What is a Christian?

by Dick Oldham  

This question was posed to me by a friend, a friend whose own son had asked him this question and a friend whom I doubt is a true Christian himself. He was experiencing life’s difficulties and had recently lost a close friend which made him think about eternity. My immediate response was to say it is someone who is Christlike, who is a follower of Jesus Christ. I need to say more.

It is easy to understand the confusion in the world, when some 80% of Americans in a recent poll claim to be Christians. Of these, less than 40% attend any church regularly and about half of the church goers have views and beliefs on key essentials of the faith that prohibit them from being Christians at all. For example, more than half believe mankind is basically good, and nearly half deny the deity of Christ and the atonement of the cross. They are not Christians.

I did find it significant that the question was not “Who”, or “Which denomination” is truly Christian, but “What” is a Christian. We are surrounded by in name only, or nominal Christians who by beliefs and lifestyles are clearly not. The bible gives us many tests with which we are to examine our faith, and tells us to make our calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10). But to those who do not know the essentials of the faith, the distinctives of a Christian, it causes them to dismiss Christianity completely or ask, “What is a Christian?”

What does the bible say about being a Christian? Lots! Becoming a Christian is about the Holy Spirit revealing to us that there is a treasure hidden in a field, and we are elated to find it, we have to have it, and we go and sell all we have to buy that field to have that treasure. The pearl of great price is another along the same line of thinking. (Matt 13:44-46) It is worth all we have and all we are.

But what is this treasure? What is it that is so valuable in these parables? Is it salvation from hell? Relief of our sin debt? Peace of mind and peace with God? Joy of salvation? Everlasting life? All the above and more? No! A resounding NO!

All of these benefits of Christ are wonderful when they are ours, but we do not get them without the pearl. Jesus Himself is the pearl of great price, the treasure hidden in a field. He is the gift! God gives Himself to us in Christ. If you are not in Christ and He in you, in union with Him, then you do not have the benefits, you have simply acknowledged some facts about God and yourself. Many are deceived by having done certain rituals prescribed for them by a priest or pastor. But the bible says you must have Christ. You will be judged in Adam or in Christ (Rom 5:17). The latter is highly recommended.

Most people do not even realize the biblical concept of union with Christ which is taught throughout the Word of God. Abide in me and I in you, apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:1-4) We are wild olive branches grafted into Him (Rom 11:15-20). We are robed in Christ’s righteous robes – inside his clothing. It should be perfectly clear when we read Paul’s letters as He uses the phrase, “in Christ Jesus” so very often. Everything a Christian is and has, is ours “in Christ” or not at all. Even Paul’s use of “believe in” Christ, is the Greek word transliterated “Eis”, which has a primary meaning of “into” or inside of.

Ephesians 1:3-14 make a special point to show us that all the benefits of Christ listed above are ours in Him, not apart from Him. We do not get the benefits by going through a church ritual, saying the right words, being baptized, and taking communion. The benefits are ours alone in Christ alone.

I find it odd that so many speak of heaven as a wonderful place and people going there who had nothing to do with God or His people in this life. Heaven is a wonderful place, because we will be in the presence of God all day every day, beholding His glory unveiled, worshiping Him and being thankful for delivering us from sin: in this life from its bondage, and in heaven from its presence. If you have no heart for God, then you will have no time for God or His people, the church. If you have no heart for Him, you do not have Him.

How do we get this union? His call goes out to everyone, repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sins. Many acknowledge His existence, agree with His works of atonement, but we are told the righteous will live by faith. True faith has been defined by the church as having three aspects.

First, the data – they must hear and understand they are sinners alienated from God, subject to His Just wrath, and know of Jesus and what He has done for us; both in the cross and dying for our sins, but also in His life of perfect obedience to the Father fulfilling the law of God for us. By faith, these are both imputed to us, His death and His righteousness are ours (Rom 3:21-30). My sins are paid, my righteousness is perfect because it is His righteousness not mine. We are no longer alienated, but reconciled to God. Indeed, sons of God, adopted into His family.

