03.08.06
What does it mean, “To be a christian”?
Being a third generation preacher/missionary I’ve been “in church” since the Sunday after I was born. Every time the church doors squeaked open - we were there. To many folks’ way of thinking, I had a great head start on my christian life. And to many, that’s the way it is. Regular church attendance and toeing the denominational line is what “being a christian” means to many folks. But is that it?
From a lifetime of experience growing up “in church” I dare say “No”. No, that’s not what a christian makes. For one thing, God doesn’t have grandkids. He has an Only Begotten Son, and all the rest of us are adopted children. No grand kids. None of us are going to “ride into heaven on our parent’s coat tails”. Each and every person MUST seek out God for themselves. They MUST ask for forgiveness of their own sins. They must humble THEMSELVES before the Lord and obey Him.
Now, playing church is easy. Get a bunch of folks together every week to sing and listen to someone expound on some topic or other and “voilá” - there you’ve got it - “CHURCH!” But what does “Church” really mean? If we look into God’s word we’ll see references to “living stones”, to “sheep”, to “body parts” and various other strange references that sure don’t seem much like what we’ve learned about church from our forefathers.
Due to our misconceptions, it’s easy for us to make up a negative religion.  The idea being “I’m a christian because of what I DON’T do.” As my dad would quote way back when, “I don’t smoke, I don’t chew and I don’t go with girls that do.” That, my friend, is what to many folk think it means to be a christian. So we feel smug. We don’t do this, we don’t do that and some folks are so proud of not doing anything that they’re eager to condemn anyone who DOES do something - no matter if it’s something not only allowed but maybe even commanded in the Bible.  But what about a POSITIVE outlook on our relationship with Jesus the Christ? What about what we DO do?
Jesus said “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another - even as I have loved you shall you love one another.” And also, “No greater love has anyone than this, that one lays down one’s life for their friends.” Interesting how the New Testament is full of positive aspects of the christian life. One aspect has fallen into disrepute due to the “Faith Alone” movement. And that is the issue of “Good Works”. Granted, we are not saved because we do good works. The true christian’s good works are a natural outgrowth of his faith and evidence of his salvation. It’s to bad so many folks talk against works, especially since that’s why we are “created in Christ Jesus” - to do good works. At least that’s what the Apostle Paul taught in this passage. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
So, doesn’t “being a christian” mean more than NOT doing things? Of course it does! Jesus came as an example to us! And He didn’t sit around doing nothing. He spent His life in service to others. Especially the last three years prior to His crucifixion.
I think Jesus put it best when He said ” And he that does not take his cross and follow after Me, is not worthy of Me.” and “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Sure, we’d rather NOT do something than take up a rough, heavy cross and follow Jesus, but that’s one way He summed it up for us. Oh, and then there’s that inconvenient little “By this will all men know you are My disciples - if you have love one for another.” Sure hurts, doesn’t it? But again the Lord said “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” There’s no sitting around feeling comfortable when one is a REAL Christian. The Master calls, those who are His will follow.