A Christian is a follower of Jesus. “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me,’” Matthew 16:24.
In order to do this, a person must first recognize he is a sinner, then believe Jesus died for him. Finally, he must sacrifice his whole life and will to do God’s will. If God accepts his commitment, then God begets him to a new life with the holy Spirit. The person becomes a new creature in Christ.
Jesus, Himself, sacrificed His will to do God’s will. Hebrews 10:7, “Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written concerning me,) to do thy will, O God.” This is self-denial.
Obeying God in this present world brings opposition and suffering. Thus, all true Christians will suffer. Even Jesus, as the perfect Son of God, learned obedience when He suffered. Hebrews 5:8 (NLT), “though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.” In the same manner, a Christian’s obedience and suffering will change him. He will develop the fruit of the Spirit and a Christ-like character.
Some believe a Christian is anyone who worships Jesus and lives a good life. But this is not what the Bible teaches. Faithful Christians, the Bride of Christ, become saints. Psalm 50:5, “Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
Are Christians required to read the Bible daily? There is no scripture which teaches this. Yet true Christians long to read God’s word. They also study the scriptures to learn God’s truths (doctrines) and to live obediently. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect (complete, mature) throughly furnished unto all good works.”
We are not Roman Catholics, so we cannot accurately represent that denomination. However, there are important doctrinal differences between the Roman Catholic faith and the Bible. Read and study the Bible asking God to show you His truths.
We offer a free booklet about being a Christian. The free PDF may be downloaded at the following link: "Why Are You a Christian?"
