What is a real Christian?

In the 2001 national census in England and Wales 37.3 million people claimed to be Christians. What we see on the street does not accord with what people claim on paper. The Lord Jesus made it quite plain that not all who claim to be Christians are the real thing! (Matthew chapter 7:21-23)  Why do you need to ask the question? Because the answer is your eternal destiny depends on you knowing you are a real Christian?

Where can we find the answer to who is a real Christian? The only place is in the Bible (John 20:31). The confusion comes about when people think that a Christian is someone who either lives in a Christian country, or else it is someone who has been through a religious ceremony, usually as a baby.

A real Christian is a disciple of Jesus Christ, someone who belongs to Him and follows Him. It is someone who has been wonderfully and radically changed. That is why Jesus used the remarkable phrase ‘being born again’. There are 3 elements to the change to takes place:

THE PAST HAS CHANGED                                                                                                                                                      

There has been a realisation that all was not right in the person’s heart and change was needed. No one goes to the doctor’s unless they realise they are ill. Jesus said of Himself, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke chapter 5:31,32). It can courage and humility to turn to Jesus Christ and in doing so accepting that you cannot put things right yourself.

THE PRESENT HAS CHANGED                                                                                                       

A Christian is not what they once were. The Bible speaks about being saved or rescued by Jesus Christ from the burden and consequences of sin. Jesus was willing to accomplish that rescue Mission and He did so by suffering and dying on the cross. Why was He willing to do it? “But God who is rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us” (Ephesians 2:4). The individual knows that the guilt of sin is removed and God’s peace has entered their heart.

THE FUTURE HAS CHANGED

The future in this life is different. Jesus is at the centre and He will lead and guide, help and provide in everything. The Christian knows God’s tremendous promise, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

The future in the next life is also different. The Lord Jesus Christ declared, “In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it where not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). The Christian has the wonderful assurance that there is a home in heaven waiting for them.                                                      

So are you a real Christian?

Jim Henry