christianityondefiningatruechristian
Christianity
On defining a true Christian
On defining a true Christian
Christian can be defined as a person who lives a life Christ like. It can also be defined as a person who follows Christ’s teaching in living. These may sound simple and easy. But, in reality, how do we put these definitions into practice? How do we live like Christ or how do we follow His teachings?
These questions involve two elements, viz., Christ and His teachings. And how or where can we find the two. The answer is in the Bible. Again, it may sound simple and easy. But, in reality, it is not simple or easy to see Christ and His teachings in the Bible. You will have to read the entire Old Testament and cross over to the New before you can find Him. Also, what exactly are His teachings? Are the Books by Paul or the Book Genesis His teachings?
Gracefully, Christ has put them all in simple words for us to follow Him. When confronted with a question as to how a person can be considered to be a true believer, He said, “Take up your yoke and follow me daily.” A true Christian would understand this as living a daily life with Christ in the center.
In fact, the Bible tells us that Christ had answered many similar questions in the Bible. When He was asked of what is the most important of His teachings, He said, “First, love God with all thy heart, soul, strength and mind. Then love thy neighbor as thyself.” This is His summarized teaching. Earlier in Deuteronomy, He said of the same in a more elaborated tones of the Ten Commandments. The 1st set of four commandments instructs us to have only one God or not to have other gods which is the same as to love God with all our heart. The 2nd set of six commandments forbids killing, stealing, bear false witness against our neighbor, desiring neighbor’s wife which is the same as to love thy neighbor as thyself.
We can see clearly that His teachings involve two parts, one is to love Him and the second is to love our friends in this world. Doing either of the two will not and can not be considered as a true Christian. Show all your true love to the whole world will not make you a true Christian. Love God and ignore thy neighbor will not too.
Furthermore, God clearly positions the two commands. It is Christ first and our neighbors. Do not do charities first and tell of Christ. Do not build schools and tell the students Christ. But we come with the love of Christ and the flow of charities. Because we love Him and so we build schools to tell of His love.
A true Christian, as is told by Christ Himself, is a person who loves Him and loves his/her neighbors.