In our last article, we examine what a Christian is not. We identified three groups of people who are not Christians.

1.  Not those who are not members of the church. Since the church is made up of all the saved (Acts 2:47), if you are not a member of the church, you are not saved. And, since there is no such thing as an unsaved Christian, those who are not members of the church cannot be Christians.

2.  Not all “good” people. While one cannot be a Christian without being good (Acts 10:43-38), not all good people are Christians. Cornelius was a very good man, but, before hearing the gospel from Peter, he was not a Christian (Acts 10:1-6).

3. Not every member of the church. One must walk in the light to be in fellowship with God (1 John 1:7). Since there is no such thing as a Christian not being in fellowship with God, the person not walking in the light is not a Christian.

Now let us consider what a real Christian is.

Those Who Are Christians

1. One must be a Christian in deed. Any genuine Christian, is one who demonstrates his or her Christianity (Matthew 5:14-16; 7:15-20). There are some who want to enjoy the benefits and blessings of being a Christian without living the way a Christian must live. Being a Christian means imitating Christ (Romans 8:29;1 Peter 2:21). It means to be humble, forgiving, obedient to God, etc. If a person does not have the traits and characteristics of Christ, how can it be said that he is a follower of Christ? Christians have the character of Christ by acting like Him.

2. One must be a Christian in word. How we use our tongues will play a factor in determining our eternal destiny. A person who gossips is not a Christian. A person who is a backbiter is not a Christian. A person who is constantly murmuring is not a Christian. A person who curses is not a Christian. A person who regularly speaks unkindly or is rude in speech is not a Christian. James said, “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain” (James 1:26). Yes, you can tell a Christian, not only by what he does, but by the way he talks as well.

3. One must be a Christ in thought. A Christian is one who thinks a certain way. Paul said, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). A true Christian thinks about heavenly things (Matthew 6: 19-20; Colossians 3:12) and refrains from lustful or sinful thinking (Matthew 5:27-28; 1 Peter 1:13-16). He is one who thinks the best of others, especially other brethren (1 Corinthians 13:5-7) and does not lodge negative, devilish thoughts in his mind. He thinks on things that are good. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

Of course, being a Christian begins with obeying the gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16). When the Jews on the day of Pentecost wanted to know what they had to do to be saved, that is, how they could become Christians, Peter told them to repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38). Nothing has changed today. Baptism puts a person into Christ where all spiritual blessings can be found (Ephesians 1:3), including becoming a Christian.

Now we know what it means to be, and not to be, a Christian. Christians are the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13). They are those who live the way God wants them to live. They are the best fathers, mothers, neighbors, employers, employees, etc., because they are Christians in word, thought and deed.