Are you a Believer or a Christian?

The largest percentage of the global population identifies Christianity as their source of faith or religion. On top of this, there are multitudes of denominations within Christianity. I want to focus on the difference of being a believer and a Christian.  Some may think there is no reason to distinguish these two, but I believe doing so can help one understand why "Christianity" has so many varying degrees of commitment to the faith.

A believer in Christ is saved. One can become a believer in Christ (saved from Hell to Heaven possessing eternal life) at any moment. However, this does not mean that this saved individual will go on demonstrating their faith in Christian service. A believer in Christ is "born again", possesses the new divine Spirit nature, and has capability to be transformed spiritually by God (1 Pet. 1:23, 1 John 3:9); but then why do we not see the majority of so called "Christianity" living out their faith daily and making a positive difference in the world? Why are there so many "Christians" who seem depressed, defeated, and synonymous with the secular world?

Let's be clear, a believer in Christ is one who has understood they cannot save themselves by any good works or their own human merit. They understand that they are a sinner (condemned, headed for Hell), but they have placed their faith in Jesus Christ as their substitute payment for sins (they believed Jesus lived a perfect life as God in flesh, shed His sinless blood, died, and rose alive from death). In this belief, one understands that Jesus appeased the wrath of God for full justification of the world's sins. Jesus is the Sufficient Savior to anyone who personally believes (trusts) on Him for their salvation.

To become a believer in Christ (saved), simply believe on Him:

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." - John 3:16-18

Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life." - John 6:47

"And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." - Acts 16:30-31

So now you may wonder, well what's the difference of a believer and a Christian?  A believer is saved, has eternal life, and will go to Heaven when they die. However, they may appear no different than the natural, unsaved individual. Moreover, they may not see much (or any major) difference in their personal life down here on Earth. A believer is a new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17), but they haven't developed, grown, or matured into a Christian (1 Cor. 3:1-3).

A Christian is a "Christ follower" which is the literal definition in the Greek. One could also say a Christian is a disciple of Christ which means they are learning constantly of Him and attempting to emulate their lives after His. Early Christians were referred to by that term because they were each viewed as a "little Christ." Christians are to be committed to imitating Christ with their full lives in everything they say and do.

A committed Christian studies the Bible/Word of God and applies it in their lives through motivated, active love. A Christian will thoroughly understand and remind themselves of the Gospel of their salvation (Eph. 1:12-14, 1 John 5:9-13). Knowing how marvelous the grace of God is towards those that are saved produces a spiritual knowledge of assurance that only the Holy Spirit can provide. A dedicated Christian will experience inner joy, peace, and true fulfillment in life because they have transformed their mind to view their life through the lens of Jesus, yielding to the Holy Spirit who resides inside of them (Rom. 12:1-2). Christians are to represent Christ in every circumstance, every day. 

A believer in Christ is a saved sinner which is the starting point in the "born again" spiritual miracle. A believer in Christ has all the potential and freedom to grow into a mature Christian, but some choose to simply remain stagnant, and their physical/mental lives will suffer as so (2 Pet. 1:1-15).

In contrast, a committed Christian understands the significance of serving Christ and applying the knowledge of the grace of God to every aspect of their life (Tit. 2:11-15). A dedicated Christian will experience an abundant Christian life as promised by Jesus (John 10:10) and enter into Heaven approved and commended (Matt. 25:21 &23, 2 Pet. 1:10-11).

So, the question remains, are you simply a believer or a Christian?