Second, the assent – we assent that these things are true. I know in my heart that I cannot earn any merit that presents me in any favorable light to God. I am a sinner, and I need His grace and mercy.

And Third, I will live by faith in the Son of God Who loved me and gave His life for me. But that Whole verse is key. Galatians 2 says I am crucified with Christ, therefore, I no longer live. The life I now live, I live in Jesus who loved me and gave His life for me. (Gal 2:19-21) Christ in me, I in Christ.

Some people like to use the analogy of a chair, saying faith is sitting in that Chair. You might agree the chair could hold you up, but you have to trust that chair and sit in it. I see so many issues with this analogy. For example, I have nice chairs at home. I sit in them when I am tired, or ready to read or watch tv. Then I get up and go about my business. Jesus is not available to be a place of rest when you need Him – We do rest in Him, but He will have you all of the time, or He does not have you at all.

Also, chairs are very mundane. Cheap. Everyone has them. Even in the forest you can find a log or stump. The chair in this analogy is Jesus and Jesus is not a chair! He is the pearl of great price, a treasure! He is worth and worthy of all you have and are. In fact, He settles for nothing less than all that you are and all that you have. If you are to be in Him, there will be death to you. “When Jesus bids a man to come, he bids him come and die” (Deitrich Bonhoeffer).

We are buried with Him in baptism (Rom 6:1-4), we rise to newness of life. We are new creations when we are born again (2 Cor 5:17). A man must be born again or you cannot see the kingdom of God. Jesus explains to Nicodemus that this rebirth is by the Spirit of God, blowing where He wills to blow, and giving life. (John 3:3-8) Spiritual life where there was none. Turning hearts of stone to hearts of living flesh. Giving us the faith with which we come and believe, and the repentance with which we turn from the world and seek after Him. (Ezk 36:23-27; Phil 1:6, 28-29, Heb 12:2, Acts 11:18) Plead with God to give you this new heart and His Son. He will cast out none who come to Him, but you must come for Him, not to get benefits that are not ours without Him.

There are so many scriptures that say these same things and many good books well written to help you. I would recommend we listen to Jesus on the subject of what it means to be a Christian. Therefore, I highly recommend an excellent book by John MacArthur with Jesus’s words on the subject, The Gospel According to Jesus.

While we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone as written in scripture alone and all for the glory of God alone, Grace that is free cost Jesus His life, it cost Him 33 years of agony living in a sea of sin with us away from His glory in Heaven. It also cost you all that you have and are. It may as well cost you a billion trillion dollars because it cost us everything and your life. All you have, all you are, all you hope for is to be His. Nothing less than everything will do. Come and die, and find newness of life. We are to live by faith, walk and live in Christ and He in you.

Coming to Christ is the first step, does not require us to be worthy of anything but hell, and we bring nothing to the transaction except our sin. When we come, the journey begins and requires dying to self and living for Him.

The question, what is a Christian? Someone who has died to self and lives for Christ by Christ having you and Christ living in you. Anything less is an imposter. 

The youngest son of a Pastor / Missionary, Dick Oldham grew up in Louisiana, Texas, Guyana, and Indiana. Upon graduation from University he accepted a position with General Motors in Engineering, and worked for various automotive companies for over forty years. His expertise led to involvement in several new plant constructions around the world, including Mexico, Korea, and Argentina where he was involved in design, construction, heavy equipment installations, debug and start up, and training of local workers. The opportunity to live for several years in other countries, on other people’s money, was a blessing and an education in humanity, cultures and religions. Dick is retired and living in Ohio with his wife of 43 years. Their family consists of two children and their spouses, and three grandchildren. He operates a small farm with his children and enjoys the outdoors, fishing, camping, and hiking.

Feature Image by Steve Haselden from Pixabay