Defining a Christian

We are just out of the blocks in the 2024 election year, and the polling game is in full swing. What groups are going to support which candidates? One such group caught the attention of the media back in 2015—“evangelicals.”  That is in quotes because the term means different things to different people. Many who self-identify as evangelicals don’t adhere to classical biblical doctrine, such as Jesus being the only way to gain salvation, or that the Bible has authority over one’s life. Some are not involved in a church or see it as an important Christian practice. But the media and political campaigns are not often known for their nuance, so anyone who identifies as an “evangelical,” is considered one. More than that, they are considered Christians. So this begs the question, what is a Christian? Like so many things, the trend is to define it for yourself, accommodating your own preferences in your definition.

Here are some I’ve heard over the course of my life:

·      My parents were Christians, so I was raised to be a Christian.

·      I believe in God.

·      I believe in Jesus.

·      I’m a good person.

·      I go to church.

·      I prayed the sinner’s prayer.

·      I was baptized.

These were some of the reasons people considered themselves Christians, but none of them are a definition of the term. So what is the definition of a Christian?  The simple answer is, a follower of Jesus Christ. When Jesus called people to be his disciples, he said: “Follow me.” He didn’t say “believe in me.” That was a given for any rabbi in the Jewish culture. His prospective disciples would believe in him; thus their reason for wanting to be his disciple. Following was much more about doing what the rabbi did. Disciples sought to be like their rabbi. A follower of Jesus seeks the same.

The definition of Christian for many is only about beliefs. If a person believes certain things about Jesus, he/she is a Christian. James reminds us that the demons fit that definition (James 2:19) And he melds the concept of beliefs and actions brilliantly when we writes: “Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds” (James 2:18b). And, “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (2:17).

So, to be a Christian is to believe the words of Jesus and to live like he did. For the Christian, this is the aim of life. It is difficult, primarily because it requires surrendering our will and being obedient to his. In our fallen (but redeemed) state, we are bent to wanting our will, to doing what we want to do. A Christian spends their life fighting against this temptation.

And how do we do this, how do we live truly as Christians? We cultivate an intimate relationship with Jesus. And it is a lifelong journey, not a short side trip. The more deeply we know him, the more we will become like him. Thus, the authentic Christian knows the Lord and is on a journey of becoming more and more like him. It’s that simple.

© Jim Musser 2024 All Scripture references are from the New International Version, 2011.