What is a True Christian?

Teresa Sturek -

What is a true Christian? A true Christian is a person who is chosen by God to be one of His people. God’s people should stand out in a way that reflects His image. A true Christian is also called to be a light of Christ in the world of darkness and evil. Different characteristics of a true Christian are mentioned in the book of Romans in chapter 12 verses 9 through 21. The characteristics in Romans 12:9-12 teach us how we should act and treat others in a way that pleases God.

A true Christian should show some of these character traits:

  1. “Your love must be real. Hate what is evil and hold on to what is good.”

  2. “Love each other like brothers and sisters. Give each other more honor than you want for yourselves.”

  3. “Do not be lazy but work hard, serving the Lord with all your heart.”

  4. “Be joyful because you have hope. Be patient when trouble comes and pray at all times.”

  5. “Share with God’s people who need help. Bring strangers in need into your homes.”

  6. “Wish good for those who harm you; wish them well and do not curse them.”

  7. “Be happy with those who are happy and be sad with those who are sad.”

  8. “Live in peace with each other. Do not be proud but make friends with those who seem unimportant. Do not think how smart you are.”

  9. “If someone does wrong to you, do not pay him back by doing wrong to him. Try to do what everyone thinks is right.”

  10. “Do your best to live in peace with everyone.”

  11. “My friends, do not try to punish others when they wrong you, but wait for God to punish them with his anger. It is written: ‘I will punish those who do wrong; I will repay them,’ says the Lord.”

  12. “If your enemy is hungry, feed him, if he is thirsty, give him a drink. Doing this will be like pouring burning coals on his head.”

  13. “Do not let evil defeat you but defeat evil by doing good.”

Some of these characteristics may seem impossible to do but with God’s help, He will make it possible for us to live it out. We need to remember that God is continually perfecting our hearts and our character to be like His until the day we die.