What Is A Christian?

Co-host Willie Geist of MSNBC's "Morning Joe" didn't like what he was hearing from Franklin Graham yesterday morning.

Being pressed by Geist to declare that President Obama is a Christian Graham said, "I think you have to ask President Obama...he's come out saying he's a Christian. So I think the question is What Is A Christian?"

Geist didn't like the answer and continued to press. Graham said he thought the President's description of how he became a Christian was more focused on his community organizing than about a heartfelt connection with the Almighty.

Geist continued, "So therefore by your definition, he's not a Christian?"

Last Easter, Franklin Graham faced the same kind of angst over the same issue from Christiane Amanpour on ABC's "Face The Nation". Amanpour is gone from "Face The Nation" but the question persists. Is he a Christian?

Graham told Amanpour, "For him going to church means he is a Christian."

It isn't just the press thinking about this idea of what is a Christian and how that relates to the President and those who seek to become the President, the public is giving it some thought as well.

A 2010 PEW poll found that 34% of Americans said they believe President Obama is a Christian, a sharp decline from 2008 when they found 51% thought he was a Christian.

So what is a Christian?

The message Franklin Graham is taking around the world is this:

"For me, the definition of a Christian is whether we have given our life to Christ and are following him in faith, and we have trusted him as our Lord and Savior. That's the definition of a Christian. It's not as to what church you are a member of. A membership doesn't make you Christian."

Perhaps an even more poignant question would be one we would ask ourselves, "Am I a Christian? Have I given my life to Christ? Am I following Him in faith? Have I trusted Him as my Lord and Savior?"

Is my profession of Christianity merely an acceptance of a civil religion, or testimony of a new and transformed life in Christ? Is it a proclamation of philosophical acceptance or of spiritual transformation?

May God bless you and make Himself real to you.

Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Prayerful. Be Active. Be Blessed.