What does it mean to be a Christian?
It’s more than identifying with a particular religion or a specific system of values. To be a Christian requires that you fully embrace what the Bible teaches about God, man, and salvation. Notedly…
God is our Creator and He is Sovereign - The Bible says we were created by a personal God to love, serve, and enjoy endless fellowship with Him. Scripture teaches that Jesus created everything (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16). Therefore, He is owner and ruler over everything (Psalm 103:19). That also means that God has authority over our lives and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship.
God Is Holy - He is absolute, perfect, and holy (Isaiah 6:3). This means that God cannot commit or approve of evil. And God requires that we follow Him in holiness as well. “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)
All of mankind is sinful - There is no man who does not sin (1 Kings 8:46). That doesn't mean we're incapable of performing acts of human kindness. But we're utterly incapable of understanding, loving, or pleasing God on our own (Romans 3:10-12).
There is a penalty for the sin - God's holiness and justice demand that all sin be punished by death (Ezekiel 18:4). That's why simply changing our patterns of behavior can't solve our sin problem or eliminate its consequences.
Jesus Christ – While man is utterly helpless to save himself, God the Father sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to save sinners from the punishment that all deserve. Jesus bore the wrath of God against sin in His death on the cross. He is the Lamb of God who became man’s substitute on the cross. Jesus rose from the dead and displayed his power over sin and death. He then ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, where He reigns and intercedes for Christians today. Man is saved by placing his faith in Jesus Christ alone. And by faith, man receives the grace of God in Christ and the gift of eternal life with Him.
The Character of Saving Faith - True faith is always accompanied by repentance from sin. Repentance is agreeing with God that you are sinful, confessing your sins to Him, making a conscious choice to turn from sin (Luke 13:3, 5; 1 Thessalonians 1:9), pursuing Christ (Matthew 11: 28-30; John 17:3), and obeying Him (1 John 2:3). It isn't enough to believe certain facts about Christ. Even Satan and his demons believe in the God (James 2:19), but they don't love and obey Him. True saving faith always responds in obedience (Ephesians 2:10).