Scripture:
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
— John 13:35 (ESV)
Today, I want to study deeply what it truly means to be a Christian, because not everyone who calls themselves a Christian is, in fact, a true disciple of Jesus Christ.
This is such an important topic. It is essential to make sure that we are truly walking this journey the right way—that our lives genuinely reflect what we believe. Our faith should not remain only in words, but be made visible through our actions.
I want to first establish this truth: a true Christian imitates Jesus Christ in the way they live. Christianity is not merely a title or a label; it is a life that mirrors Christ.
As a Christian, I am called to imitate Jesus in my daily life—not occasionally, not only when it is convenient, but every single day, one day at a time. For we do not want to be merely hearers of the Word, but doers of it.
What Does It Mean to Be a Christian?
Being a Christian is not what people often think, where they just attend church every week. Many believe if they believe in Jesus Christ they are now a Christian; it goes deeper than that. To be a Christian is to be a follower of Jesus Christ, to embrace Him as Lord and Savior, and to align our lives with His teachings. As Jesus’ true disciples, we are called to reflect the love, grace, and truth of Jesus in all that we do.
Let’s take a look at the definition of this word: The word “Christian” means “little Christ.” It implies that those who bear this name are meant to imitate Christ, to live as He lived, love as He loved, and serve as He served. It’s not a label but a way of life—one that transforms our thoughts, actions, relationships, and worldview.
Important note: So now we know a Christian is a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Who Is Really a Christian?
Jesus taught in Matthew 7:16, “You will know them by their fruits.” A true Christian is someone who has experienced the transforming power of the Holy Spirit and whose life begins to bear the fruit of that transformation. It’s not about perfection but progression—a heart that desires to grow in Christlikeness.
A true Christian demonstrates the following:
- Faith in Jesus Christ – A true Christian believes that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died for our sins, and that through His resurrection we have eternal life.
- Repentance – A willingness to turn from sin and turn toward God, continually seeking His forgiveness and striving for holiness.
- Obedience to God’s Word – Living in accordance with the Scriptures, seeking to honor God in every area of life.
- Love for Others – Love is the most distinguishing mark of a Christian. Jesus commands us to love one another as He loved us (John 13:34).
- Humility – A true Christian humbles themselves before God and others, recognizing their need for grace and offering grace to others.
The Characteristics of a Christian
I have really experienced this personally, as I spend time alone with God, in worship and in His Word intentionally. I continue to grow; I start reflecting His love, compassion, and mercy toward my fellow man.
Read the fruit of the Spirit:
- Love – Not just for those who love us, but even for our enemies (Matthew 5:44).
- Joy – A deep, abiding joy that comes from knowing Christ, not from external circumstances (Philippians 4:4).
- Peace – The peace of God that guards our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7).
- Patience – The ability to endure hardship and difficulty with trust in God (Romans 12:12).
- Kindness – A gentle and compassionate heart that seeks to bless others (Ephesians 4:32).
- Goodness – Living with moral integrity and seeking to do what is right (Galatians 6:9).
- Faithfulness – Remaining loyal to God and His Word, even when it’s difficult (Revelation 2:10).
- Gentleness – A spirit of humility and meekness, not harshness (Ephesians 4:2).
- Self-Control – The ability to say no to temptation and live according to God’s will (Galatians 5:23).
The Christian Code of Conduct
A code of conduct is a set of principles, rules, and standards that guide a person’s or group’s behavior. It explains how someone is expected to act, make decisions, and treat others in everyday situations.
I must add that I love having a code of conduct, for that has served me as a guidance of life to keep my own self in check. Yes, believe me, I myself have to keep myself in check to make sure I am acting the way I am supposed to and not letting my flesh rule or take over.
One of the most important things I’ve learned in this journey as a Christian and a true follower of Jesus is that there is a code of conduct, and it is surely grounded in love—love for God and love for others. Jesus summarized the entire law with these two commandments. I believe this is critical; this is essential; this is one of the most important things I have discovered in my walk with God and in this new life through Jesus.
- “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37)
- “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39)
In practice, this means our conduct should reflect respect, compassion, and integrity in every area of our lives—not just in some areas but in every area. Not just some days but the 365 days of the year. Whether at home, work, school, or in public, we are called to live in a way that honors God. This includes speaking truthfully, forgiving others, seeking justice, helping the needy, and loving our enemies.
