What Is A Christian According To The Bible?
The Bible has many definitions of what it means to be a Christian. From John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (ESV) to Matthew 22:37-40: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets” (ESV).
These verses are just the tip of the iceberg. In the Bible, we’re told to be kind and gentle, to forgive, and to have faith in Jesus as our savior. We’re urged to have humility, to help others, to be merciful, and to turn from worldly temptations. By living out these values, we can truly become true followers of Jesus Christ.
The New Testament paints a picture of what a Christian should be. The book of 1 Corinthians defines a Christian as someone who follows the teachings of Jesus and his commands. Additionally, Romans 12:2 speaks on transforming our minds and hearts by renewing our thoughts and emotions: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” This verse emphasizes how important it is for a Christian to follow the Word of God and distance oneself from the ideologies of the world.
Another verse found in 2 Corinthians 5:17 shows how being a Christian is rooted in transformation. It reads: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” This verse speaks to the spiritual transformation that is required of a Christian, to move away from a lifestyle of sin and towards one of obedience.
In addition to these verses, the Bible is also full of examples of great men and women who served as perfect examples for us to follow. The Old Testament features characters like Abraham and Esther, and the New Testament features characters like Paul and Mary. These people made mistakes, but in the end, their trust and obedience of the Word of God led them to success and salvation.
Being a Christian is not an easy lifestyle, but it is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling paths someone can take. Christianity offers a faith-filled life, brimming with love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and hope, allowing us to seek and find our purpose in life.
God’s Generosity
When we talk about what is a Christian according to the Bible, it’s also important to consider God’s generosity and how it relates to Christianity. In Psalm 145:9 states, “The Lord is good to all and his mercy is over all that He has made” (NRSV). This verse speaks to God’s desire to show kindness to those who are humble and obedient. We see God’s generosity in other verses as well. For example, in Luke 6:38, Jesus says “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” This verse shows that in giving, we receive exactly what we give.
God’s generosity is also highlighted in the parables Jesus taught. The Parable of the Prodigal Son speaks to a father’s unconditional love for his son. Even when the son confesses his sins the father doesn’t hesitate to forgive and show him unconditional love. Theparable of the Sower teaches us that whatever we put our hands to will be blessed by God if we sow it in faith and obedience. This displays God’s generous nature and willingness to bless those who trust Him.
Lastly, the parable of the Workers in the Vineyard speaks to how God’s generosity is not limited by the hours we put in or how historically faithful we are. In this parable, the workers receive compensation regardless of when they’re hired or how long they work. This is a display of God’s endless goodness, love and generosity towards his people.
The Power of Prayer
When it comes to the power of being a Christian, prayer is essential. Luke 11:1-4 speaks about the value of prayer: “And he said to them, ‘When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.’”
Prayer has the power to move mountains and bring answers to our greatest challenges. Jesus set the perfect example of how to pray with His own prayers before His Heavenly Father. Additionally, in James 5:16, we’re told to “pray for one another, that you may be healed.” By praying for each other we are not only expressing our faith, but we are also asking God for His divine guidance, power and love.
Additionally, prayer helps us to stay humble and centered. When we humble ourselves before God and seek His guidance, His spirit will provide us with the answers we are seeking. Additionally, prayer allows us to give thanks and be mindful of who God is.
Walking in Obedience
Another important factor of being a Christian according to the Bible is to live a life of obedience. In Deuteronomy 11:1, it states: “You shall therefore love the Lord your God and keep his charge, his statutes, his rules, and his commandments always” (ESV). This verse speaks to the importance of following God’s commandments and living according to His standards. Additionally, in John 14:21 we’re told: “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” This illustrates the importance of obedience and how it relates to a relationship with God.
Apart from obeying God’s commands, we must also obey the laws of earthly authorities. In Romans 13:1-7, we’re told to respect and honor civil authorities and “Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed” (ESV).
All in all, obeying God’s laws helps us to be a light to the world and exemplify the type of behavior God would want us to follow.
Speaking The Truth In Love
The Bible speaks to the importance of speaking the truth in love. Ephesians 4:15-16 states: “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love” (ESV).
By speaking the truth in love, we can build up the body of Christ and move forward to carry out the great commission. Consequently, being a model of truth and love is essential for being a Christian. We should never compromise our beliefs, yet we should always respond in kindness and understanding to people who believe differently.
Upholding Scripture
When considering what is a Christian according to the Bible, we must also focus on upholding Scripture. In Timothy 3:16, it states: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives” (NLT). The Bible is the authoritative source of truth, and as Christians, we must be diligent to study, meditate on, and share it.
Not only should we read the Bible, but we must also take it to heart and live in alignment with its commands. In Joshua 1:8-9, it states: “Study this Book of Instruction [the Bible] continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do” (NLT). It’s important to be mindful of what the Bible says and strive to apply it to our lives.
Living By Faith
Living by faith ties into every other aspect of being a Christian according to the Bible. Hebrews 11:1 states: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (ESV). Faith is a characteristic that is essential to being a Christian. When we live by faith, it means that we rely on God’s promise and power and acknowledge that through His strength, we can do all things.
In 1 Corinthians 2:5, it states: “so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (ESV). Here, we’re being reminded not to trust in ourselves and our understanding but to trust in God’s power and will. We should strive to live by faith and rely on God’s promises and plans.
Obedience Out Of Love
Lastly, when asking what is a Christian according to the Bible, it’s essential to consider obedience out of love. Deuteronomy 10:12-13 reads: “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? Only to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, to keep the Lord’s commandments and His statutes which I command you today” (NKJV).
Here we’re being told to obey and serve the Lord out of a love for Him. The Bible also speaks to the importance of loving others. In Mark 12:30-31, it states: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second greatest is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these” (ESV). These verses illustrate the importance of loving God and others out of obedience, which are essential qualities of a Christian.
By living out these values, we can become true followers of Jesus Christ and foster a closer, more intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father.
