Is a Christian a moral person who abides by a set of rules? Is a Christian someone who goes to church on Sundays?
No.
A Christian is a deeply flawed man or woman who lacks every good of his or her own merit. A Christian is a man or woman who has turned away from the living God in heart, mind, or deed. A Christian is a man or woman who has worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator.
Jesus Christ came to seek and save the lost. He came to redeem sinners.
And so what does it truly mean to be a Christian?
To be a Christian is to despair in your own morality. It is the open admission that in yourself you possess no good. You are incapable of obtaining perfection and in need of He who is perfect; you are incapable of obtaining righteousness and in need of He who is righteous.
To be a Christian is to despair in the pursuits of this world. It is the confession that the things of this world cannot satiate and fill the void deep within. It is the realization that you were created for a relationship with your Creator and only His love can satisfy.
To be a Christian is to live a life of love out of His love, and it is the pursuit of the greater joy—namely Jesus Christ Himself. It is the forsaking of self to obtain Him, and it is the reckless abandonment of lesser treasures to obtain the true treasure.
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field” (Matthew 13:44).
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter: 8,9).
“What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8).