I must confess sometimes it can be tough to reflect love to others when we are hurt, in pain, or upset, but we must strive to do so, for it is possible. Let me tell you, the times I have been able to practice this, I am overflowing with joy from my interior to the outside. It is like doing so, even though it takes a humble spirit, is so rewarding with the joy and happiness I feel inside when I am able to practice these things.
And in all honesty, when I don’t—when I give free rein to the madness and do as my flesh desires—afterward I feel terrible. I feel like a failure; I feel so down and so sad because I know I dishonored God. I know I did not represent Him well, and it hurts me because every single day that I wake up, I wake up with the most genuine desire to honor Him in all my doings and ways. One of my secrets in this walk is that I take it one day at a time. Yesterday is the past, and I focus on the present moment. Yesterday I don’t remember what happened, for it has been a brand new day, and I understand His mercies are new every single morning.
Christian Code of Conduct
• Being honest and transparent in all our dealings (Proverbs 12:22).
• Helping others in need, whether they are fellow believers or not (1 John 3:17).
• Showing grace and forgiveness, just as Christ forgave us (Ephesians 4:32).
• Avoiding gossip and speaking badly about others, but speaking words that build others up (Ephesians 4:29).
Our Responsibility as Christians
As a Christian, I am called to live a life from a place of love. Everything that I do must always come from a place of love, always being compassionate and practicing forgiveness and mercy just like God does with me.
As a Christian, I must live out my faith not just with words, but my actions need to be aligned with my words. I am called to live my faith not just privately but in public.
As a Christian, I have a responsibility to share the gospel, to be an ambassador of Christ in this world that needs it.
As a Christian, I am commanded to make disciples. Please understand this is not a suggestion; this is a command—it is a responsibility.
It is my responsibility to speak the good news of Christ Jesus, of salvation, and to be a living witness of His transformative power.
The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20)
As a Christian, I feel a big responsibility for the well-being of others, especially in the body of Christ. Galatians 6:2 tells us to “bear one another’s burdens,” and as members of one family, we are to support, encourage, and lift each other up. Let’s think about this—are we really doing this? Are we really practicing this?
Let this devotional encourage us to really reflect on our walk with Christ up to this point and truly take this seriously and start living a life that honors God. Remember what I said earlier, and I mean it: it is not about perfection; it is about really surrendering to Him and allowing His Spirit to transform us. Sometimes we can resist that transformation by not responding and being sensitive to His voice and guidance.
The Fruits of a Christian Life
As Christians, we must bear fruit. As we remain connected to Christ, like the Bible says, the true vine, we will produce fruit. It is inevitable to stay connected to Christ and not bear fruit. I am telling you with a pure heart, I love this journey. It is not all perfect; we all go through different seasons that sometimes can take the best of us, but remember always that they are just seasons—none will be forever.
One thing I want you to remember every single day you wake up is that it is not with your strength, for we will always fail if we plan to walk this walk with our own strength. It is Him in us; it is with the power of the Holy Spirit that lives in us.
Jesus said, “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples” (John 15:8).
We must practice those fruits in acts of love, kindness, patience, and service, but they are also reflected in our spiritual growth. It is very important for us to continue to grow every single day spiritually, for as we grow in Him, we become more like Christ as we follow Him faithfully, and our lives become a living testimony for the glory of His name.
Conclusion
Please note and understand: being a Christian is not about perfection, but about letting the Spirit of God that lives in us truly transform us from the inside out. We do not want to just have an appearance of being Christian while our hearts are far from Him. It is about surrendering our lives to Jesus and allowing Him to change us from the inside out.
As we walk with Him, something beautiful happens—something that is not by force; it is just Him in us. We will grow in love, mercy, and compassion, and only then do we start to bear fruit, live according to His Word, and fulfill the responsibility He has given us to share His love with the world. May our lives reflect the heart of Christ and bring glory to God. We must have the desire that all we do brings glory to His name. I can honestly say with certainty that my greatest investment in this life has been the time I have intentionally set aside to spend time with God alone. It has serve me so so well. I wouldn’t change it for nothing in this world.
