by: Russell McLaughlin

"Being a Christian"

A used car salesman once protested, “I’m a Christian, I wouldn’t do anything like that!” Yet a video later revealed him laughing and boasting about cheating a customer. Why adopt a “Christian” front? Perhaps even evildoers recognize the inherent goodness in Christ’s teachings. Many who claim Christianity may ignore Jesus’ commands, yet they still value the moral framework it provides.

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Acts 5 provides a biblical example. Ananias and Sapphira pretended to give all proceeds from a property sale to the Church while secretly keeping some. When Peter confronted them, he said, “You have lied to God,” and both fell dead. God’s severe judgment instilled fear and reinforced His authority and the apostles’ leadership at a critical time. They, like the Cretans, claimed to know God but denied that claim by their actions. (Titus 1:16).

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The term “Christian” was first applied to the disciples in Antioch (Acts 11:25-26). Disciples, or mathētḗs in Greek, are learners and followers of a teacher, committed to living out his teachings. Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples” (John 8:31). Jesus also emphasized love as a defining mark: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35). In John 15:8, Jesus says, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” True Christians are not merely followers in name but in action.

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To follow Christ, disciples must deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and imitate Him (Luke 9:23). Just as birds are at their best in flight and fish in water, we are at our best when living like Jesus. Paul reminds us that God predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). God wants us to be Christ-like Christians.  Let’s not just talk the talk but truly walk the walk!