Christians define themselves as followers of Jesus Christ. Christians who want to model their lives on that of Christ are commanded to love their neighbor and to work to help their neighbor. Who are our neighbors? Every inhabitant of this planet. Helping this many neighbors seems like an enormous amount of work.

Christians believe Christ suffered and died an ignominious death to atone for the collective sins of humanity. People are far from perfect, and although many do good, and seem to be good, most human actions are principally motivated by self-interest. Governments exist to preserve and protect life and property against the depridations of private interests, but usually fail to protect citizens in a disinterested and evenhanded manner. But even though the rulers of this world may not be fair, Christian scripture promises us that God is fair.

Jesus condemned humanity's obsession with self. Pride corrupts the purest of motives and the noblest of intentions. It is not the only world religion that admonishes self-sacrifice and a concern for the welfare of others, but it currently does claim the greatest number of adherents. There are historical reasons for this predominance. Its initial spread coincided with the ascendency of Imperial Rome, and its subsequent growth rode the coattails of the inheritors of the Roman mantle, which is Western (with a capital “W”) civilization. 

Legitimate Christianity is not learned, nor inherited, but received. The most devout and effective professed Christians are those who have experienced a personal encounter with Jesus, one which radically shifted their priorities. Born again believers are convinced that Jesus is real and (ideally) strive to convince others about the reality of Christ. The Bible proclaims that Jesus is the exclusive bridge between heaven and earth. The Bible also asserts that Christ, as our appointed judge, will decide whether we will inherit eternal life or eternal death. Christians labor to convince non-believers to become Christians through their words and their deeds.

Christianity has its roots in Judaism, and these roots continue to sustain it. Hebraic wisdom has stood the test of time. The first three verses of Psalm 14 record the psalmist's inspired analysis of unregenerate human nature:

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their acts are vile. There is no one who does good. The LORD looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God. All have turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

Christianity as defined by Christ is a demanding religion. Inconveniencing and exerting oneself for the betterment of others without any expectation of reward in this life is not in the natural order of things. According to the Bible, however, God supplies Christians with supernatural power to do good and to be good through the intervention and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Virtue, power, and knowledge is imparted to believers, supplanting whatever rubbish our nature and nurture has accumulated. God’s glory and goodness becomes magnified. Selfishness becomes replaced by humility.

As noted, goodness is not an inborn character trait. Both the Christian Old and New Testaments contain guidelines for proper behavior and many illustrations of what to do and what not to do. Some of these, such as the Ten Commandments, are plainly stated. Others guidelines require a deeper investigation, but the more a Christian familiarizes themselves with the Bible the better equipped they are to conform to its teaching. The behavior of an ideal Christian is well defined, but these behaviors are not always evident in the members of contemporary Christian denominations. Celebrations of ourselves and of our material possessions have become integrated into many Christian assemblys. Outsiders accuse Chriatians of being judgemental hypocrites. Regrettably, many purported Christians really are hypocrites.

Christians, as were their Hebraic precursors, are commanded to be a godly people who think and behave according to biblical principles in all areas of their lives; thoughts, words, and deeds. A Christian’s possessions and attire should be sufficient but not showy. The New Testament asserts the human body is the new temple of the Holy Spirit. This temple requires proper maintenance; exercise, rest, sunlight, water, as well the most healthful diet obtainable.. 

The 11th chapter of Leviticus instructed the Hebrews what animal foods they could or could not eat not eat. Most Christian denominations regard these rules as no longer in effect, but the list of prohibited animals consists of scavengers that concentrate toxins in their flesh. Intoxicating beverages (toxic by definition), tobacco (a proven killer), and the irresponsible use of drugs and narcotics are injurious to the body, so Christians ideally abstain from these harmful substances. The New Testament (the letters of Paul. especially) advises believers to engage in activities that serve to align our thoughts and bodies with the discipline of Christ, who desires our wholesomeness, joy, and goodness. Christian renunciation of sin and vice is easier when the Christian keeps the secular world at arm’s length, insofar as this may be possible. 

Biblical prophecy states that Christ will return to raise sleeping believers to life again and to rescue living believers from an earth that is about to be destroyed. Regeneration in the wake of a personal encounter with Jesus and a commitment to obey His commandments before time ends motivates Christians to perform as many good works as time may permit. For non-Christians, it is hard to undersrand the dedication and fervor of a perfected Christian. True believers have experienced a personal encounter with Jesus Christ.  Billions of words have been written about the topic of Christianity by commentators both inside and outside of the faith, but Christianity (like every other belief system) defies analysis. Either you believe or you do not.