In a world where the word "Christian" is often used as a label or cultural identity, it is vital to ask: What does it really mean to be a Christian? As Christian theologians and pastors have taught for centuries, and as recent sermons from churches in Boulder, Colorado, have emphasized, being a Christian is not merely about external behaviors or belonging to a religious group. It is about a profound relationship, a transformation, and a way of life rooted in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
At the very heart of Christianity is the message of grace. To be a Christian is first and foremost to receive, by grace through faith, the gift of salvation offered in Jesus Christ. This is not something we can earn by good works or moral effort. As the Apostle Paul writes, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).
This means trusting in Jesus—believing in His death and resurrection, and following Him as Lord. It is a surrender of self-reliance and an acceptance of God’s love and forgiveness. As Crestview Church explains in their November 2024 sermon, the Christian life begins not with what we do, but with what Christ has done for us.
Crestview Church: The Gift of Grace (Nov 21, 2024)
The freedom that comes from Christ is not a license to do whatever we please, but a liberation from the power of sin and the compulsion to earn God’s favor. Christians are set free to love God wholeheartedly and to love others genuinely. This freedom is transformative—it changes our desires, our actions, and our relationships.
As the South Boulder Bible Church sermon from September 2021 highlights, true Christian freedom is the ability to live a life that reflects God’s love and righteousness, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Christianity is not a solitary journey. The New Testament consistently describes the Christian life as one lived in community. The church is a family, a body, and a fellowship where faith is both “caught and taught.” It is in community that we learn to speak truth in love, to serve one another, and to grow in Christlikeness.
St. John's Episcopal Church in Boulder emphasizes that it takes the whole church—not just individuals—to nurture and sustain the Christian life. Through worship, teaching, and mutual support, believers are shaped into the likeness of Christ.
St. John's Episcopal Church: Community in Christ (Nov 6, 2023)
Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) and the Beatitudes provide a blueprint for Christian character: humility, mercy, purity of heart, and peacemaking. Christians are called to be “salt and light” in the world, preserving what is good and illuminating God’s truth. This is not just about private morality, but about public witness—living in such a way that others see God’s love in action.
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” — John 13:35
At the core of the Christian life is love—love for God and love for neighbor. Jesus summarized all the commandments in this way, and declared that love is the defining mark of His followers. As Calvary Bible Church teaches, to be a Christian is to be a person who loves deeply, sacrificially, and consistently, just as Christ has loved us.
Calvary Bible Church: The Command to Love (Aug 12, 2024)
Jesus prayed for His followers to be united, reflecting the unity He shares with the Father (John 17:21). This unity is expressed through humble service, mutual care, and a shared mission. The church is called to be a community where differences are reconciled and every member is valued.
As the South Boulder Bible Church sermon reminds us, unity is not uniformity, but a Spirit-empowered harmony that points the world to Christ.
In summary, to be a Christian is to receive God’s grace through faith in Jesus, to live in the freedom and power of the Holy Spirit, to love God and others deeply, to participate in the life of the church, and to seek to embody Jesus’ teachings in every aspect of life. It is a journey of transformation, relationship, and mission.
If you wish to explore these themes further, the sermons from Boulder’s churches offer rich and practical insights into what it means to follow Christ today.
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