What is a Christian?

Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” To look at some “Christians” one would think that they believe in someone who said “I am come that they might have DEATH and have it more abundantly.” These people are dead in spirit and they are just biding time until their body is dead and their soul is cast into Hell.

According to the Bible, Christians were first called Christians at Antioch. And not by a church committee or a pastor. They were called that by the unbelievers. They were called that because they lived their life totally by “What would Jesus do?” The word Christian means “little Christ.” It was a derogatory term. “Who do you think you are anyway, Jesus?” the unbelievers would say. They knew what Jesus did. They knew that he taught and did differently from the world.

“Why are you so different?” the world will say. “Because of what Jesus did.” That is the reply of  a Christian, a “little Christ.” “What did Jesus do?” “He died for me and then he rose from the dead.”

The Bible says that we should “confess with our mouth.” According to the Roman Catholics it means to recite the Apostles’ Creed in church along with everyone else. Outside of church you may say “I believe in God.” According to the Bible, so do the devils “and they tremble.”

A Christian can say to unbelieving family, to believing family, to friends, to co-workers and to everyone, “I live because of what Jesus did for me.” A Christian will say that not just because people ask why they are different but because they want others to know.

Jesus went to the man at the pool of Bethesda. “Do you want to be healed?” he asked. The man did not say yes or no. The man gave Jesus an argument. After Jesus explained to him a better way the man got up and walked away healed. He knew that 38 years had been wasted doing things his way. That is repentance. Many so-called Christians today of all denominations continue to let their pride rule and they continue to sit by the pool unhealed.

“I hit him because he hit me.” “I took from her because she took from me.” “Why should I do that?” With that attitude no one will dare call you a “little Christ.” Unfortunately many churches today will call you a Christian particularly if you go to their meetings and give them money.

“Servants obey your masters.” “Children obey your parents.” “Wives obey your husbands.” “Obey all those who have authority over you.” These are commands from the Bible but they are not Christianity. Christianity starts after these things are done.

Teenager, when your parents say “Clean up your room.” Do you argue and talk back? That is not Christianity. Do you go clean up your room? That is not Christianity. Do you clean up your room, ask God to forgive you for letting it get so bad that your parents had to tell you, and resolve to keep it neat?  Do you apologize to your parents for the mess? After you clean your room do you then go to your brother or sister and offer to help them clean up their room? “Say… who do you think you are, Jesus?”

You work at Burger King. Do you smile at customers, wipe down the counters, bring out more cups, help a co-worker wait on a customer? Or do you slouch around with a frown and do as little as possible?

Do you parents say “work for me for one hour” and you argue about it and maybe refuse to do it? Or do you say “how about if I work two hours?” Say..who do you think you are, Jesus?”

He does bad to you. You willingly do good to him. That is Christianity.

Your sister takes your clothes. You say “That sweater really looks good on you. Why don’t you keep it?” That is Christianity.

George Washington Carver was a believer. He had to endure the humiliation that was the condition for Negroes and for the poor. But Carver read Jeremiah 33:3 and could believe for great knowledge and works. He walked 100 miles to get to college. He slept on a shed floor and did all the menial jobs that no one else would do. “Carver, why do you do that?” “Because of what Jesus did for me”

A farmer is standing by the fence and a passer by says “God sure gave you a beautiful farm.” “He did” says the farmer. “But you should have seen it when He had it all to himself.”

One time Martin Luther was working in his garden. Someone came by and said, “What would you do if you knew that Jesus was coming back at 5:00 this afternoon?” “Well,” said Luther, “the first thing I’d do is finish weeding this garden.”

It is one thing to do rituals and call it Christianity. That is why we have so many different churches. In Jesus’ time as a man, there were only two denominations. He explained to the woman at the well that the Father did not distinguish churches. “The Father is looking for those who will worship in spirit and in truth.” Said Jesus.

I can get up and give a lecture on all the things that Zeus, Thor and other “gods” did. But no one will call me their follower. That is because those “gods” have not made a difference in my life.

If I truly believe that Jesus died for me and then his death made a difference to me I am a Christian. If I truly believe that what He did on the cross is important then I can tell others and I can tell others that Jesus did it for them. Like Paul, I will do whatever I have to do and even do it more so as an example to others. That is being a Christian.

 David Sneed