What Is a Christian?

What Is a Christian?

I am old now. I’ve been around for a while, and I’ve had plenty of time to watch people and observe things. One question I hear often is this: “What makes a Christian different from anyone else?”

Many people call themselves Christians, but just saying you are one doesn’t make it true. A Christian is a follower of Christ—but what does it really mean to follow Him?

In the Bible, following Jesus meant giving up everything to go with Him. His disciples left their lives behind and walked with Him wherever He went. Peter, Andrew, James, and John were fishermen. When Jesus said, “Follow Me,” they literally dropped their nets and walked away from their livelihood. You can read about that in Matthew 4 or Mark 1.

Following Jesus involved walking with Him. It meant leaving home and going wherever He led. Think of it like this: you can tell people you’re going to Texas, but you won’t get there just because you know the way. You have to actually get in the car and drive.

Likewise, you’re not a Christian just because you know how to be one. You have to walk the walk—to follow Jesus with your hands and feet, not just your thoughts and feelings.

If being a Christian were merely a matter of believing the right things, even Satan would qualify! James 2:19 tells us that even the demons believe—and they tremble because of it.

Being a Christian is more than believing; it’s allowing Jesus to change your heart and make you a new creation, someone who lives every day for Him. It’s something you do, not just something you think.

1 John 2:5–6 (NASB1995)

“Whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.”

So, ask yourself today—am I truly walking with Jesus, or just talking about Him? Following Christ isn’t a label we wear; it’s a life we live.