WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN?

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When we say we are Christians, what do we mean? In our pluralistic society, Christianity is often viewed as just one more philosophy.

Christianity is not a philosophical construct. In spiritual infancy, becoming a Christian is a philosophical redirection of one’s life. The behaviors expected by the redirection are seen as being Christian. But, Christianity should not remain only a philosophical template of one who purposes to live for Him.

The philosophies of men, the “systems of principles for the conduct of life” (Webster), negate the leading of Christ, and the indwelling Holy Spirit. Christianity is constrained by being reduced to a set of ethical standards and moral constructs which we follow as law.

Because Jesus came not only to save us, but also that we may have life and have it more abundantly, many people equate the gospel with being a philosophical means of self-fulfillment and gain. In the assurance of abundance, they easily develop a “what’s in it for me” form of Christianity. When Christ becomes solely a self-centered means of abundance - a health, wealth and prosperity gospel - Christianity is debased to philosophy; no higher than the wisdom of men and void of the Spirit.

Defining Christianity as more than a philosophy is not a semantic ploy. Christianity is fundamentally a very different premise. Philosophy, born in the finite minds of men, is for lifting up the purposes of men. The call of Christianity, born before time from the infinite I AM, is for lifting up God. Philosophies seek to uphold the will of man. As Christians, we seek to subjugate our wills to His will. We trust the promise that He will lift us up. Christ does the lifting, not us.

Why does the distinction matter? Lifting His call higher than the call of human wisdom reminds us His ways are much higher than mans’. Therefore, Christianity is not a philosophy of self-will for our glory, but is full submission to the Father’s will for His glory. And, real Christianity is submitting to the Word, all of the Word, even the parts we wish weren’t there – just as Jesus did. Remember, at the very crux of the gospel, becoming the Perfect Sacrifice for our sins, Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me” (Matthew 26:39). But, then He submitted, even unto death.

Perhaps, we can concur on this definition of being a Christian. It is our submission to Christ just as Christ submitted to the will of His Father. It seems every other picture of Christianity fits within this frame. The definition is simplistic, but it parallels Christ’s words. “For I have come down from Heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38).

Christ did not live by the myriad philosophies of culture, or by the conflicting perceptions of His followers. He sought to do only His Father’s will. Thus, by following Christ’s example we can answer the question, “What is a Christian?”
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