What Is a Christian?
There are as many different answers to that question as there are people to ask it. Webster's Dictionary defines a Christian as "one who professes a belief in the teachings of Jesus." The term is found three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; 26:28; I Pet.4:16). Each time the word means "a follower of Christ." So, what is a follower of Christ? Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists and a multitude of other groups all claim the unique title "Christian." Yet, each one interprets the teachings of Jesus differently. How can so many groups have so many opinions regarding Christianity? Is it possible to simply and clearly define a Christian? The answer is "yes." There is an easy and uncomplicated definition that cuts through the maze of religious teachings. That definition is found in the Bible. It is the Scripture which answers the question: what is a Christian?
The Problem
To understand Christianity we must start where the Bible starts – with creation (Genesis 1-3). Genesis 1:1 begins, “In the beginning God…” What do we know about God? We know He is the Creator. His creative work displays some other characteristics. Creation requires wisdom, power, intelligence, purpose, goodness and mercy. Were these things missing, the universe would be a chaotic mess. There are other characteristics (or attributes) of God revealed in creation that are clearly described in other parts of the Bible. The foundation of all His attributes is holiness. Isaiah 6:3 says, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts.” Holiness simply means He is totally separate from all that is evil. He is perfectly and infinitely (without limits) righteous and good, therefore, all He created was good. On the sixth day He created man. After this final creative act, God declared all His works were “very good” (Ge.1:31). Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden of Eden to “work it and keep it” (Ge.2:15). They were allowed to freely partake of the fruits of their labor. However, there was one tree (the tree of the knowledge of good and evil) from which they could not eat. Even though they had absolute freedom to enjoy the benefits of the entire Garden, they willfully chose to disobey God and indulge from the forbidden tree. Because God is infinitely holy, He had no choice but to administer divine justice on Adam and Eve, casting them out of the Garden and pronouncing a sentence of death upon them. Their condemnation was twofold. First, they were separated from God. No longer would they enjoy the communion once experienced while in the Garden of Eden. Their separation was an eternal separation with no human remedy. Second, they would suffer physical death. While in the Garden they knew no sickness, disease or death. Now, they would feel the pain of human degeneration until their bodies were returned to the ground.
How could God do this?
He had no choice. His nature demanded a “just” response. Adam and Eve were guilty of ignoring His command and spurning His love. When they partook of the “tree of knowledge of good and evil”, they made a conscious decision to live by their own standards. They were taking a stand. They were saying to God, “We will be our own boss. We will not answer to You or anybody else. We will be the master of our fate and the captain of our ship.” Their action was not a small misstep. It was active rebellion against God. They willfully embarked on their journey knowing the consequences. If God ignored their behavior and did nothing, it would be impossible for humankind to trust anything God communicates in His Word (Bible). The very character of God is both revealed and vindicated in His treatment of Adam and Eve.
Adam’s Connection to Us
You might be tempted to ask, “So what? What do Adam and Eve have to do with me?” They are the “first parents” of the human race. Their basic nature is passed down to us. They chose the path of rebellion plunging all their posterity into the same. All humanity is born separated from God, antagonistic toward Him and under the same condemnation as Adam and Eve. The Bible says, “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men - because all sinned”(Rom.5:12). We, like our first parents, cry out to God, “We will be our own boss. We will make our own decisions. We will not answer to a higher authority.” We turn our backs on God worshiping ourselves rather than our Creator. By nature we are self-centered, self-indulgent and haters of God. We may argue with that description, however, human experience confirms it. No parent stands over their infant’s crib and instructs, “Here’s how you throw a tantrum. Here’s how to be selfish. Here’s how not to think of God.” All of these things come naturally. They are traits present at birth. Why? Because we are like our first parents. The Bible describes us as “dead in our trespasses and sins.” Therefore, our divine condemnation is mandatory. We deserve eternal separation and punishment in a place the Scripture calls “The Lake of Fire” (Rev.20:15). What choice does an infinitely holy God have? He is not vengeful. Rather, He is holy, just and fair. Just as orderly societies demand justice when laws are broken, God demands a perfect justice when His commands are violated.
The Solution
Clearly, humankind is hopelessly lost. We have offended our Creator incurring righteous penalties. What can we offer God to remedy our situation? How much morality, money, religion, good works, etc. will make up for our continuously rebellious attitudes toward God? The answer is: “There is no sufficient amount.” We cannot remove our just penalties. Why? Because by nature we don’t want to. We flirt with religion to ease our conscience, but, it is a religion of our choosing. We do not consult God’s Word pleading for direction from Him. So, our plight is hopeless. We cannot deliver ourselves. If there is any deliverance for us, it must come from God.
It is impossible to see God’s solution until we see our hopeless condition. It is our hopelessness that points us to Jesus Christ. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Godhead, left the glories of heaven, became a man, lived a sinless life, died on the Cross for sinners and rose again the third day, conquering death (the just penalty for sin). Jesus, Who was/is fully God and fully man, did for us what we could not do for ourselves. He took our penalty on the Cross, dying in the place of sinners and satisfying the righteous demands of God’s holy law. He paid the price. His death and resurrection accomplished salvation for sinners. Remember, God’s law demanded our death. God Himself died in our place. The law has been satisfied. There is deliverance from our hopeless condition through simple faith in our Lord’s finished work.
What is a Christian?
A Christian is one who comes before God acknowledging his/her sinfulness, recognizing what he/she deserves, confessing God’s holiness and pleading for His grace in opening his/her eyes and heart to the completed work of Jesus Christ on the Cross at Calvary. A Christian is one who prays, “Lord, deliver me because of Your work alone. Grant me repentance (turning from rebellion) and faith (trusting in the Lord) to believe on Christ and Christ alone. Grant me a heart that loves and honors You.” That is a Christian.
What about you?
Have you wrestled with the truth of your condition? Do you see yourself as sinful before an infinitely holy God? Do you understand there is nothing you can do to deliver yourself? If so, listen to the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest… I am the Bread of Life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst… All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and whoever comes to Me I will never cast out.”(Matt.11:28; John 6:35, 37) The Apostle Paul told the Greeks in Athens, “… God commands all people everywhere to repent, because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a Man whom He has appointed; and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead.”(Acts 17:30-31) Will you come to Christ now? Will you obey the command of Scripture to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ?
If you have any questions, contact us. We delight in sharing the gospel message of God’s grace and mercy in the salvation of sinners.
