A woman I know asked me the other day to define for them what a Christian is. She had seen many who called themselves Christians both in the media and on the street that had turned her off.
She had attended a church locally only to be turned off by the hypocrisy of the pastor and judgemental attitudes of some in the congregation.
So knowing that I was a Christian Bible study leader she asked me how I would define a Christian.
I felt I needed to share my answer.
I answered her initially with the obvious.
A Christian believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. That Jesus died for their sins. They are someone who has confessed their sin directly to Jesus and as a result have had their sins forgiven.
Christians are saved by faith Paul stating,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
The writer of Hebrews noting,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6
That being said I believe a Christian must be far more.
Contrary to what seems to come across in the media many times a Christian is not the judge of the world.
The apostle Paul writes,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1Corinthians 5:12,13.
We are to keep our own house clean not to worry about judging the world Jesus said,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1,2.
I admit all too many Christians do judge. Lack of a judgemental attitude is a characteristic of a true Christian.
A True Christian is doing what Jesus said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28 :18-20.
A true Christian is being a light to the world, Jesus said,
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven”
Matthew 5:14-16.
A true Christian shows his or her faith in their deeds.
James writes,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.”
James 2:14-19.
Perhaps Francis of Assisi in a prayer says what Christian should be when he writes,
“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”
Francis of AssisiYes there are many in the media, in the pulpit and in the pews that claim they are Christians but they are not. Jesus even says,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Matthew 7:21-23
Think about it.
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