The world’s population is somewhat over seven billion people. Rough one-third of us call ourselves “christian.” OK, so what?
You’re in a conversation with someone you recently met and about whom you know very little. The forbidden topic of religion comes up and out of the blue, this person asks: “What are you?”
Quickly now, how do you answer that question? Do you say “I’m Christian.” What’s that mean? That’s a pretty general and very unclear response. Let’s dive a little deeper. Let’s look at some common answers given when people are asked about their “christianity.” Have you given some of these responses yourself? Have you heard others define or describe their “christianity” this way? What would these responses mean to “non-christians?”
“I’m… ” Catholic, Mormon, Presbyterian, Methodist, Evangelical… fill in your answer.
“I believe in God.”
“I love everyone.”
“I believe in Jesus Christ.”
“I’m a good person.”
“I attend church and/or study the Bible.”
“I tithe.”
“I’m saved.”
“I’m a child of God.”
“I serve others and am charitable.”
“I follow the rules/am obedient..”
“I’m a follower/disciple of Jesus.”
We’re all heard these answers and others in some form or another. We responded with some of them in some form or another. To the christian, each of these answers has deep meaning. To the non-christian the answers may seem unrealistic or even bizarre. There is no simple, easy answer.
“You’re Christian. So what?”
Just what does being christian mean to you? How does it shape your life? How does it impact how others view you?
Something to ponder…
Shalom, Art 
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Reblogged this on …all for God's Glory.
We must walk the walk AND talk the talk. If we walk in His footsteps very faithfully, I have found that we do not require quite as much talk.
I would think that ones belief in the Truth and application of the Word of God covers things most sufficiently. It encompasses all of the above.
Thanks, Milt. It pretty much does.
Depending on the situation, context my response is: “I’m a Christian, a believer in Jesus Christ and a follower (or disciple) of His teachings and commandments.”
Shalom, Art
Great points you make here. For a non believer we would need to have a conversation of some kind for them to understand just what we mean. To me anyway, replying with what denomination we are does not make much sense. Our belief in Jesus and what He has done for us is what matters.
Great post, thanks.
I quite agree with you about denominations. But that is among the most common answers. Another question:
Does being a Christian mean believing in Jesus and appreciating what He has done for us. Or does being a Christian mean what do we do for Him?
Shalom, Art
Tough question, I could write post about this.
Here is my best answer. See what you think.
I’m going to say yes to both of your points in this question. I believe at the heart of being a Christian should be believing in Christ…obviously or we would not be Christians. More so though that we appreciate what He has done for us. It is through recognition of what Jesus did for us that we begin to appreciate Him more. As we appreciate all that Jesus has done for us, we ourselves begin to change, because of our appreciation for what He has done.
As to the second point, as we come to an understanding of how precious the things Jesus did for us are, we begin to change. Part of this change plays out in what we do for Jesus. We begin to minister to others in many different ways, we change our thinking, we help in church etc. All of this flows from our encounter with the One who died for us, the risen Christ who lives for us even now.
So yes…we need to believe, appreciate, and do…can’t have one without the other in order to be a Christian. Works do not save, but they do flow “from” being saved, they are our expression of gratitude to the One who saved us.
Thoughts?
We’re on the same page. It is because of and through our belief and appreciation that we do “good works.” That is central to being born again and to grace.
Jesus said “If you love me, you will obey my commands. Obedience in action is central to being a disciple. All of His commandments are captured in two: The Great Commandment to love and the Great Commission to spread the Good News. Neither of these can be passive. Yet how many “christians” are extremely passive in their faith?
Thanks for the added response.
Shalom, Art