What is a Christian?

The question of whether Christians should ever participate in war speaks to the heart of what a Christian is.

Just what is a real Christian? Is he one who “attends Church”—“professes Jesus”—“knows Christ”—has been “baptized”? Is there a single verse to which we can turn that gives the Bible definition of a Christian and eliminates all confusion?

Paul wrote, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Rom. 8:14). A Christian is one who has the Holy Spirit leading him. But is having God’s Spirit absolutely essential to being a Christian? Earlier, Paul had said, “But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His” (Rom 8:9)!

It is that simple! One either has the Spirit of God, and is a Christian, or one does not have it and is not a Christian—is “none of His.” All those who are truly converted must have the Holy Spirit in them.

But what does this mean? Is this all there is to Christianity and conversion or is there more to it?

When Christ kept the Passover the night before He was crucified, He indirectly, through prayer, explained an important principle to His disciples: “I pray not that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through Your truth: YOUR WORD IS TRUTH” (John 17:15-17).

A Christian believes and follows the TRUTH, knowing it is this that sets him apart from all those around him—sanctifies him. He is not of the world and its ways, customs, and traditions. But what does this mean?

Are Christians required to obey the laws of God? What is the answer—the truth—from His Word?

Jesus never taught that people should just “believe on Him” to receive salvation. When a young rich man asked Him what he must do to have “eternal life”—receive salvation—Christ told him, “If you will enter into life, KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS.” Hearing this, the disciples were shocked. (So are most ministers and churchmen.) They didn’t understand how this was possible and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Christ answered, “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Matt. 19:17, 25-26).

In Mark 7:7-8, Christ said, “Howbeit IN VAIN do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men.” It is possible to worship Christ in vain. It is possible to think about Him, talk about Him and refer to Him often as Lord—ALL IN VAIN!

War is a long-held TRADITION of men practiced by hundreds of millions of traditional professing Christians. However, notice: “Not every one that says unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven [“of” not “in” heaven]; but he that DOES the will of My Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21). Paul wrote, “the DOERS of the law [God’s] shall be justified” (Rom. 2:13).

The book of Acts speaks of “the Holy [Spirit], whom God has given to them that OBEY Him” (Acts 5:32). Receiving God’s Spirit is preceded by repentance and baptism. The Holy Spirit is given at baptism, upon one’s repentance of having broken God’s law (Acts 2:38). At this point, a new, spirit-begotten life begins. The newly begotten child of God is now a “joint heir of God…with Christ” (Rom. 8:16). He becomes part of the true Church that Christ promised to build and lead (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18)—and feed—through His true ministry (Eph. 4:11-15).

But what about “having love”? Aren’t Christians merely those who “show love”? If so, what is it? Let’s consider several verses and clear up all confusion!

Paul wrote, “...the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy [Spirit] which is given unto us” (Rom. 5:5). When a Christian receives God’s Spirit, he receives some of the love of God. Over time, through actively exercising it, the depth and amount of love grows.

There are two different ways of life. One is the “GIVE” way—the way of love and outgoing concern—God’s way. The other is the “GET” way—of selfishness and self-concern—the way of this world. Christ taught that it is “more blessed to GIVE than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

With this in mind, what is the Bible definition of love?

John wrote, “FOR THIS IS THE LOVE OF GOD, THAT WE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS: and His commandments are not grievous” (I John 5:3). Many who claim to have love believe that the commandments ARE grievous. God says they are not, and calls His Law “holy, just, good and spiritual” (Rom. 7:12-14).

The Bible explains, through Paul, that the commandments and the law are the same: “Love works no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law” (Rom. 13:10). The Bible definition of love is “the fulfilling of the law.” Keeping the commandments is fulfilling the law—and doing this “WORKS NO ILL TO HIS NEIGHBOR.” Killing and maiming for any reason cannot possibly fit God’s definition of love.

A far more detailed explanation of love is found in I Corinthians 13:1-13. Take the time to carefully consider each phrase of this chapter! You will have no doubt that it is incompatible with war, fighting and killing.

What is Sin?

God has defined love in His Word. But what about sin?

