Somebody asked me the other day what I believe it means to be a Christian.

I was hesitant to answer this question because, in my history, it’s usually been a test to see if I qualify. To see if I meet their standards of what it means to be a Christian.

Am I in, or am I out? It would all hinge on answering correctly.

And while in or out can refer to eternal life in heaven or hell, it could also include acceptance into their life, their social circles, their church.

How would you answer the question?

There are the theological answers, the creeds, the core beliefs of historical Christianity that I could rattle off. But honestly, I’ve rattled those off enough, even to the point where I’m not sure what they mean or if I subscribe to every single thing being recited.

I’m obviously swimming around in murky waters to many. But…I’m still swimming.

Since I’ve recently decided not to offer pat answers to other people and myself, I’m actually able to see more clearly what I believe it means to be a Christian. And what other people think about my answer has less sway over my well-being than ever before.

Ready for my answer? Drum roll please…

Washing each other’s feet.

Laying down your life for each other.

Feeding the hungry.

Bringing healing to the sick.

Going out of your way to hang out with society’s outcasts.

Offering peace to everyone.

Never turning away young children.

Constantly forgiving.

Praying continually.

And it’s all summed up with this: Loving one another.

Can you imagine if all organized denominations suddenly went away, and instead, people started living like Jesus? I doubt this will ever happen. Why? Because it’s so much easier to focus on what we believe than how we live.

Some critics will hear proclamations about simply “living like Jesus” and say that isn’t enough. I get that. It’s not enough if you’re focused on figuring out who’s in and who’s out, literally. Then you have to develop code words and boxes ready to be check-marked to seal the deal for people’s eternal lives. It’s honestly way more complicated.

But just imagine… If more and more people started living like Jesus I believe we’d see a radical change in our society, one that would look less like the rich storing up their riches, and more like every single human being cared for. This very issue is at the core of people’s criticism of capitalism, and the fear many of the wealthy have of losing all their riches, hence they choose to label these principles as Socialism or Marxism, instead of seeing the Christlike-ness in serving others. Ironically, most Evangelical Christians stand opposed to the government facilitation of Christ-inspired outreach and assistance to those who need it the most. That’s a head scratcher, for sure.

I want to be accused of living too much like Jesus, even if means not having the correct (of the day) theological boxes checked. That’s actually how the word originated. The city of Antioch named the disciples Christians, or “little Christs,” because of the message they were sending (Acts 11:26). They walked like Christ, they talked like Christ, they ministered like Christ, in short, they were simply living Christ.

What does it mean to you to be a Christian?

It’s one thing to answer the question…and another thing to live the answer.

I can believe in Jesus and not live like Jesus.

I can worship Jesus and not live like Jesus.

I can say I’m a Christian and not live like Christ.

But when you choose to live like Jesus, you let other people see Jesus, and not just hear about Jesus through your professed beliefs. You bring Jesus to life again and again every time you live like Christ.

Leave a comment