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What Does A Christian Look Like?

interview by Carla Barnhill

Christian./ It's a word we use so much, we sometimes forget what it means. What is a Christian, really? Is a Christian someone who's totally out there with her faith, preaching in front of the school every morning? Is it someone who sits quietly reading his Bible alone at the cafeteria table? Is it the faithful youth group member who volunteers for every event and leads three different Bible studies?

Sometimes it's hard to put your finger on exactly what it is that sets Christians apart from non-Christians. So we talked to a group of students to find out what they think makes a Christian a Christian. And here's what they had to say.

Campus Life:/ What are some of the myths people have about Christians?
Jennifer:/ Everybody says we're goody two-shoes. They think we don't have friends and don't go to the movies or go to the mall. They think all we do is read our Bibles and go to church.

Oscar:/ People's picture of a Christian is someone carrying their Bible around, wearing glasses and a suit and tie, walking to church. You know, kind of nerdy.

Chelsey: /And some people just automatically think that, because you're a Christian, your life has been perfect—that you don't have problems or struggles.

Becky:/ There are also people who say they're Christians but don't really do anything about it. They give people the impression that Christians are just like anyone else, that there's nothing special about being a Christian.

James:/ Some people think Christians are hypocrites. There are so many people who profess Christ, but don't live it out at all.

OK, we've been dwelling on the negative stereotypes. What sort of positive things do you hear about Christians?

Jennifer:/ I have a friend who's not a Christian. And she'll say to me, "Jennifer, you're different." And she means that in a good way.

Oscar: /You know, I think it's OK that some people are a little nervous around Christians. I think it means we have a reputation for standing up for what's right. And that scares some people.

OK, we've talked about what non-Christians think of Christians. How would you guys describe Christians? Who are we?

James:/ We're lovers of Christ, lovers of God. That's the essential thing. A Christian is someone who's been adopted into God's family and is radically living for him. Following God is about love. In First Peter, it says we're supposed to respond to the gospel by loving our brothers and sisters. That's a big part of who we are.

Becky: /We're also not perfect. People assume I'm a Christian because I get along with my parents and my teachers and don't get into trouble. But I know I'm not perfect. I know I do bad things sometimes. But you don't have to be perfect to be a Christian. In fact, you can't be perfect. You just have to try to follow God the best you can.

Chelsey: /I think it's also important to say that, while we share the same faith, Christians aren't all the same. I don't think you can bunch us all into the same group and say, "Christians are this or that," because everybody's different.

So what makes a Christian a Christian? Is it lifestyle?
Is it a set of common beliefs? What?

Jennifer:/ To be a Christian you have to love God. You have to believe that Jesus died for your sins, and that he's coming back. Being a Christian means Jesus has changed your heart. You live out what the Bible says with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Oscar:/ Being a Christian isn't just a Sunday thing. You have to live it out every day.

Jennifer mentioned "living out what the Bible says." What does that look like?

Chelsey:/ It's the way you act, the way you handle situations. I live in the inner city, and there, you're expected to have an "attitude" to get along. But I'm trying to live differently because I'm a Christian. When someone comes up to me and starts talking trash, I have to make a choice about what to do. Sometimes, if I'm not in the mood to take the time to be calm, I snap. But I try to stay cool, to talk things out, or go to a Christian adult for advice on how to handle this other person.

James: /I think there's just a joy that comes when you're really staying close to God. I was at the beach with some friends last summer and one of my friends kept going up to complete strangers and saying, "Are you thirsty? Can I buy you something to drink?" And everyone in our group was like, "You shouldn't do that. People will think you're weird." But the Bible calls us to be generous. My friend wasn't being obnoxious; he was just trying to share what he had. There's something about that kind of radical obedience that I think is really admirable.

A lot of times, Christians are defined by the stuff we won't do. What are some of the lifestyle choices you've made that show other people you're serious about your faith?

Jennifer: /I've stopped cursing and I don't like people to curse around me. I just walk away. I think the way you dress also tells people about your values. At my school, a lot of girls wear stuff that shows off their bodies. I just don't get that.

Oscar: /I stopped listening to secular music. I only listen to Christian music now.

Jennifer: /I'm careful about music too. People say, "Oh, it doesn't affect me." But I say, "Listen to the words. You're singing along with those words, they're coming out of your mouth. Even though you might not be aware of it, those words are affecting the way you think."

