Good Christian?

Q: What is a true Christian? I mean, what is the definition of a true Christian, or a good Christian? We hear the term used so loosely, but how many people really have a proper understanding of what being a Christian is about?

A: Common dictionaries define a Christian as someone who believes in Jesus as the Messiah. Or they might define a Christian as someone who follows the teachings of Jesus. But the problem identified in the question here is that the definition of a true or good Christian is just to ambiguous. The earliest Christians that history records are found in the New Testament church. They’re written about in the New Testament book of Acts. They were called Christians because their behaviors, actions and speech were like those of Christ Himself. Translated from the original language, the word Christian means “part of Christ.”

So that’s a good place to start to define a Christian. People often say that they believe in God or believe in Jesus, and they think that makes them a Christian. Sadly, even the demons believe in God or believe in Jesus. What Christians do is believe in a certain definition of God that is quite unlike the definition any other religion gives its god. Our god is defined as the triune Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He is three in one. So if you want to be a true Christian, let’s get your definition of God right in the first place.

Now many people will have their definition of God right, but they still won’t be a good Christian. They may be going to church regularly, tithing, serving, etc. But they may still not be a good Christian. Why would that be? Consider that a number of the New Testament authors identified themselves as “slaves” of Jesus Christ. What do slaves do? How do slaves live? For those of you who may not be familiar with slavery, slaves do whatever their master tells them to. Slaves live however their master tells them to. They only do what they have specific permission to do. And the notion of disobedience or failure to obey is never an option for a slave.

Therefore, the true definition of a good Christian is someone who is in slavery to Jesus Christ. They follow Him anywhere. They do only what they have His explicit permission to do. They treat Him as their master, and obediently submit to him daily in aspects of their life. Christians are not their own. They belong to Jesus Christ. They are His chattel, His property. And He can spend them however He might wish.

Changing the Face of Christianity

Q: You've endorsed your friend who runs this non-profit, Changing the Face of Christianity. Yet he's a former atheist and hasn't really been a Christian very long. Does he have seminary training? How do you know he's right about the beliefs he's espousing? How do you know he can really succeed in this endeavor?

A: I have prayed with the man and have become convinced that he's responding to (i.e., obeying) God in this matter. I'm not aware that he has any formal theological training. But I don't believe that's required for someone to be used by God to do a great work. Said differently, I don't believe seminary is Biblical. (Yes, I really did just say that!) I've tested what he's said (i.e., "the beliefs he's espousing") against God's Word and find them to be accurate beliefs.

As far as the mission of Changing the Face of Christianity succeeding, that's a broad category. We haven't for example, defined what success would look like. Even if we do define it, I suspect it may not be achievable in one lifetime. Frankly, the face of Christianity won't change until the face of the Christians change. If Brad and his team can get even one more Christian to step up to the plate and actually live for Christ, I'd consider it a worthwhile effort.