What is a Christian?
The term “Christian” comes from the Greek word “christianos,” which means Christ-man, or an adherent of Jesus Christ. In the Bible, this word was first used as a nickname, a term of reproach, because the believers must have given others a feeling that they were absolute for Christ. The apostle Peter used it later to remind the believers to stand firm for Christ and not be ashamed. Thus, a Christian is a person who is totally full of Christ, occupied by Christ, living for Christ, living out Christ to express Christ, and even living Christ. By this definition, most people who call themselves Christians actually are not. They might have believed and received Christ, yet they are not living as adherents of Christ.
Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian, nor does trying hard to be nice. It’s a matter of the heart. According to Jesus, his followers are people who have a personal relationship with him. Knowing about Jesus simply isn’t enough. As you read the Bible you come face to face with the claims Jesus made about himself. Most importantly, Jesus says he’s the Son of God – with authority over each one of us – and we need to consider how we are going to respond. The world is full of people who haven’t found what they’re looking for. There’s something missing. A restless feeling inside. Jesus teaches that real satisfaction and purpose come when we put him at the centre of our lives. The separation between us and God that was caused by our sinful natures can be ended when we understand the mission of his Son who came to reconcile us through the ultimate penalty – his own innocent life given for us, the guilty. Jesus makes this offer to all of us: ‘I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hea
