What it Means to be a Christian

What does it mean to be a Christian? In some ways, this seems like a simple question that has a simple answer. Christians are those who believe in and follow Jesus Christ. 

 

Christianity is about what we believe. We believe that Jesus was the Son of God. We believe that he walked the earth, fully human and fully divine, healing, teaching and loving. We believe that he died on a cross for the sake of love and that through him, we are loved, forgiven and accepted. We believe that after three days he rose from the dead and walked out of the tomb. Because he was resurrected, we are given the promise of eternal life with God.

 

Being a Christian is also about how we live. Being a Christian is not as much about what we say as it is about how we live in the world. Jesus himself said, “not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). To be a Christian means to be committed to following the way of Christ. It means loving God with all our hearts. It means loving other people with our actions. It means seeking the good of others more than we seek the good of ourselves. It means caring for the weak and vulnerable. It means seeking to do God’s will in all things. It means loving our enemies. It means forgiving the unforgivable. It means seeking God through prayer. It means sharing the good news of love and forgiveness with the world.

 

So, the answer to the question, “What does it mean to be a Christian?” is, in some ways, simple: Christians believe in and follow Jesus Christ. But it is in no way easy. That’s why Christians need each other. We offer support, accountability, love and acceptance along this difficult journey of discipleship.