There are sme who claim that to be a Christian . . .

There are some who claim that to be a Christian, you must hold certain beliefs—that Jesus is the Son of God, let’s say, or that he was raised from the dead on the third day, or that the Trinity consists of three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Others claim that it is not so much our beliefs that mark us as Christians, but our actions.  A Christian is a person who does certain things; or to listen to some, a Christian is a person who avoids doing certain things, like smoking or drinking or playing golf on Sunday mornings.  (Interesting, isn’t it, that a liberating gospel is so often defined by what we are prohibited from doing.)

Both of these views have a degree of merit, I suppose.  But the fact remains that there are plenty of non-Christians who live perfectly decent, even exemplary, lives.  They are good neighbors, they volunteer in the community, and they make charitable contributions (some even tithe!) to help those who are less fortunate.  True, they may not be doing it in the name of Jesus Christ.  But it’s a little presumptuous to suggest that Christians are the only people in the world who perform acts of love and compassion.

When Jesus talked about what it means to be a Christian, he did not speak of it in terms of our beliefs or our actions.  He never said, “This is the way, and the truth, and the life.”  Instead, he told the disciples, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.”

In other words, it is our relationship with Jesus Christ that makes us Christian.  “No one comes to the Father except through me,” he said—meaning that is not simply our beliefs, or even our actions, that determine whether or not we are Christians.  It is the fact that Christ called us!  “You did not choose me,” he reminded his disciples, “I chose you.”

To be a Christian is not merely to sign your name on the dotted line as someone who subscribes to this doctrine or that creed.  Nor is it someone who says, “From here on out, I will do these things and avoid doing those things.”  To be a Christian is to recognize that before we say or do anything at all, Jesus Christ reaches out to us and declares, “I want you to follow me.”