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(Matthew 16:24) "Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
Well, we've come to the end of another series, and before I begin a new one, I’d like to spend a few minutes defining just what a Christian is.
But first—who gets to define what a Christian is? Well, for me—and for anyone who reads the Bible—it has to be Jesus. But that answer needs to be real in our lives, not just a tick in a theological box.
First, Jesus doesn’t describe Christianity as a list of religious dos and don’ts. He invites people into a relationship with Him where all our hopes (and fears) will be evaluated for what they actually are. When you invite Him to live in your heart, you will trust Him, follow Him, and carry your cross with Him (Matthew 16:24; John 8:12).
All in all, being a Christian is first and foremost about a real, daily dependence on him—a heart turned toward the One who met us where we are! The New Testament helps us see how that relationship actually works. Love, obedience, and changed living aren’t trophies we earn; they’re the natural fruit of walking with Jesus (1 John 2:3–6; Romans 8:). When our lives begin to reflect HIS kindness, patience, and truth, then THAT'S a sign the Holy Spirit is at work within us.
And the Holy Spirit—the living presence of God—gives the quiet assurance that we belong to him (Romans 8:16). It’s not about pretending to have it all together. It’s about honest faith that grows (stumbles, repents), but keeps turning back to Jesus.
So here’s my simple, heart-level definition: a Christian is someone who trusts Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Someone who prefers to follow him daily rather than live their lives the way they want, and someone who allows the Holy Spirit to shape that life into what God created it to be—something beautiful. That definition calls us to invite others gently, to encourage the struggling, and to leave ultimate judgment to Christ alone. In the end, being a Christian is less a label and more a living relationship—one that changes us from the inside out.
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Let’s pray, “Heavenly Father, draw me to Yourself by Your Spirit. Open my eyes to Your love, reveal Your truth to my heart, and remove every barrier that keeps me from trusting You. Help me to see my need for Your forgiveness, to believe that You died and rose for me, and to confess You as Lord. Give me the courage to turn from sin and seek new life in You. Surround me with patient believers who will speak Your Word and show Your love. Do this, Father, for Your Glory and all our good." Amen!
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