WHO IS A CHRISTIAN?

A dictionary definition of a Christian would be something similar to “a person professing belief in Jesus as the Christ or is a religion based on the teachings of Jesus.” While this is a definition many dictionaries will state, it falls short of really communicating the biblical truth of what it means to be a Christian. A Christian is not a baptized person, a church member or a weekly worshipper. In fact, there are many counterfeit Christians, but a few real ones.

The word “Christian” is used three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). Followers of Jesus Christ were first called “Christians” in Antioch (Acts 11:26) because their behavior, activity, and speech were like Christ. The word “Christian” literally means –“a follower of Jesus Christ.”       

General view

Unfortunately over time, the word “Christian” has lost its true meaning and is often used as someone who is religious or has high moral values but who may or may not be a true follower of Jesus Christ. Many people who do not believe and trust in Jesus Christ consider themselves Christians simply because they go to church or they live in a “Christian” nation. But going to church or being a good person does not make you a Christian. Being a member of a church, attending services regularly, and giving to the work of the church does not make you a Christian.

There are no hyphenated Christians either, like Baptist-Christian, Methodist-Christian, Pentecost-Christian, etc. We should not also use terms like “conservative Christian” or “liberal Christian”. The Lord never prefixed or suffixed the name Christian. “Christian” is a noun and not an adjective such that we cannot use the term “Christian home”, “Christian School”, Christian Sabbath, etc. 

Who are not Christians?

Christianity is a name assumed rather than assigned. Not all good people are Christians. Morality is required but morality alone does not make one a Christian. Nicodemus was a good man but he had not been born again (Jn 3:1-5kjb). Cornelius was a good man, but he had to hear words to be saved (Acts 11:14kjb).

Not all “religious” people are Christians. Some heathens are religious (Acts 17:22kjb). Paul held to what was false (Acts26:5,9kjb). There are two kinds of religion- pure and defiled (James 1:26-27kjb). It is worth noting also, that not all church members are Christians. Joining or attending a church does not make one a Christian. There are therefore many who are in the “church of Christ” who are not Christians at all and this has become a dangerous phenomenon for many.

Who are Christians?

The Bible teaches that the good works we do cannot make us acceptable to God. Titus 3:5 says, “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” Therefore, a Christian is someone who has been born again by God (John 3:3; John 3:7; 1 Peter 1:23) and has put faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8 tells us that it is “…by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

                                      
A true Christian is a person who has put faith and trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ, including His death on the cross as payment for sins and His resurrection on the third day. John 1:12 tells us, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” The mark of a true Christian is love for others and obedience to God’s Word (1 John 2:4, 10). A true Christian is indeed a child of God, a part of God’s true family, and one who has been given new life in Jesus Christ (2Corin. 5:17). 

                                                              
Christian Test

To see if we are Christians or not, we need to ask ourselves these   pertinent questions:

A. First and foremost, have I obeyed the gospel? As we have shown, one cannot be a Christian when he hasn't put on Christ.

 B. Did I obey the gospel from conviction or convenience? Rom.6:17. If it was for family, prestige, etc., there was no        

     conviction.

C. Am I willing to suffer as a Christian? 1 Pet. 4:16; Heb. 10:32-34. One who is willing to suffer for something has     deep conviction.  One who is unwilling to suffer for the name of Christ is not a Christian.

D. Am I separated from the world in recreation, language, conduct, apparel? Rom. 12:2; James 1:27.

E. Am I truly devoted to Christ? Do I love the brethren, or do I have no time for them? John 13:34-35. Do I attend      the minimum or maximum number of services (of a true church)? Heb. 10:25. Do I give liberally or miserly? Do I sacrifice or give God the leftovers?

 F. Am I truly interested in leading others to Christ?  Christ came to seek and to save the lost. We need to follow

     in His steps.(Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 1:8)

G. Do I appreciate “strong” preaching?  Am I offended when the Bible condemns my sins? What is my reaction when religious error is exposed? Gal. 4:16; John 6:66

H. Am I growing in the faith? 2 Pet. 1:5-8; 1Pet.2:2. Am I concerned about my spiritual development and that of my family?     

Conclusion 

When one dies, the all-important question to be asked should not be “Was he rich, a great athlete, scholar...?   But rather, "Was he (she) a Christian?"

Are you really a Christian, or just wearing the name?

Have you made a decision for Christ because of what you have read here? If so, you can become a Christian today by accepting Jesus Christ as your personal saviour in faith (John 3:16, John 1:12, Rev. 3:20) and obeying His word. Here is a suggested prayer below:

“LORD JESUS, I ADMIT THAT I HAVE BEEN RUNNING MY OWN LIFE AND HAVE SINNED AGAINST YOU. COME INTO MY LIFE AND FORGIVE MY SINS. TAKE CONTROL OF MY LIFE AND MAKE ME A NEW PERSON. THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING MY PRAYER.”  AMEN.

                                                                                                                                                                   

THERE IS ONE MORE THING…..

n  Your relationship with Christ grows as you trust God more and more with every detail of our life as these :

G… Go to God in prayer daily

R… Read God’s word daily

O… Obey God moment by moment

W… Witness for Christ by your life and word

T… Trust God for every detail of your life

H… Have the Holy spirit, who is in you now, control and give you daily power and……

           Have fellowship with other Christians (Heb. 10:25, Act 2:42-44), who have also found Jesus as their saviour and are experiencing his love.

GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU….. As you continue to trust him with every detail of your life. AMEN!