Chelsey: /I still listen to secular music, but I try to be really careful about what I listen to. I think music really does affect my attitude. There's a lot of bad stuff out there.

Oscar:/ I also stopped watching TV. I've been reading Christian books, I've been reading the Bible. I'm not saying TV is bad; I just have better things to do with my time. I want to go into ministry, and that takes reading and a lot of just being still and listening to God. I just don't need distractions like TV. It's been really hard, because in my family the TV's always on.

James:/ I think entertainment is one area where it's really easy for me to push God aside. It seems like I'm willing to honor God in other areas of my life, but when it comes to entertainment, it's like, "Hey, this is my thing." One verse that really sticks in my mind is Philippians 4:8. It says, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."/ I try to use that as my test for what's right and wrong.

All those things—music, movies, television—are such a huge part of social life in high school. Has it been hard to give those things up?

James:/ It's actually easier to say no to non-Christian friends, because they kind of expect that of me. But when I'm with my Christian friends it's really hard for me to stand up and say, "I'm not going to watch this movie." I feel like I'm going to offend them, like they'll think I'm saying I'm better than them. I also feel like I'm maybe being too strict with myself; sometimes I feel like, "if they can do it, I can too." I guess you kind of have to just do what you think is right and let whatever happens happen.

Oscar:/ It's like it says in Matthew 7:13-14: There's a wide gate and a narrow gate. There's the easy way and the hard way. The easy way is to do whatever you want to do. The hard way is getting down on your knees and praying and saying, "God, you have to be my strength."

What about those times it's just you and God? What are the signs of a Christian life that only you and God can see?

Jennifer: /There's a song by Kirk Franklin that I listen to when I'm alone in my room. And it makes me cry every time, so you gotta know there's something behind that song. I know it's God. I know he's touching me and that it's real. I'm not putting on a show for anybody.

Becky:/ I get that same kind of feeling in church. That's when I'm really aware of God's presence in my life. I know in my heart I believe in God and that Jesus came down and died on the cross. I know he's forgiven me.

Oscar: /When I feel tempted to sin, I realize I have to control myself. That's the Holy Spirit working. I know I'm a Christian, because God has called me, God has made me who I am.

James: /One thing I notice in my life is that when I sin, I regret it afterward. And that's by the grace of God. I just want to go back to God and cling to him.

What are some things that help you keep your faith strong?

Chelsey:/ I try to find my best Christian friends or talk to my parents and let them know what's going on. If I hang out with friends who aren't living their faith, I'm going to end up doing something wrong. But if I hang out with people who are committed to their faith, they help me stay strong.

Becky:/ I try to follow what it says in Romans 12. It tells you how to live, what it means to be a Christian.

Jennifer:/ I'm a worrywart. I worry about everything. But Jeremiah 29:11 says, "I know the plans I have for you … plans to prosper and not to harm you … " so I think of that verse a lot. It helps me worry a little less about what's going to happen next.

Oscar:/ I also get a lot of help from the Bible. My faith is strongest when I'm in the Word daily and spending time in prayer. Getting involved in the youth group was a big thing for me too. I think having good Christian friends, especially a best friend who's a Christian, is one of the keys to living the way God wants us to live.

What does it mean to live for God, to live a holy life?

Chelsey:/ To me it just means purity. Having a pure mind, a pure body. It's being the best you can be.

James: /I think a love for Christ is at the center of a holy life. It's when your love for Christ is so bright it radiates out to everything. Every single aspect of your life, everything you come in touch with is affected by your love for Christ.

Becky:/ It's like the qualities of love that First Corinthians 13 talks about—being patient and kind and humble.

Do you think it's possible for us to live holy lives?

Chelsey:/ It's hard, but it's possible. You have to watch yourself all the time. You've got to be able to accept correction from other Christians. And you have to pray that God will help you stand up and follow him.

Oscar:/ And when we fall, when we sin, we have to realize that we are forgiven. Everything comes back to God. It's only by God's grace that we can live the way God wants us to. His Spirit living in us is the only way we can ever hope to live holy lives.

Copyright © 1997 by the author or Christianity Today International/Campus Life magazine. For reprint information call 630-260-6200 or e-mail clmag@CampusLife.net November/December 1997. Page 36

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