Scripture reading: James 2:14–26

What Is a Christian?

All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (Rom. 8:14)

 

If you  were  asked  to  define  “fisherman,”  “republican,”  “guitarist,” or “vegetarian,” you would likely find it relatively easy. These terms describe persons who behave in certain ways. A fisherman fishes, a vegetarian doesn’t eat meat, etc. They may not do these activities perfectly, but there is no hesitation in recognizing that the label fits who they are. OK. That makes sense. But what if you were asked to define “Christian”? Would you respond with the same criteria?

Jesus said we would recognize his disciples by their fruit (Matt. 7:16–20), and Paul stated that God’s children would be known by the way they are led by the Spirit (Rom. 8:14). James insisted that faith without works is nonsense (James 2:14–26). But in the contemporary church, we often resort to other means when it comes to definitions. Many would say that a Christian is someone who has “prayed the prayer” or been baptized. Others might say a Christian is someone who is going to heaven when they die. Such definitions tend to make obedience and holy living optional. And the result is that we have churches full of “Christians” who are not Christ-like. We produce followers of Christ who don’t follow Christ . . . and then fail to see the sheer irrationality of what we have created! Dallas Willard stated the matter poignantly:

First of all, we should note that being a disciple, or apprentice, of Jesus is a quite definite and obvious kind of thing. To make a mystery of it is to mis- understand it. There is no good reason why people should ever be in doubt as to whether they themselves are his students or not. And the evidence will always be quite clear as to whether any other individual is his student . . . Now this may seem very startling, even shocking, to many in our religious culture, where there is a long tradition of doubting, or possibly even being unable to tell, whether or not one is a Christian. . . . To be a disciple in any area or relationship is not to be perfect. One can be a very raw and incompetent beginner and still be a disciple . . . A disciple is simply someone who has decided to be with another person in order to become capable of doing what that person does or to become what that person is. (The Divine Conspiracy)

It is not always easy to state the obvious but let me try. Dear friend, if you are not following Jesus Christ, you are not a Christ-follower; you are not a Christian. If you are not walking in faith and obedience, you are an unbeliever in rebellion against God. Relying on some past experience when you said a magic prayer will do you no good if you are not daily doing the walk of faith. Knowing what God’s Word says is not enough. You must put it into practice (James 1:22).

Let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous . . . Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil . . . No one born of God makes a practice of sinning . . . By this it is evident who are the children of God and who are the children of the devil. (I John 3:7–10)

 

It is simply absurd to say you believe, or even want to believe in him,

if you do not do anything he tells you.—George Macdonald

point to ponder • How do you account for the fact that many today claim to be Christians but live like unbelievers?

prayer focus • Pray today that God would reveal any lies that entangle you from being a true follower of his