WHAT MAKES A CHRISTIAN?

The story is told of a shipwrecked man who managed to float ashore on an uncharted island far off his planned route. On hearing footsteps in the brush, he was frightened by thoughts of cannibals. As the steps came closer he heard men speaking his own language, swearing and cursing as they came. He ran from the bushes toward them, with a sigh of relief. "Thank God!" he exclaimed. "It's so good to find that you are Christians!"

Men use the word "Christian" very loosely, even in religious circles. This lesson will attempt to show some wrong definitions of a Christian, as well as the proper definition.

Body

I. Some things do not make a Christian.

   A. A moral life does not make a Christian.

        1. Cornelius was a good moral man, but he was not a Christian (Acts 10:1ff).

        2. All men break God's laws and are sinners before Him. No one is good enough to be a Christian.

   B. Church attendance does not make a Christian.

        1. Jeremiah was told to make such an announcement to God's people of his day (Jeremiah 7:1ff).

        2. Being in the company of Christians does not make one a Christian today. Some who sit "in church" will be cast out in the day of judgment (Matthew 7:21-23).

   C. Doctrine and issues do not make a Christian.

        1. Knowledge is not a matter of pride, or sufficient alone (I Corinthians 8:2, 3).

        2. One may have "all knowledge" and still be nothing (I Corinthians 13:2).

        3. The demons hold "right doctrine," but they are far from saved (James 2:19).

   D. Good works do not make a Christian.

        1. Salvation is not of our works (Ephesians 2:8, 9).

        2. We are not saved by works of righteousness which we have done (Titus 3:5, 6).

II. The Christian is one who has faith in Jesus, repentance toward God, and has become a new creation in Christ (Acts 20:21; II Corinthians 5:17-21; Colossians 2:12, 13).

III. Those things mentioned above do not "make" a Christian, but they are to be part of the growing Christian life.

   A. The Christian is to live a moral life appropriate to one who is in Christ (Ephesians 4:20; Colossians 3:1ff).

   B. Church attendance is for the Christian's edification and development (Hebrews 10:24, 25).

   C. The Christian is to grow in the knowledge of God's Word, and in healthy doctrine (Ephesians 4:14, 15; II Peter 3:18).

   D. Good works are to accompany the Christian wherever he goes (Ephesians 2:10; Titus 2, 3).

Conclusion

A man is not a Christian simply because he lives a good moral life, attends worship, understands correct doctrine or does good works. He is a Christian because of faith in Jesus and union with Him. One who is a Christian, however, is to live a good life which befits the gospel, worship God and encourage other saints, grow in knowledge and be zealous for good works.

Back to Chapter 11 Forward to Chapter 13