Am I a Good Christian?

Am I a good Christian? A new convert or mature believer may ask themselves this question to ensure they represent Christianity well.

Jesus Christ, the Center of the Faith

Defining Christianity and Christ Atoning Work

For someone to know they are representing the faith well they must understand what being Christianity means. Christianity is a monotheistic religion that believes God exists as the Holy Spirit, Heavenly Father, and Son all at once.

The son’s name is Jesus Christ. Christians believe the Heavenly Father sent his only begotten son to be the Messiah and Savior of the World.

He earned these titles after being crucified on the cross at Calvary and resurrected to atone for humanity’s sins. Humans who believe this truth confess Jesus is their Lord and Savior.

Good Christians Understand the Importance of Repentance and Forgiveness 

This confession allows them to receive forgiveness for their sins. Knowing this, good Christians realize their righteousness is as filthy rags before the Lord (Isaiah 64:6).

Thankfully, the Lord considers one righteous once they receive salvation because Christ’s atoning work justifies them (2 Corinthians 5:21). This new standing allows believers to be called children of God.

1 John 3:6 says children of God do not live a lifestyle of repetitively practicing the same sin. Therefore, they intentionally confess their sins to the Father and fellow believers.

Good Christians understand confession to both the Father and other believers is crucial so they can 

1. Stop grieving God’s Holy Spirit dwelling inside of them.
2. Establish a form of accountability to help us resist sin and draw closer to God as one body.
3. Receive forgiveness for sins.

Good Christians Follow Christ’s Example and Teachings 

Forgive, Love, and Serve

Since Jesus freely forgives believers, he expects them to forgive others. Matthew 6:14-15 proves this when Jesus says those who forgive others are also forgiven. Conversely, those who hold grudges will experience God’s justice (Matthew 18:32-35). 

A just God extends love to humanity by sending Jesus not just to die but to set an example believers could follow. Christ demonstrates love by forgiving sins, healing the sick, and showing compassion to social outcasts.

Jesus expects his followers to demonstrate love by being kind to neighbors and caring for the less fortunate (Matthew 22:39; 25:34-40). He emphasizes this by mentioning whatever someone does to the least of these, they do to him (Matthew 25:40).

Caring for the least of these is an act of service. Christ served his disciples by humbling himself and washing their feet (John 13:1-17). 

During biblical times, foot washing was a form of humility as hosts would wash guests’ feet upon entering the home. Humility occurs as guests have dusty feet after walking on dirt roads. 

Therefore, good Christians must humble themselves and serve regardless of their “reputation.” This is so others can see their light and glorify the Father (Matthew 5:14).

Another form of service is hospitality. Jesus practices this by sharing a meal with others (Matthew 9:10-13). In the same way, Christians should be hospitable toward fellow believers.

Practicing and Obeying Jesus’ Teachings

When Jesus was hospitable toward others, he usually taught the word of God. One of his most famous sermons is “The Sermon on The Mount,” in Matthew chapters five through seven.

During this lecture, Jesus taught about the Beatitudes, prayer, fasting, worrying, adultery, giving to the needy, and other matters. In other sermons, Jesus emphasizes sharing the Gospel and making disciples (Matthew 28:18-20).

Individuals who put these teachings into practice are good Christians because they strive to obey God’s word. Obedience is a key indication someone has authentic faith as they are abiding in Christ (John 15:1-15).

Obedience to the Point of Persecution and Death

Interestingly, abiding in Christ through obedience may lead to suffering to the point of persecution and death. This reality manifested in Christ’s life as he was sentenced to be crucified for professing to be the Son of God (John 19:16-27). 

Christ’s disciples also suffer persecution and death for spreading the Gospel (Acts 5:17-42).  Persecutors even stone Deacon Steven to death for his faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 7:54-60).

For most Americans, suffering for identifying as a follower of Christ may seem like a foreign concept. This is because the First Amendment prevents the government from committing religious persecution.

However, converts in other countries don’t have the same legal protections. According to Open Doors

• 90% of religiously motivated killings happen in Nigeria.
• 1in 7 Christians are persecuted worldwide.
• Nearly 5,000 believers were murdered in 2023.
• North Korea is the most dangerous place for Christians.
• Nearly 15,000 properties belonging to followers of Christ were attacked in 2023.

These statistics show good Christians overseas understand to live is Christ but to die is gain. 

For good Christians in America, this means not taking the religious freedoms we have for granted by simply focusing solely on domestic affairs. Instead, we pray daily for those facing persecution for obeying the Lord.

A Quick Note About Suffering 

The Lord knows my heart aches for those suffering abroad. That said, scripture doesn’t limit suffering to those who risk their lives for the Gospel.

Suffering can occur when dealing with a sickness or some affliction that causes one to depend on God for strength to endure. Paul refers to this affliction as a thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

Scholars use Paul’s example in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 to suggest dealing with the thorn in the flesh involves

1. Praying.
2. Relying on God’s grace.
3. Bosting in the Lord.

Boasting in and depending on God for strength to endure while suffering is the mark of a good Christian.

What Fuels the Motives of a Good Christian?

Don’t Act Like Showy Hypocrites

While authentic believers boast in the Lord, others perform religious deeds for show. Matthew 6:5 proves this when Jesus exposes hypocrites who love to pray aloud publicly for attention.

Jesus continues exposing the true intentions of hypocrites in Matthew 23:1-31 (New Living Translation) as they

• Don’t practice what they preach.
• Place heavy religious burdens on others.
• Act as a stumbling block for new converts.
• Dishonor God and his temple by swearing by them.
• Fail to demonstrate mercy, justice, and faith.
• Focus on appearing pure but greedy and self-indulgent.  

Jesus’ warning suggests good Christians know they are imperfect yet strive to obey and encourage others to follow him. 

Be Filled with the Holy Spirit

Good Christians can only sincerely obey Jesus by being filled with the Holy Spirit.  Galatians 5:16-26 depicts a contrast between those who allow the Holy Spirit to lead their lives versus those who function according to the flesh.

The Holy Spirit helps believers bear fruit such as love, joy, peace, patience, and long-suffering (Galatians 5:22-23). God’s Spirit also governs believers’ lives so they can resist fleshly desires (Galatians 5:24).

Good Christians are more likely to resist the flesh when they allow the Holy to continually fill their lives. This happens when believers

• Live by the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).
• Not grieving or stifling the Spirit (1 Thessalonians  5:19, Ephesians 4:30).
• Pray (Romans 8:26-27, Acts 4:23-31).
• Resist sexual sin as their body is God’s holy temple (1 Corinthians 6:15-20).
• Sing spiritual songs  (Ephesians 5:19-21).

Can you think of any other indicators of a good Christian? I’d love to read them. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!