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.4
You cannot be saved without believing in Jesus Christ,5 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.6 When you actually believe Jesus, you always follow his example.7 What you really believe isn’t demonstrated by what you say you believe, but by how you actually think, feel, and act.8
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.442
People who consider themselves Christians yet do not follow the example of Christ are deceiving themselves.443 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.444 Jesus taught that you do not become a Christian until and unless you reconcile to his example.445
Until you reconcile your life to God’s instructions, you can’t truthfully say you believe in him.446 Until you actually obey Jesus, claiming to believe in him simply adds to your condemnation before God.447
Footnotes
- 1. And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father? (2 Nephi 32:10) ↩
- 2. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I beseech of you in words of soberness that ye would repent, and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you. And while his arm of mercy is extended towards you in the light of the day, harden not your hearts. (Jacob 6:5) ↩
- 3. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light....No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon....But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:21-22, 24, 33) ↩
- 4. 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) ↩
- 5. 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) ↩
- 6. 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) ↩
- 7. “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) ↩
- 8. And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? (Luke 6:46) ↩