What is a Christian?

The word “Christian” literally means “little Christ.” Since the word “Christ” means anointed or chosen one, to be a Christian is to be someone who is a little anointed one, a person who follows after the example of the chosen one who chose them. A Christian acknowledges that Jesus is their Savior, the One set apart to redeem them. Jesus claimed this role for himself, quoted in John 14:6, when he bluntly declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

A Jesus-follower is part of the church and goes to the meetings because they have a genuine relationship with Jesus as their Lord, the one to whom they owe allegiance and honor, and because they want to be encouraged in their faith. But just going to church without a relationship with Christ won’t make someone a true Christian—any more than walking in the woods makes you a tree. It’s not just a matter of where one goes, but who one knows. Knowing and being known by Jesus makes you a Christian; following the master who leads you makes you a Christ-follower.

How do I become a Jesus-Follower?

To become a Jesus follower you need to follow, which starts by welcoming a relationship with Jesus Christ, the risen Lord. Jesus died and rose again and is alive to love us, help us and intercede for us. This relationship begins when you come to Jesus and acknowledge that you can’t and shouldn’t make it on your own. We have all missed the mark when it comes to our allegiance to God and even in living up to the standards we have set for ourselves. We humbly come to God, knowing we have sinned and been sinned against. We need to admit who we have become and ask for forgiveness and restoration, because we were meant to live in love with God. Like the prodigal child in Luke 15, we must come to our senses, go home and be our true selves.

We have many things from which to be saved. That’s why Jesus came to be our Savior. Romans 2:1 says, “Therefore you have no excuse, every one of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.” We all have things in us which are worthy of condemnation. The work of Jesus in his life, on the cross, through the resurrection and through his life among us in the Spirit frees us from condemnation. Are you ready to admit your failure, isolation, and brokenness? Jesus is God forgiving you and cleansing you from all your guilt and from everything that clutters your relationship with God. That’s the first step—receiving the love of God in Jesus and being restored in right relationship. Just pray it.

Becoming and being a Christian is not really about being “Catholic” or “Protestant” or “Baptist” or “Brethren In Christ” (with whom Circle of Hope is connected). Joining one church or another is not the issue; it is all about committing to follow Jesus. In fact, it seems quite possible that there are all kinds of people who call themselves “Christians,” both Catholics and Protestants, who may think they are Christians because they go to church and do other good things, but who don’t really know Jesus. That seems to be the message Jesus gives in Matthew 7:21-23. He says, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus goes on to describe that it is not enough to talk the talk, but what is important is our relationship with him and how it shows in how we speak the truth in love and serve his cause. The Bible uses a word for that demonstration of our relationship with God; it is called “faith”—which simply means “active trust,” believing in someone or something enough to act upon that belief. Are you ready to commit your life to following Jesus as his disciple? He’s ready to lead you into new life now and forever. Tell Jesus you want that. Then tell someone else you did it.