What is a Christian? This is a question I’ve been trying to answer for what seems to be a long time. Is a Christian someone who will admit Jesus died for our sins? Is a Christian someone who goes to church every Sunday? Is a Christian someone who reads the Bible and prays everyday? Is a Christian something else? Is a Christian a combination of all those things? Is there more to being a Christian than just religious devotion? Jesus said that the world will know us by our love for one another, but I’ve seen non-Christians love one another well too. I’ve seen non-Christians live in ways that Christians should, but they don’t have the faith that God wants. So I ask again, what is a Christian?
It’d be easy for me to tell you that a Christian is someone who does all the things I listed above. They go to church, they read their Bible and pray everyday. They believe in Jesus. But I don’t know that being a Christian is strictly those things, and here’s why. Jesus spent 3 years in ministry, and he didn’t go around simply telling people to believe in Him. Yes, faith was a HUGE deal in following him, but there was more than that. If you read his parables, you will see that lifestyle, and not just the books we read or the prayers we pray, is just as important. James makes the argument that faith without works is dead. Paul in Romans condemns the works of the law, but in Philippians 2, he tells us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. You see, Christianity isn’t just something to believe in or mentally agree with. We must live accordingly.
Jesus served people a lot. He was healing and teaching and feeding people over and over in the gospels. He even tells his disciples that they will do greater things than he was doing, which I’m sure got the disciples guessing as to what he meant. But just as Jesus served and put others first, he called us to do the same thing. He set the extraordinary example of washing the disciples feet in John 13, showing them that they were not above doing anything for anyone else. I wonder how self-sacrificing we are? I know I have a long way to go in that department, and my prayer is that I keep getting better. I hope you are seeking similar help from God.
I don’t think I have to tell you that changing and improving is a hard task, no matter what you are working towards. But serving others and putting others first is so instrumental in living for God. It’s an act worth working for. But it’ll take a lot of mental fortitude and discipline. Becoming more like Jesus in any respect isn’t easy. It means saying yes when we feel like saying no. It means opening our eyes and hearts to the people in society that are usually dismissed. It sometimes means being radical in our lives to do what the average person won’t do.
I realized a few years ago that while I may teach and encourage students to serve and be like Jesus, I had given them zero opportunities through the youth group to do so. I knew that had to change. I mean, how can I teach that and then not back it up? So we started going to Columbus a few times a year to pack meals at Lifeline. It’s not much, but it’s something, and I’m happy to say that the kids absolutely love doing it. It’s something they look forward to every time it comes up. It’s a simple way to show the love of Christ to people around the world.
In the coming years, I hope to introduce students to mission trips, international or local, in order to show them other ways we can be Jesus’ hands and feet to people in need, and that such people in need are oftentimes in our own backyards. Serving can’t simply be something I teach. It needs to be part of the youth ministry. Likewise, serving should be a bigger part of our own lives, as it was Jesus who gave us the example.
This world is hurting right now. The war in Ukraine. Inflation in the supermarket. Depression and anxiety are on the rise everywhere. Not to mention all the people in our own lives who need help as well. God has given us the ability to help those in need and those that are hurting. God has equipped us to make a difference in this world. It’s simply up to us to listen to His calling and be obedient.
So the next time you have an opportunity to serve someone, take it. You never know what it could mean for that person on that day. And you never know where that could lead. Jesus sent his disciples out in Luke 9 to heal and drive out demons. I have to wonder if the people were expecting the disciples to do what they had seen Jesus do, or were they skeptical? And how did their day, and even their life, change when the disciples were obedient to Jesus’ command? While we may not be healing or casting out demons, one act of kindness is enough to change someone's day, and, potentially, their life. There is no telling what God can do with a simple act of kindness, motivated by our love for God and others.
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ -Matthew 25:37-40 (NIV)
