What makes you a Christian is whether or not you really are in

The words of Walter Martin — “What makes you a Christian is whether or not you really are in accord with biblical theology and whether you know Jesus Christ as your Saviour” — shine like a beacon in a time when faith is too often mistaken for appearance, ritual, or tradition. In this single sentence lies the essence of Christian identity: that it is not the name one bears, nor the church one attends, but the living relationship between the soul and the truth of Scripture, the encounter with the Saviour Himself, that defines the believer. Martin speaks not as a mere theologian, but as a guardian of authenticity, calling mankind back to the root of faith, which is not imitation, but transformation.

In the style of the ancients, we might say: faith without knowledge is like a lamp without oil — it may shine for a moment, but soon it fades into darkness. To be “in accord with biblical theology” is to live in harmony with the eternal truths revealed through the Word of God. It means more than intellectual understanding; it means alignment of heart, mind, and action with divine wisdom. And to “know Jesus Christ as your Saviour” is not to know of Him, but to know Him — to walk with Him, to feel His presence within the chambers of one’s conscience, and to surrender one’s will to His love. For Christianity is not a philosophy to be studied from afar; it is a covenant to be lived in the very marrow of the soul.

The origin of this quote lies in the ministry of Walter Martin, a defender of Christian orthodoxy in the 20th century, known as the founder of the Christian Research Institute. He lived during an age when countless new interpretations of the faith arose — when theology was being diluted, and cultural imitation often replaced conviction. Martin spoke these words to remind believers that Christianity cannot be defined by emotion alone, nor by the customs of men, but by truth as revealed in the Bible and by a personal relationship with Christ. He warned against a faith that seeks comfort rather than conviction, a religion that bows to human trends instead of divine authority.

Throughout history, those who have truly known the heart of this teaching have changed the course of the world. Consider Martin Luther, who, after years of struggling with guilt and ritual, found peace not through penance but through the living words of Scripture: “The just shall live by faith.” In that revelation, he rediscovered what Walter Martin later proclaimed — that Christianity is not about what we do to reach God, but what God has done to reach us through Jesus Christ. From that moment, Luther’s life became a river of courage, flowing from the source of divine grace. He stood against empires and councils, declaring that salvation comes through faith, not through ceremony. His awakening ignited the Reformation, a movement born from the same truth Martin defended centuries later.

To know Jesus as Saviour, as Martin emphasizes, is to experience not a doctrine alone, but deliverance — to feel the chains of sin fall, to see the dawn of mercy rise within the heart. Many call themselves Christian, yet live as strangers to this miracle. True faith is not inherited, nor can it be performed by imitation. It is the inward surrender that transforms pride into humility, fear into faith, and despair into purpose. The Christian who walks in this truth carries the quiet fire of conviction — a light the world cannot extinguish.

Martin’s warning about the danger of false assurance is not meant to condemn, but to awaken. He understood that in an age of noise and distraction, many mistake the outer form of religion for its living spirit. He reminds us that the Christian life is not a banner to wave, but a cross to carry. To “be in accord with biblical theology” is to study the Scriptures not as mere words, but as the breath of God — and to measure our hearts by their wisdom. It is to stand firm when the world mocks, to act with compassion when others harden, and to seek truth even when it is inconvenient.

Let this be the teaching drawn from his words: faith must be both true and personal. Knowledge of the Bible must lead to obedience, and knowledge of Christ must lead to transformation. It is not enough to call upon His name; one must follow in His steps. Each day, seek to align your life with the teachings of Scripture — not only in belief, but in love, forgiveness, and humility. Speak truth even when silence is easier. Choose mercy over judgment, and light over darkness. For this is what it means to truly know the Saviour — to reflect His character in your own.

And so, remember the heart of Walter Martin’s wisdom: Christianity is not a title, but a testimony. It is not what the lips proclaim, but what the heart embodies. The true Christian is known not by his church pew, but by his Christ-shaped life. To live in accord with the Word, and to know the One who is the Word made flesh — that is the essence of faith, the root of peace, and the power that redeems the world.