What defines a good Christian? What Defines a Good Christian? A good Christian is often described by outward behavior, but the biblical perspective goes far deeper, addressing the heart, faith, relationships, and ultimate purpose. Below is a comprehensive survey of what Scripture and supporting evidence convey about this question. 1. Foundational Faith in Christ A central element is complete trust in Jesus as the resurrected Son of God. One must believe He died for sins, rose on the third day, and is the only path to salvation. • The Apostle Paul teaches, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). • This confession is not merely intellectual assent; it involves surrender of one’s life to Christ. Historically, numerous scholars and apologists reference the early accounts of Christ’s resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3–7) as written only a few decades after the events. Outside documentation, such as the first-century Jewish historian Josephus who acknowledged Jesus in his writings (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 18), and the second-century Roman historian Tacitus support the existence of early Christian belief in the Resurrection. These corroborations, though not Scripture, provide a secondary source that believers stake their faith on historical facts. 2. Obedience to Biblical Teaching Faith in Christ leads to a transformed way of living. A “good Christian” seeks to conform to God’s Word. • Jesus states, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). • Scripture offers comprehensive guidance: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). This emphasis is reinforced by the remarkable consistency of ancient biblical manuscripts. The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in the mid-20th century, showed that the Old Testament text had been transmitted with extraordinary accuracy over centuries. This attests to the solidity of the written Word on which obedience is founded. 3. Love for God and Others Scripture underscores the importance of love as a hallmark of godliness. • Jesus summarizes the core commandments: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ … ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:37–39). • Genuine Christian love motivates acts of service, compassion, and the sharing of truth. Archaeological findings, such as ancient house churches (e.g., the Dura-Europos house church dated to the third century AD), showcase an early Christian community that practiced fellowship, prayer, and care for each other—echoing the command to love neighbor as oneself. 4. Growth and Transformation by the Holy Spirit A good Christian is characterized by ongoing spiritual growth, nurtured by the Holy Spirit. • Galatians 5:22–23 highlights the “fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” • Transformation is an ongoing process: “He who began a good work in you will continue to perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). This transformation is not limited to personal behavior. Many believers throughout history, including eyewitnesses of modern missions, report miraculous healings and radical life changes—pointing to the Spirit’s active role in changing hearts and lives. 5. Commitment to Prayer and Worship Prayer and worship connect believers to the living God and focus their hearts on Him. • “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in every circumstance…” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18). • The early church (Acts 2:42) gathered for teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer, practices that define communal worship still today. Beyond personal edification, corporate worship reminds Christians of the historical basis of their faith—celebrating Christ’s resurrection, often observed weekly from the earliest times (Acts 20:7). 6. Sharing the Gospel A further mark of a good Christian is the recognition that faith is not private but meant to be shared. • Jesus’s Great Commission: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). • Early believers faced great risk in proclaiming the resurrection, yet the church exploded in growth, suggesting the apostles’ sincerity and strong evidence of an empty tomb. Culturally, this led to Christian communities that shaped hospitals, charities, and social welfare, showing a tangible outpouring of gospel-driven compassion. 7. Humility and Repentance Far from perfection, a good Christian understands the need for grace, regularly confessing sin and turning from it. • Scripture reminds us: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). • The process of repentance fosters humility and gratitude toward God for His mercy. Though some philosophies attempt to explain morality apart from divine influence, believers see consistent evidence of humanity’s moral struggle and the necessity of repentance to align with God’s standard. 8. Assurance of God’s Creation and Intelligent Design Confidence in God’s creative hand shapes a Christian’s worldview. Many point to scientific observations as consistent with an intelligent Designer. • Genesis 1:1 states, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” • The “Cambrian Explosion,” often cited in scientific literature, reveals the sudden appearance of complex life forms, aligning with the concept of a direct creative act rather than a purely gradual process. • Geological and historical chronologies like those presented in Archbishop Ussher’s calculations suggest a timeline consistent with a young earth model, though debated in broader scientific circles. Such perspectives strengthen a believer’s trust in Scripture’s witness that God is the all-powerful Creator who made humanity in His image. 9. Confidence in Historical Reliability The historical dimension of the faith further cements what it means to be a good Christian, as faith is rooted in real events. • Accounts of biblical towns, nations, and peoples repeatedly corroborate with excavated artifacts. For example, the Tel Dan Stele references the “House of David,” giving external support for David’s lineage, central to Jesus’s ancestry. • The New Testament manuscripts exhibit a body of evidence in the thousands (in Greek, Latin, and other languages), dwarfed by most other ancient works in quantity and closeness to original composition date. This textual consistency reinforces the believer’s confidence in preaching and practicing the faith. Holding that Scripture is factual and faithful encourages a devotion to God’s Word as the final authority on life and godliness. 10. Living for God’s Glory Ultimately, the purpose animating a good Christian’s life is to glorify God and enjoy fellowship with Him. • Paul exhorts, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). • This central aim shapes moral choices, vocational pursuits, and personal relationships, pointing all things back to the Creator. Biblical history, the homage of first-century believers, and changed lives throughout the centuries consistently testify to the supreme worthiness of God. Modern Christians continue in this legacy by living out faith daily for His glory. Conclusion Defining a good Christian is far more than describing moral behavior. It is first anchored in belief in Christ—the crucified and resurrected Redeemer—followed by a life marked by love, obedience, spiritual growth, humility, evangelism, confidence in the Creator’s design, and commitment to God’s glory. Those who embody these qualities do so as an ongoing journey, relying on Scripture’s consistent witness, the Holy Spirit’s power, and the historic cornerstone of Christ’s resurrection. This should offer hope and direction to anyone seeking to pursue the kind of life that truly aligns with the message of the Bible (John 3:16). |
    |