by Avery Cloward

Created on: August 16, 2008

What is a Christian?

If I were to go to church every day, would that make me a Christian? A quote that I once heard gives me the answer to that question:

"Just because you are in a garage, that does not make you a car. Just because you are in a church, that does not make you a Christian."

So, cross that one out.

If I were to give to others, would that make me a Christian? If I gave all my earthly possessions and goods to the poor, leaving nothing for myself? No, of course not. If George Lucas gave away his all to the needy that would make him a philanthropist, but that would not make him a Christian.

Another crossed out.

Then, what is a Christian?

The original meaning of Christian went something along the lines of "follower of Christ". A Christian is one who tries to be like Jesus, and tries to do good. Accepting the gift of salvation will give you a free ticket to Heaven, but it will not make you a Christian. That is the first step, but that is not all.

You have to do as Christ did.

"Sure! Like I could be like Jesus! He went around everywhere doing nothing but good! He didn't do one wrong thing. How can I do that? It's impossible. If that is so, no one can be a Christian."

Not true.

Jesus didn't say exactly, "To be a Christian, you must do exactly as I do. Go, and never sin, else you are not a Christian."

He doesn't want us to give up and think we have failed if we make one mistake. He doesn't expect us to do all that he has, do only good and no wrong. He simply expects us to try our best.

Say, you want to be a painter. Would you stop painting just because you could not paint exactly like Michelangelo?

If you wanted to be a writer, would you never touch a pencil again when you found you could not write just as splendidly as William Shakespeare?

If you wanted to be a singer, would you cry and vow to never sing another note when you discovered you did not sing as well as Howard Keel, or Carrie Underwood?

Nonsense!

Just because we aren't the very best Christians; just because we aren't great missionaries like Adoniram Judson or Catherine Booth, we can still do what we can to better our world.

If I believed in God, and tried my best to show others God's love, would that make me a Christian?

The answer: yes!

If I went to Africa to feed the hungry and tend the sick, and preach to them about God and bring them to know his unconditional love and salvation, I would be a Christian. However, even if I never left my hometown to go to Africa, but still did my best to smile and show others that God loves them, no matter what, I would still be a Christian.

Being a Christian does not mean going to church every Sunday. Being a Christian does not even mean going to church at all! Where in the Bible does it say "go to church every Sunday, and you will be a Christian"? The Bible refers to the church as the body of Christians, not a building.

Being a Christian does not mean praying every second of every day. It would be wonderful if you did, but it is not necessary.

Being a Christian is accepting God's love and bringing others to know of it also. Being a Christian is doing your best to do what is right.

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