Christianity is not defined by a set of rules, a set of behaviors, or even a set of beliefs. Rather, it is defined as those who follow the example of Christ. While Christians may disagree with their ideas of how the Lord would live in their place, no Christian should dispute the optimality or necessity of doing so. True Christians are disciples of Christ—they conform their thoughts, words, and actions to their belief of how he would live in their place.1
You cannot be saved without believing in Jesus Christ,2 but what does it mean to believe in him? It is possible to profess belief in God without obeying him, but professing belief is not the same as actually believing.
You can’t believe in Jesus without following his example.3 When you actually believe Jesus, you always follow his example.4 What you really believe isn’t demonstrated by what you say you believe, but by how you actually think, feel, and act.5
To believe in Jesus is to pursue the purpose of God as your own by following the example of Jesus. It is to adopt and maintain his character at all times and in all places. Anything that doesn’t fit the pattern of God does not belong in the life of a disciple.
It isn’t difficult to find a professed Christian who views their belief in God as independent of whether they actually obey him or not. Paul spoke of these types of people:
They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. (Titus 1:16)
The so-called belief of those who do not obey God is different from the belief of the devils who oppose him only in that the devils actually fear him.6
People who consider themselves Christians yet do not follow the example of Christ are deceiving themselves.7 How can you claim to believe in God if you think you know better than what he commands? When you really believe Jesus, you actually do what he says.8 Jesus taught that you do not become a Christian until and unless you reconcile to his example.9
Until you reconcile your life to God’s instructions, you can’t truthfully say you believe in him.10 Until you actually obey Jesus, claiming to believe in him simply adds to your condemnation before God.11
Footnotes
- 1. And he called the crowd to become his disciples: Anyone wishing to follow me must adopt my thoughts, actions, and desires in preference to his own, being lifted up by and to my standard, and actually feel, think, and do as I would in their place. (Mark 8:34, Author’s Reflection) ↩
- 2. Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life. (D&C 45:5) ↩
- 3. Then Jesus said to all of his disciples: Anyone wishing to follow me must adopt my thoughts, actions, and desires in preference to his own, being lifted up by and to my standard, and actually feel, think, and do as I would in their place. (Matthew 16:24, Author’s Reflection) ↩
- 4. “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12, ESV) If you really believe in Jesus, you will “receive his testimony,” or adopt his example in all things: “And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.” (John 3:32-33) ↩
- 5. And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? (Luke 6:46) ↩
- 6. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. (James 2:19) ↩
- 7. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (James 1:22) ↩
- 8. So Jesus was saying to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word [continually obeying My teachings and living in accordance with them, then] you are truly My disciples. (John 8:31, AMP) ↩
- 9. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:9) And again, it showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them. (2 Nephi 31:9) ↩
- 10. ...Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2 Timothy 2:19) And if ye believe on his name ye will repent of all your sins, that thereby ye may have a remission of them through his merits. (Helaman 14:13) ↩
- 11. He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him. (John 3:36, RSV) ↩