Here is His definition: “Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for SIN IS THE TRANSGRESSION OF THE LAW” (I John 3:4). Paul wrote, “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). We do not concern ourselves with what men say, but with what the Bible says. God’s Word reveals the truth.

Sin is the opposite of obedience—it is the transgression of the law. If Christians are to obey God, then what are they to obey? The Ten Commandments. By doing this, they work “no ill” toward their neighbour.

Most societies have laws paralleling several of the Ten Commandments. There are laws against killing, stealing and bearing false witness under oath, etc. Some even outlaw adultery. Violators of men’s laws are considered guilty of a “crime.” God calls these same violations SIN!

In the Sixth Commandment, He thunders, “Thou shalt not kill!” (Ex. 20:13), and His servants obey Him!

The Sixth Commandment

Since Christians are those who follow—who copy—Jesus Christ (I Peter 2:21; Phil. 2:5), we must ask, what would He do if He were alive today? Would Christ bear arms and kill His fellow man? Did He teach something different, something contrary to the Ten Commandments? Did the apostles Paul and John merely record their own opinions about love, the law and sin? What did Christ actually teach about fighting, hating and killing?

Jesus was prophesied in Isaiah to come and “magnify the law” (Isa 42:21). Is there evidence that He did this?

Begin with Matthew 5:21-22: “You have heard that it was said by them of old time, YOU SHALL NOT KILL; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, You fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” This is serious instruction! It obviously does expand—“magnify”—the Sixth Commandment.

But the same chapter contains more: “You have heard that it has been said, AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH: But I say unto you, that you resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Mt 5:38-39). Where is room for physical or military retaliation in this verse?

The continuation of this instruction, a few verses later, removes all doubt: “You have heard that it has been said, YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR, AND HATE YOUR ENEMY. But I say unto you, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Mt 5:43-44).

Three times Christ said, “You have heard,” followed by, “But I say.” Each time, He proceeded to make the law more binding. Those who truly seek to please God will be unable to explain away the truth of these verses.

How important are these things to God? Mt 5:45 answers: “That you may be the children of your Father…in heaven.” Like any parent, God expects His children to obey Him. Christ’s command is so important that it qualifies who God considers to be His children.

Let’s leave absolutely no doubt about what God requires and what is at stake for those who ignore and disobey Him: “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loves not his brother abides in death. WHOSOEVER HATES HIS BROTHER IS A MURDERER: and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him” (I John 3:14-15).

Ultimately, all violence, and the spirit of aggression, come from hate and anger. Christ was very specific about the need to control these attitudes.

We have seen that God gives His Spirit to them that obey Him—those who have repented of sin. Now notice the following account: “Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?…And the SOLDIERS likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages” (Luke 3:12, 14). When soldiers asked John the Baptist about baptism, this was his answer!

The Old Testament God who thundered from Mount Sinai, “Thou shalt not kill,” is the same Christ who thunders this to you and me today and further commands, “Do violence to no man.”

As a wise man once observed, “Christ is pictured as a rebellious young man who came to do away with His Father’s law.” He is not.

Here is one more proof. Have you realized that Jesus Christ was the God of the Old Testament? Paul proves that they were actually the same Person. When speaking of ancient Israel, He wrote, “And [Israel] did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual ROCK that followed them: AND THAT ROCK WAS CHRIST” (I Cor. 10:4). Theologians and religionists try to place Christ in conflict with—in opposition to—the God of the Old Testament. How absurd!

When David referred to God as “my Rock,” he meant CHRIST! Moses was given the Ten Commandments by Christ, and Abraham dealt with Him face-to-face (Ex. 3:14; John 8:58).

What if everyone obeyed Christ’s instruction to keep the law? What if the whole world kept the Ten Commandments? Sadly, few do. In Matthew 24:1-51, Christ described conditions that would precede His Second Coming. Mt 24:12 describes how “iniquity [lawlessness] shall abound,” and will result in “the love of many…wax[ing] cold.” But the time is coming when the whole world, under one government, will keep God’s law. (Read our book The Ten Commandments – “Nailed to the Cross” or Required for Salvation? to learn more.)