Most everybody has an opinion on who is and who is not a Christian. Christianity is even tossed about in political circles, as in “we are a Christian nation,” We make up our own definition of “Christian.” It may or may not have anything to do with what God’s definition of what it means to be a Christian.
Christians are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. They realize that they are sinful and that they are in need of a Savior a Messiah. Also, they have confessed those sins to God and are repentant (they desire to turn to a new way). They declare Jesus to be the Son of God. They have invited Jesus into their hearts and have accepted Jesus by faith as their Lord and Savior.
What isn’t necessary to be a Christian
Let’s mention what is not necessary to be a Christian. You don’t have to be a member of a church, or even go to church. You don’t have to pay money. It is not necessary to earn your right standing with God. You don’t have to be a member of a political party. Your social standing doesn’t matter, nor does your education matter. Your bank account, or lack of bank account doesn’t mean anything.
It is really quite simple to be Christian
It’s really very simple. Some may try to create a complicated set of rules and regulations, or say that a person has to meet certain standards of behavior, or demonstrate in some way that they are worthy of God’s love. It’s just not that way at all.
A Christian is just a person who believes in Jesus, that He was the Son of God, that he died on the cross to cover our sins and that He rose again. Even if they have never read the Bible or gone to church, they can have a personal relationship with God, through Jesus Christ.
Moses shows us how simple it is
If you want another look at this, just go to the Old Testament and the book of Exodus. The Israelites were roaming the desert and many were bitten by poisonous snakes.
God told Moses to take some brass and form a snake, place it atop a pole and tell the people that whomever looked at this snake would not be harmed by a snake bite. God did not offer proof, just what Moses was told to do.
Those who accepted God’s promise, by faith, followed the instructions. Those who choose not to believe, turned away. The ones who exercised faith survived. Those without faith died. All they had to do was accept the solution by faith and look at the snake on the pole. Nothing more.
Jesus died for our sins
Christians accept, by faith, that Jesus died for our sins. They accept by faith that He rose from the dead. They accept by faith that they need to allow Jesus to come into their heart and be the Lord of their life, they need to follow Him. Those are the basics.
The Bible offers a rich description of the history of man’s relationship with God. God reveals His nature and character through the Word. Therefore, he delights in Christians gathering with other Christians to worship and grow. Church is a good thing. Meeting with other Christians is a good thing. But the most important thing, the essential, is to have faith.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
It really is that simple. That’s what a Christian is.