It sounds like a simple question. Some people equate the word Christian with the word America. Others equate the word Christian to good works or a kind attitude. Still others on the fringe of religion think that being a Christian simply means to do no harm and obey the law. There are those who think that obeying the Ten Commandments qualifies someone to call himself a Christian.
There are three considerations that must be made when a person is to be considered a Christian. At some point that person must declare or come to a place in which they recognize Jesus Christ as divine, as the one who died on the cross for each person’s sinful nature and sinful behavior, plus see Jesus as having conquered death by his own means of resurrection. If a person does not have a basic acceptance, declaration of the identity of Christ, that person cannot be a Christian.
Once an individual has seen Christ as the divine Lord and Savior, he must associate himself with Jesus by admitting the need for salvation. In appreciation of his salvation, it is biblical and perfectly logical that that person would declare himself a follower of Jesus. The reason people wear wedding rings is to declare they have an allegiance to their spouse. In the same way the converted person who has the promise of forgiveness and eternal life must display in their attitude and behavior a change that is a newness of life.
There must be a genuine investment of one’s time and money as part of the Christian standing. How odd it is that a person will call himself a Christian and yet not go to church, not read the Bible, and not talk about God because it is politically unacceptable. The person who is a newborn Christian is an entirely different individual than before. That does not mean the new Christian is sinless. It does mean that because of his relationship with Christ he seeks forgiveness whenever forgiveness is merited. On the other hand, a non-Christian sins because he is a sinner. When a Christian sins, it is by choice that requires forgiveness.
Becoming a Christian is what the Bible describes it as becoming a new creation. The change is inside out. It is not outside in. Kindness and good works plus good behavior do not reach into the soul washing away sin and its nature. Openly that person may be a really good person, but the inside is still soiled. Being a Christian requires that the inside is cleaned first so that it influences what is the outside seen by the public.
When a person has a salvation experience with Jesus, is like he has become a pilgrim wandering in the wilderness. It is like he is an alien on a different planet in a different culture. It is such an extreme adjustment that being a Christian is to mimic the very essence of who Christ is. In doing so, such an individual desires to have an increasing rejuvenation of the spirit.
No one ever arrives at the top of the ladder, yet everyone needs to seek the top. This upward journey continues to influence the inside out essence of what that person really is. This upward journey involves an intentional effect of glorifying God and not self. It maintains a burden for those who are not a Christian and for what will happen to them in eternity if they remain without the saving work of Jesus. At some point there is a division between those who really know Jesus and those who declare to the world that they are Christians.
Christian Writer 