What does it truly mean to be a Christian? If you stopped every person you walked by today to ask this question, the answers and responses would range from “I don’t discuss religion” to “God isn’t real” and everything in between, including the sincere, the fanatics, know-it-alls, hypocrites, and the doubters alike. You name it, and you’ll probably hear it all. This question has been pondered, debated, and explored for centuries. In a world where labels are abundant, and definitions are subjective, understanding the true nature of Christian identity requires a deeper exploration of biblical teachings and examples. This article delves into biblical references to clarify the crux of being a Christian. The following questions derived from frequently asked inquiries from non-believers and Christian alike. Let’s get some answers and guidance to better understand what it is to be a Christian.
What is a Christian?
A Christian follows and practices the teachings and example of Jesus Christ, centering their life around faith in Him and striving to live according to His principles of love, compassion, and righteousness. Notice all the action words: follows, striving to live, love, compassion, and righteousness. They aren’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination. They practice and live out the Scriptures just as much as they study them. The evidence shows up in their transformed life and lifestyle.
What are the Foundational Beliefs of Christianity?
Christianity is built upon the foundation of faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, who came to earth, died for humanity’s sins, and rose again, offering salvation to all who believe in Him. With that right given to become His children the Holy Spirit lives in us now (1 Corinthians 3:16). One of the most effective way to dive into the foundational beliefs of Christianity is through systematic theology. A understanding of the basic foundations of God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the bible, humanity, faith, sanctification, and eternity are the bare boned basics and a good starting place to better understand these foundational beliefs.
Biblical Reference: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NIV)
It comes back to being a follower and not just a fan of Jesus. A true follower yields and surrender to the process of sanctification without pretending to behave the “right” way.
How Does One Become a Christian?
Becoming a Christian involves repentance (metanoeō: to change your mind, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins – Interlinear KJV Thayer’s Greek Lexicon), acknowledging one’s need for forgiveness, and accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The evidence of being born-again can’t be hidden. It feels like a weight has been lifted and you can see and think clearly. You are so excited you can’t keep quiet about it. If you have ever had a crush or been in love with someone, you know how you are all in and thinking about them and want to be around them all the time. Same thing with God. You can’t get enough of that love and freedom. The more you keep learning more and more about Him the more you fall in love with His goodness. It seems too good to be true in all honesty, but then He reminds us, no…He’s just Good.
Biblical Reference: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” (Acts 3:19, NIV)
What Does It mean to Live as a Christian?
Living as a Christian means imitating Christ’s character, walking in love, humility, and obedience to God’s will. It’s that simple but also complex in how that shows up in our life. It comes back to being a follower and not just a fan of Jesus. A true follower yields and surrender to the process of sanctification without pretending to behave the “right” way. It’s a surrender to the Holy Spirit in His leading to righteousness and sometimes that will take correction and rebuke and full alignment to Kingdom life even when you don’t “feel” like it. Many don’t talk about this part of the Christian life. However, there is a lot of denying our flesh that has to take place. The way we’ve been conditioned to treat people, enemies, love, money, and our private life comes from our upbringing, experiences and worldview. However, when we give our life to Christ there should be proof that a true encounter has taken place. When one encounters Jesus you don’t get up the same, you don’t think the same or talk or desire the same things. Our life is now Christ and we should walk in the same way he did. (1 John 2:6)
Biblical Reference: “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1-2, NIV)
What Virtues Characterize a Christian Lifestyle?
A Christian lifestyle is characterized by virtues such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Out of these virtues, obedience and a willing heart submitted to do God’s will in agreement with His ways, perseverance in faith through discipline, trials, and tribulations. All of these are the marks of a Christian.
Biblical Reference: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23, NIV)
How Does Faith Impact the Life of a Christian?
Faith is the cornerstone of the Christian life, providing strength, hope, and assurance in times of trials and uncertainties. What are you doing if you don’t have faith in God? Abraham is the poster child of faith. Who would go to such lengths of obedience, even to the point of death, for someone they didn’t trust? No one would. When you trust someone, you believe what they say. Who does that? Oh, yeah! Abraham did, and it was counted to him as righteousness. (Romans 4: 20-25)
Biblical Reference: “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, NIV)
What Role Does Discipleship Play in Christianity?
Discipleship involves following Jesus Christ closely, learning from His teachings, and growing in spiritual maturity. How does that look? That could mean walking with someone more mature in faith, which ensures accountability. Let’s get serious. We usually can’t see past our noses and think we are doing well or push things aside and avoid the tough stuff in our hearts. From trauma to pride, we can be a mess and wear nice, pretty masks to hide the most accurate state of our hearts. Or, like Peter, think it would never be us (Matthew 26:33-36). Self-assurance is nice, but more often than we’d believe or want to admit, it can be far from the true state of our hearts. However, two are better than one in ensuring authenticity, no excuses, spiritual maturity, and personal growth. Plus, walking with someone who has permission to call us out adds to the element of humility and denies our flesh the opportunity to grow, keeping us further from becoming the likeness of Christ.
Biblical Reference: “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.'” (Matthew 16:24, NIV)
How Does Forgiveness Relate to Christian Identity?
Forgiveness is central to Christian identity, as Christians are called to forgive others as God has forgiven them. It sounds so noble, but depending on the offense, it can be the hardest thing we do. Take it from me, a woman who experienced childhood sexual abuse and molestation at the age of five. Forgiveness is healing for us, but to do it sincerely takes surrender to God, knowing ALL sin is on the cross, and we don’t have to carry someone else’s sin in our lives. Jesus took that pain and beating and nails through his body for sin, which means you don’t have to carry that burden. You can forgive and lay what is difficult to release at the feet of Jesus (1 John 2:2).
Biblical Reference: “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13, NIV)
How Does Love Manifest in the Life of a Christian?
Love is the hallmark of Christian living, expressed through selfless actions, compassion, and care for others. First, let us define love according to Scripture. In the Greek language, there are three: eros (romantic love), philia (brotherly love), and agape (God’s divine love). When Jesus left the commandment for us to love our neighbor, the Greeks used the agapaō verb for this particular commandment. The same one is found (as a noun) in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. God gives us a direct understanding of the actionable ways of love. Love should not mean compromising your convictions, but it shouldn’t lack compassion and sincerity. We see in Ephesians that Paul says to speak the truth in love, which is what Jesus did, and many people didn’t take it well. What am I saying? God is love, and the blueprint is laid out in Scripture. I made a shirt years ago because God had to show me the hard way what His love is, and I’m still learning in full disclosure. It says this: Treat Others the Way God Loves Them.
Biblical Reference: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35, NIV)
Being a Christian is not merely adopting a label or adhering to religious practices; it is a transformative way of life rooted in faith, love, and obedience to Jesus Christ. We have explored the core foundations of Christian identity through biblical references emphasizing the call to follow Christ wholeheartedly and reflect His character in every aspect of life. As we continue to grow in our understanding of what it means to be a Christian, may we strive to live out our faith authentically, impacting the world around us with the love and grace of Christ.
