription.