Now That You’re Saved, The Question Is
“What Is a Christian?”
What Does a Christian Look And Act Like?
I will start where the word originated and work my way to the present. The word Christian started with Roman soldiers. They observed what Jesus was doing before they killed him, and they observed Jesus’ disciples doing the same things that Jesus did; heal the sick, raise the dead and preach the kingdom of God message. The Roman Soldiers said you’re acting just like Christ, and started calling them Christ-tons later modified to Christian. In that day being called a Christian was life threatening, I’m sure the early believers were proud; that they were identified as being Christ-like. Fast forward to 2018, when I learned this years ago that the Romans started calling followers of Jesus “Christians”. I also noticed, today we call ourselves Christians, even if we are not acting or have never acted like Christ. I guess it’s a label anyone can claim or put on someone else. Let me make it clear I am no history major on the Bible, I am pointing out a few details I have noticed. There are self-proclaimed Christians or those giving the illusion that they are Christian by making a thank you comment to God/Jesus or those that talk Christianese and their lifestyle doesn’t match up. I am not saying Christians are perfect because they’re not; learning to walk out this new lifestyle is a process, and we’re going to make mistakes and not always represent well, but there should be some fruit of Jesus’ characteristics in our lives if we’re going to call ourselves Christians.
Who’s telling the story
In today’s Western Culture the word Christian is so loosely used, that it’s confusing to know what a Christian looks or acts like. (Side Point You may have noticed in my writings, I tend to shy away from using the word Christian. I use believer or believer in Jesus, but that’s just me; you use what label you’re comfortable with.) Many of our examples of Christianity are given to us by the world (meaning people who aren’t believers) telling us as believers and the world (non-believers) what a Christian looks like. These examples are shown to us in movies, news, TV shows, facebook, and a host of other platforms. I, as a believer, take issue with what is portrayed as a Christian in our society; many depictions are belittling or buffoonery. I recognize that it is a spirit behind the imagery that is shown to the world, trying to degrade what God is doing. This is one of the reasons why we as believers need to always represent well in public as well as in our private lives. You need to know, once this label of Christian is on you; critics will come out of nowhere to let you know, that’s not how (a Christian) should act or respond. If you don’t know you need to know that presently in Western Culture Christians are being called haters for giving a biblical perspective. The world is watching.
How to see
It’s important to have your understanding from the Bible and not from what others have said. So let me start with what the Bible calls followers of Jesus. These are the words God uses to describe his followers: citizens, ambassadors, disciple, sons and daughters, children, gods, friends and believers. When you understand that as a follower of Jesus, you enter into the kingdom of God; which is why He calls you a citizen and an ambassador of heaven, that’s kingdom language. Also God sees us as His kids hence-forth sons and children.
Philippians 3 (NIV)
20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Ephesians 1 (NIV)
4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he[b]predestined us for adoption to son ship[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will
Psalm 82 (NIV)
“I said, ‘You are “gods”;
you are all sons of the Most High.’
2 Corinthians 5 (NIV)
20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
This is how God sees us as followers. These types of words are used to describe us all through-out the Bible. My point is once you understand the purpose, in this case the kingdom of God and my kids, you can see why He uses the language He uses. Most people don’t know what God is doing in the earth; so don’t you let outsiders define what we are called, or how we should act.
Non-Committal Christianity
I don’t know if you know that non-committal Christianity is a thing, there is a belief in the world that says, “Just identify as a Christian or repeat the sinner’s prayer and you’re in”. Sadly, there are so many believers going through life with this concept. With this false ideal that once you except Jesus that’s all there is, except maybe going to church. Many have no understanding of what it’s really about. This web-site is all about giving you a perspective on what it is to be a believer. When God calls you into the family, He wants to commune with you and draw out your purpose for the kingdom. You have to take the initiative to pray, study and seek God as a priority. Being in the kingdom is so exciting and empowering, once we grasp who and what God is doing. If your commitment level has been low, make a commitment TODAY to make God a priority and start talking to the Holy Spirit and seeking God. If you don’t know what you are to do, find out what God is doing and help him do it, that’s a great place to start.
Ephesians 2 (NIV)
10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Jesus Characteristics
It’s important to know what the characteristics of a believer are so you can judge for yourself.
Colossians 3 (NIV)
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Ephesians 4 (NIV)
4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Ephesians 4 (NIV)
22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 5 (NIV)
5 1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children2 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. 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
My point is your lifestyle should at some point and time bear fruit of who you are.
Luke 6: 43-45 (NIV)
Closing
1 Corinthians 12:12-27 gives the analogy of the church being the body of Christ, and Jesus as the head. It goes on to say we all don’t play the same role, but every part is needed and valued. I don’t know what God has called you too, but God has requirements in the kingdom; one of those requirements is sacrifice. We are all sacrificing giving up our life for a life in the kingdom which can take on different forms. I think of Martin Luther King jr, giving up his life for what God called him to do. In other parts of the world, people are still being killed for being a Christian. I don’t know your reason for being in the kingdom, or if you were told except Jesus and life will be easy; again, I don’t know your story. I can tell you, being a believer is the most fulfilling life any one can live. Once you tap into your God given purpose, there’s a vision and a passion that kicks in and it seems to pull you to the finish line. I suggest you read John 16 1-33, the ending is great and so empowering. One last thing I want to point out, as a believer we make mistakes and it’s important to know that there’s no forgiveness without repentance. True repentance is to change your mind on the matter and stop doing the sin you were doing. It sometimes is a process to change but keep asking the Holy Spirit to assist you.
Luke 17 (NIV)
17 Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. 2 It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. 3 So watch yourselves. “If your brother or sister[a] sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. 4 Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”
2 Corinthians 7 (NIV)
9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
Matthew 3 (NIV)
8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.
Hopefully this gave you a start to understand what a Christian is. As I said early, it’s necessary that we as believers represent well and have an answer ready when called on. Stay hungry and seek God with all your heart.
Seek the word because the word works if you work it.
Randy McKinney