What Does It Mean To Be A Christian?
It means essentially that God has done something in our hearts that we can not do for ourselves. He has given us new life with a new hope and a new purpose. It means that by His grace we have seen our need, repented of our sin and had our relationship with God healed. This all happened through Jesus Christ and to be associated with Him means we have stepped out in a new kind of life which can be described as one man said, “by four verbs.”
First of all, a Christian is one who believes in Jesus Christ and what the Bible teaches as true. In John 3:16 we read “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” A Christian believes that heaven is a free gift and that not all will receive it.
(Romans 6:23) He believes in judgment and punishment for sin. He believes God cannot tolerate sin and must deal with it and will deal with it. He also believes that Jesus Christ is God. That He came from heaven to be our Savior because He loves us. (John 3:16) He believes Jesus was born in a manger, lived, taught and died in our place for our sin, was buried and rose again to save us from our sin and the penalty for it. In short a Christian is one who believes in Jesus Christ and what He taught as true.
Second, a Christian is one who has received Jesus. Just to believe the truth about Jesus does not make one a Christian. The Bible says even the devils believe and tremble. They are not Christians. In John 1:12 we read that not only is a Christian one who believes the truth about Jesus but one who is also willing to act on it. “But as many as received Him to them gave He the authority to become the sons of God. Even to those that believe on His name." I may offer you an invitation, but in order for you to show up at the party you must receive that invitation. You must trust and receive it, believing I mean every word. Its one thing, to believe that Jesus died for the world it’s quite another to believe that He died for me personally. The Christian is one who accepts Christ’s work on his behalf personally and trusting in Him alone. Some churches put great stress on obeying the Laws and Commandments but the commandments of Christ are fully defined in 1 John 3:23-24.
Thirdly, a Christian is one who not only believes in Jesus and receives Jesus but also confesses Jesus. In Romans 10:9 the Bible says “If you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead you shall be saved.” Very briefly a Christian is one who is willing to be identified with Jesus and openly admit his dependence on Him and trust in Him as Lord and Savior. A Christian confesses Jesus.
Finally, a Christian is one who follows Jesus. Jesus said “My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me.” A Christian installs Jesus as Lord of his life, and endeavors to learn to obey His teachings, by the law of love and servant hood. He is willing to suffer for Christ’s sake and is absolutely confident that he will know God’s reward both now and throughout eternity.
In summary a Christian:
Believes that the Bible is true, that God revealed Himself in Jesus Christ, and that Christ took care of the very real problem of his sin.
Receives Jesus Christ as God’s gift to him and in so doing repents and receives forgiveness of sin, the Holy Spirit and a new kind of life.
Confesses Christ for his salvation, and confesses Him unashamedly before others.
Follows Christ, installing Him as Lord of his life, trying to learn and obey Christ’s teachings and attempting to live by law of love and servant hood.
If you would like to know more about becoming a Christian please reach out. We’d be happy to talk to you!