Friend, you have ever asked yourself, "What is a Christian," or "What makes a person a Christian?" The word Christian is used by many today, but many never fully consider what the Bible teaches about a Christian or what the name implies.

In modern times, the name Christian has been used loosely and has lost its true meaning and value. Anyone who says that they believe in Jesus is called a Christian. A Christian is more than a person who claims Jesus is the Son of God—although this is certainly important to being a Christian—yet there is more to Christians than that. Being a Christian is more than just a warm fuzzy feeling. One can go to church all their life and not be a Christian. Being a "pew warmer" or "pew potato" does not make one a Christian—even if you are there every time the doors are opened. Doing good deeds does not make one a Christian—even though Christians are commanded to do good deeds.

On one's own, one cannot be "good" enough to be a Christian. Saying, "I love Jesus" does not make one a Christian—however, one cannot be a Christian without loving Jesus. Having parents or grandparents who were Christians does not make me a Christian. One cannot ride the coattails of others—we must and will be held accountable for our own lives and our own decisions and indecision. A religious leader cannot "make" a person a Christian. By the world's standards one or more of the above would make one a Christian. A Christian does not live by the world's standards, but by God's.

The name Christian only appears in the Bible three times (Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; and 1 Peter 4:16). However, many scriptures give us a picture of what a Christian looks like. Being a Christian is all about relationship. The name Christian is a descriptive name, with the connotation of belonging to Christ. You cannot spell Christ-ian without "Christ" and one absolutely cannot be a Christian without Christ! Being a Christian is more than just following Christ at a distance. It is about surrendering one's life to Christ. Taking the name Christian and wearing it lets everyone know that Christ is the Master and Lord of your life. All who are Christians have a common bond, that is Christ Himself who died for our sins.

In Acts 11:26, when Barnabas found Saul, later called Paul, "And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch." In this scripture there are two other words that are used to describe what a Christian is: disciple and church. The disciples were called Christians, and the disciples were part of the assembly called the church. A Christian is a disciple, a pupil or someone who is learning from Jesus. Jesus said, "A student (disciple) is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher." (Luke 6:40)

Do you see the relationship of respect, humility, and love a disciple has for his/her Teacher? The more a pupil respects and loves a teacher the closer they will be. The word "church" comes from a word meaning "the called out." The church is made up of souls who have heard the call of Christ and answered it through obedient faith; they have been rescued from the power of darkness and brought into the kingdom of God's dear Son. (Colossians 1:13-14; 1 Peter 2:9).

One cannot be a Christian without being a disciple. One cannot be a Christian without being a part of the church, which is the Lord's body. (Colossians 1:18) The church is made up of people, and the collective group is called the "body of Christ," with Christ as the Head (Authority). As each part of a physical body works together for one purpose and for the good of the whole so also each member of the church works together to do the will of Christ who is the Head or Master.

Only Christ can make you a Christian, Acts 2:47 tells us "the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved." The Lord is the only One who can make you one of His own. Those who the Lord has added to the church have these things in common: Their belief in Jesus Christ has led them to answer His call through repentance of their sins, confession of who He is, being immersed into Christ for the removal of their sins, and to live a new life dedicated to serving Him.

A Christian is someone who has spent time with Christ through studying the Bible, praying, and spending time with other Christians, and continues to spend time with Him, and thus his/her life has been changed and is continually changing to be more like Him. A Christian is not perfect, but rather a forgiven sinner. Because they have been forgiven and have a new Master, their attitude and outlook on life has changed—no longer living to just get by, or living for the weekend, or self.

A Christian is a servant. A Christian must realize that greatness is found and achieved by serving others (Mark 10:43-45). They are not attempting to earn salvation, but understand that by serving others they are serving Christ--following in His footsteps. They want to serve Christ out of their love and gratitude for what Christ has done for them.

Christians should expect some opposition; not everyone will accept Jesus as they have. Christ's path is not always an easy ride. Peter wrote in 1 Peter 4:16, "but if {anyone suffers} as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name." Many today want to claim Christ's name and the benefits of being a Christian, but few are willing to suffer and do the things that He has commanded.

Some benefits of being a Christian are: Having a living hope to be with Jesus and the heavenly Father for eternity (1 Peter 1:3-5); No condemnation to those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1); Christ is our Intercessor pleading our case in heaven (Romans 8:34); The Lord knows those who are His own (2 Timothy 2:19); the Spirit of God lives within the Christian (Romans 8:9); We may know that we have eternal life in Christ (1 John 5:6-13); Has the peace of God that transcends all human understanding in Christ (Philippians 4:6-7); and Christians are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). These are just a few of the benefits found IN Christ.

In Matthew 7:21-24, Jesus warned about those who would claim Him, use His name, do many works in His name—maybe called themselves "Christians," but never took the time to have a personal relationship with Him by doing the will of His Father in heaven. He said that He would declare to them, "I never knew you"—you never were a part of Me. These were religious people, but they did not cultivate a personal relationship with Jesus.

They who rightly wear Christ's name and partake of his nature, and they only, shall finally share in His glory.

Dear friend, do you, today, have a personal relationship with Christ?
If you are a Christian today, are you glorifying God through your life?