Key Points
- A Christian is someone who believes in and follows Jesus Christ.
- Becoming a Christian is not about good deeds or rituals; it’s about faith and belief in Jesus’s sacrifice for your sins.
- This belief restores your relationship with God and grants eternal life.
- The Bible defines this as a free gift of grace, not something you can earn.
What is a Christian?
The title of “Christian” is often misunderstood. Some see it as a cultural label, others as a set of religious rules. The truest meaning, however, comes from the Greek word Christianos, which means “follower of Christ.” This makes Jesus Christ the ultimate authority on what a Christian is. He came as a light into the world so that everyone who believes in Him would not remain in darkness (John 12:46).
How to Become a Christian
Jesus laid out the path to becoming a Christian with striking clarity. It’s not about being a good person, as Jesus himself said there are none who are good. It’s also not about attending specific churches or being educated in certain schools. The path is a simple yet profound act of belief.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:16-18).
Did you catch that? Whoever believes in Jesus is saved from judgment and has eternal life with him. This is the foundational truth.
- You must believe that our sinful nature has separated us from God.
- You must believe that Jesus died to pay the debt of your sins and rose from the grave to defeat death itself.
To be clear, there’s nothing you can do to make yourself right with God. No good deeds, no penance, no high morality will suffice. Jesus Christ made things right between you and God through his death and resurrection out of love, for free, with no requirement other than truly believing it in your heart.
The Christian Life
Once you have believed in Christ, a new life begins. The Bible explains that when you believe, you are indwelled with His Spirit, which gives you the ability to resist sin. This is why when you read about morality and rules for living in the Bible, it’s always in reference to those who have already believed in Christ. Without true belief in Jesus, it’s impossible to live the life of a Christ follower. This is the relationship we were created for and the true meaning of life so many people search for.
FAQ
Q: Do I have to go to a specific church to become a Christian? A: No, becoming a Christian is a personal act of belief in Jesus Christ. Church attendance is a way to grow in your faith, but it is not a requirement to become a Christian.
Q: Does being a Christian mean I will be perfect? A: No. Christians are not perfect; they are simply forgiven. The Christian life is a journey of growth and sanctification, not a state of sinless perfection.