What does it mean to be a Christian?

Over the years I have been asked two questions “what is a real Christian?” and “what is the best church to find true Christianity?”

In a few words I will try to define what makes a true Christian, but first it should be asked what is not relevant to being a Christian.

First of all being a Christian is not a case of just claiming it and the statement being true. Hitler claimed to be a Christian. He is one among many. A Christian is not determined by going to a building once a week singing a few songs listening to somebody speak about God for a few minutes. Being a Christian is not about what you eat, drink, or the amount of money you have or give to your local place of worship. It is not about lighting candles, or any other tradition. Amazingly enough it’s not even about reading the Bible, or even prayer. Being a Christian is not about whether you celebrate Christmas or any other “Christian holiday.” This is not an exhaustive list but merely a short list to crush the superficial idea of what a Christian is.

How can I say this with certainty?

The answer is simple: how many prayers and Bible reading did the thief hanging on the cross next to Christ say?

The Bible records none yet as Jesus was dying he had this conversation on the cross Luke 23:41-43 “And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise.”

At this point a person is asking “so what is a Christian when all of manmade rules are omitted?”

The words of Jesus hold the answer.

Matthew 22:36-40: “master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

The best way to fully understand what is said here is to break it down into parts. The first part — verse 38 — in its simplest form, says that a person should love God in his total nature each with equal value. A Christian puts their total trust and faith in God through good times and bad. God is much like a good parent. As a good parent we love our children but we cannot stop every bad thing that happens to them. When they were children they would come in the house crying of a slight injury. Maybe they fell out of a tree they were told not to climb. Just as we love them and comfort them as parents we cannot take the pain of the injury away.

A Christian’s relationship with the Lord is much the same way, even when we are injured he still loves us even if the injury is self-inflected. When we put God in our heart we look to him in times of trouble. The best steel also must be forged at the highest temperature. Have you asked if maybe the lord is trying to make you a better Christian through adversity?

It is interesting that Jesus included the second commandment. I have met many people who claim to be Christians, but they do not follow the second commandment. There are many in all walks of life who claim to be Christians, yet the evidence of a lack of love exists. This is easily identified. How do you feel about the way others drive on the roads, pulling out in front of you, cutting you off in traffic, tailgating, not turning down their high beams, or not using turn signals? Yet you do some of the same things.

In short do you treat others as you would want to be treated? Do you help others even when it does not benefit you? Do you speak to others the way you want to be spoken to? Do you do or not do things that can or does harm others?

We all make mistakes, at some point in our lives we do something to anger others Jesus had an answer for that, as well.

Matthew 6:15: “But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your father forgive your trespasses.”

How many people who think they are saved will be lost because they cannot forgive others for their mistakes?

I ask one final question, reader. Think carefully before answering. When it was announced that Osama bin Laden was dead were you happy? If so, read this article again.

So where can you find true Christianity? In a church that teaches these simple laws.

Mike Blodgett is chaplain for Lighthouse Chapel. Contact him at lighthouse_chapelak@yahoo.com.