What is a Christian?

There are so many ideas and opinions in today's world as to what makes a person a Christian that it seems appropriate to examine the Bible concept, since this is what matters anyway.  Some would say that a Christian is a member of some "Christian" church.  Others might say that a Christian is one who holds to certain Christian beliefs.  And others might say that he is a good person, kind, considerate, giving, having lots of good qualities.  Perhaps all of this is true; but let's look at the Bible for some guidelines.

Jesus talked a great deal about what He expected His followers to be.  We see much of this teaching in the sermon on the mount, as recorded in Matthew 5-7.  It would be impossible to properly summarize all of these thoughts in a paragraph or two, but let me do so anyway.  He taught that He wanted our heart. our commitment completely, our whole self.  He summarized it in Matthew 7:24, by saying:  "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock, and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on the house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.  But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand; and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on the house; and it fell.  And great was its fall."  The emphasis of Jesus was always placed on obeying.  He wanted followers, disciples, but He wanted them to be obedient. 

Then,  as Jesus was about to leave the earth, He instructed His apostles to carry out His mission:  "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.  He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned."  This shows the way He intended for people to become Christians. And we see this carried out in the book of Acts, which covers the period after Jesus leaves the earth and goes to heaven.

Much of the rest of the Bible is dedicated to showing how a Christian should live.  Notice these words in Hebrews 10:23-25:  "Let us hold fast the confession  of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.  And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another...."  It is not enough to become a Christian, and to be a good person, striving to be like Christ; we need also to be a part of His church, assembling with other Christians to build up, encourage, each other.

Let's do it!  Thanks for reading again.  Feel the love.