What Does It Mean to Be a Christian?
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In a world where many people identify as Christians, an important question remains: Are we truly disciples of Jesus Christ, or have we settled for religion?
The difference is significant.
Religion often focuses on external practices, traditions, and appearances. A disciple, however, is someone whose life has been transformed by a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and who is committed to following Him wholeheartedly.
Jesus never called people merely to attend services, adopt religious habits, or identify with a belief system. He called them to follow Him.
Religion Focuses on Appearance
One of the greatest dangers facing the modern church is confusing religious activity with spiritual transformation.
It is possible to know Christian terminology, attend church regularly, participate in ministry, and still never fully surrender your life to Christ.
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly challenged those who appeared religious on the outside but whose hearts were far from God. Their faith was based on outward conformity rather than inward transformation.
Religion asks:
- What rules should I follow?
- How can I appear spiritual?
- What do others think about me?
Discipleship asks a different question: How can I become more like Jesus?
What Does It Mean to Be a Christian?
Biblical discipleship is not a one-time decision. It is a lifelong journey of surrender, obedience, and growth.
A disciple studies God’s Word, not simply to gain information, but to be transformed by it.
A disciple develops a prayer life because they desire fellowship with God, not merely because it is a religious obligation.
A disciple seeks to obey Christ even when obedience is difficult.
Following Jesus requires intentionality. It requires denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and choosing God’s ways above our own desires.
True discipleship is costly, but it is also deeply rewarding because it leads us into the abundant life Christ promised.
Discipleship Changes How We Live
Our culture increasingly encourages people to create their own truth and define morality according to personal preference.
Jesus calls His followers to something very different.
A disciple recognizes that God’s Word is the ultimate authority for life, faith, and practice. Rather than allowing culture to shape their beliefs, they allow Scripture to shape their thinking.
This means a disciple evaluates every area of life through a biblical lens:
- Relationships
- Family
- Finances
- Career
- Personal conduct
- Values and priorities
The goal is not simply to know about Jesus but to become more like Him.
The Evidence of Authentic Faith
How do we know whether we are living as disciples?
The evidence is found in the fruit our lives produce.
A disciple increasingly demonstrates love, humility, obedience, forgiveness, integrity, and a growing desire to please God.
No believer is perfect, but genuine disciples are continually being transformed by the work of the Holy Spirit.
Their faith affects how they think, speak, and live.
They are not merely religious people trying harder. They are followers of Christ being changed from the inside out.
A Question Worth Asking
Every believer should honestly examine their walk with God.
Are you relying on religious habits, or are you actively following Jesus?
Are you satisfied with Christian appearances, or are you pursuing genuine spiritual transformation?
Jesus is not looking for admirers. He is looking for disciples.
The invitation remains the same today as it was when He first called His followers: Come, follow Me.
The most important decision we can make is not whether we appear religious, but whether we are truly living as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Jesus’ disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. It was certainly meant as a derision, as mockery, as Jesus’ disciples sought to model their lives after Christ.
This is also what Jesus called his disciples in Matthew 28:19-20, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Disciple in the Greek is mathetes – an imitator, someone who mimics someone else.
We don’t want to just hear the Word of God, but we want to pattern our lives after Jesus and diligently walk in His ways.
Listen to the full episode of the Foundational U Podcast with Dr. F. Dean Hackett and discover what authentic biblical discipleship looks like in today’s culture.
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About F. Dean Hackett
Dr. F. Dean Hackett has served in full-time Christian ministry since October 1971. He has ministered throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, serving as pastor, conference speaker and mentor. He has planted four churches, assisted in planting 15 others and currently serves as lead pastor of Living Faith Church in Hermiston, Oregon. Dr. Hackett founded Spirit Life Ministries International in 2001 to facilitate ministries in Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina and to open a training center for workers in those nations.
