Following Jesus Christ is more than identifying yourself with someone or affirming a new value system. Being a Christian and following Christ means you have embraced what the Bible says about God, mankind, sin, and salvation. What does God's Word say about these truths? Let's take a quick look.
A Christian Looks to God
God is Sovereign Creator. Our world and culture tells us man is the result of evolution, but the Bible says we were created by a personal God to love, serve, and enjoy endless fellowship with God. The New Testament tells us it was Jesus who created everything ( John 1:3; Colossians 1:16), so He therefore owns and rules everything (Psalm 103:19). He has authority over our lives and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship.
God is Holy. God is absolutely and perfectly holy (Isaiah 6:3); therefore He cannot commit or approve of evil (James 1:13). God requires holiness of us as well (1 Peter 1:16).
A Christian Acknowledges Sin
Mankind is Sinful. According to Scripture, everyone is guilty of sin. "There is no man who does not sin" (1 Kings 8:46). That doesn't mean we are incapable of acts of human kindness, but instead that we are incapable of understanding, loving, or pleasing God on our own (Romans 3:10-12; Romans 8:7-8).
Sin Demands a Penalty. God's holiness and justice demand that all sin be punished by death (Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 1:32). That's why simply changing our patterns of behavior can't solve our sin problem or eliminate its consequences.
A Christian Repents and Turns to Jesus
Jesus is Lord and Savior. Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Even though God's justice demands death for sin, His love has provided a Savior who paid the penalty and died for sinners (1 Peter 3:18). Christ's death satisfied the demands of God's justice, and Christ's perfect life satisfied the demands of God's holiness (2 Corinthians 5:21), thereby enabling Him to forgive and save those who place their faith in Him (Romans 3:26).
The Character of Saving Faith. True faith is always accompanied by repentance from sin. Repentance is agreeing with God that you are sinful, confessing your sins to Him, and making a conscious choice to turn from your sin (Luke 13:3,5; 1 Thessalonians 1:9) and pursue Christ (Matthew 11:28-30; John 17:3) and obedience to Him (1 John 2:3). It isn't enough to believe certain facts about Christ. Even true saving faith always responds in obedience (Ephesians 2:10).