All Scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible 1995 Ed. (NASB95) published by The Lockman Foundation

Worshipers of the Lord Jesus ought to be the most eager people to explain their faith, and testify to His work. Our profession of His salvation itself is the glorious good news of God’s redemption of people through His Son. As the famous hymn says, “this is my story; this is my song — praising my Savior all the day long!” And Peter the apostle instructs believers in 1 Peter 3 to be “always . . . ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you” (3:15). Further, Paul himself was “not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Ro. 1:15). Therefore, to refuse any opportunity to explain the gospel to someone when they ask you to explain your faith is a blatant denial of the greatness and worthiness of the gospel, and the work of Jesus.

Yet I’ve encountered several situations where upon meeting a professing believer who gives themselves a generic label, or provides a vague profession of faith, they refuse to provide you with a clear explanation of their beliefs because they reserve the right to “not have to prove myself to you”. In doing so, they’re betraying a prideful and selfish attitude that contradicts their very profession of the gospel, which is a message that ought to be articulated at every oppportunity.

I don’t think that this is an isolated incident. We westerners live in an ultra-individualistic society that glories in its perceived rights to answer to no one, and to only reveal the bare minimum about oneself to strangers, or to withhold all personal information whatsoever. This is especially true of spiritual and religious beliefs, since the West is infamous for avoiding bringing one’s convictions out into public discourse. Yet this should not be the attitude of believers in Jesus. We shouldn’t refuse to explain our convictions about Jesus because we feel offended that anyone would dare ask to understand exactly what we believe about Him. There are at least a few good reasons, besides what’s been said, for always complying with people’s requests for us to explain the Christian label we put on ourselves, or the vague or simplistic description of our faith that we provide. Let’s run through some of them, since many western believers seem to be ignorant of the importance of being willing to fully explain our professed faith in Jesus, or our Christian label.

Many Self-Described Believers Don’t Understand Their Profession

One of the most prevalent reasons that believers ought to be eager to clearly explain their profession of faith is that there is so much confusion and deception about what it means to believe the gospel, or believe in Jesus. So many professing Christians don’t understand the gospel that is taught in the New Testament, nor what it means to repent or believe in the Lord Jesus.

The same is true of Christian denominational and sectarian labels. Take the title, “Protestant,” for example. There are several contradictory versions of “protestants,” with different definitions, but all of which use that title. So if you call yourself a “protestant,” you need to be able to explain what you mean. There are a plethora of unbiblical, anti-Christian “protestant” denominations that still insist on hanging on to that undeserved title. Although the term “protestant” originally referred to evangelical groups that were protesting against the unbiblical teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, most “protestant” denominations today are protesting the basics of biblical Christian teaching.

Also, it should be obvious that even in our most widely used terms and words for believing the gospel and in Jesus, there is a wide range of often contradictory meanings intended. We live in a post-Christian western society that has corrupted, twisted, and redefined nearly every fundamental term in the Christian vocabulary. Most people simply use Christian and biblical words, and define them however it suits their personal opinions about spiritual matters. When we’re talking to people about the most important subjects in life and eternity, we ought to make sure our terms are defined, so we have understandable communciation. So please, if you simply say you’re an “evangelical,” or “believe the Bible,” or “believe in Jesus,” and someone asks you to explain what you mean, take the opportunity to do so for the benefit of both of you.

The Questioner May Be Able to Help You

Another good reason why you should be eager to specifically describe what kind of “Christian” you are is that the person who asks you to is likely to help you better understand and explain your profession if you do it. All those who believe in Jesus are growing in our understanding of, appreciation for, and ability to explain, our faith. The more you explain what it means to be a Christian of whatever Bible-believing stripe, the more you’ll improve in your ability, especially when it matters most. You never know when some situation will arise when you have a short thirty second window to testify to the Lord’s work, and at such times you’ll need to have a thorough and exact understanding of the essential concepts and words needed to convey the gospel. And if someone is asking you to do so during an extended period of time, then you should take the opportunity to practice explaining your faith to someone that may not be able to understand the words and terms you usually use. This requires you to break down the basics of the gospel in the simplest terms, and to express its truths in relatable and tangible ways to someone with a different intellectual perspective. This will refine and hone your own understanding of your faith, and improve your skill at thinking about, and teaching, the gospel of eternal salvation.

It’s the Loving Thing to Do

The last argument I want to leave with you for your obligation — under normal circumstances — to clearly express your faith and self-description as a Christian, is that’s it’s an act of love. Jesus Himself told us that one of our chief obligations is to “treat others the same way you want them to treat you”. So, if someone is asking you to define your faith in Jesus, wouldn’t you want them answer your request if you were making the same one? It’s simply the kind and generous thing to do, besides being a blessed privilege and honor.

And if it’s a believer who’s asking you to clearly explain your understanding of the gospel, and you think that they won’t benefit from hearing it again, you’re believing a lie. The more we believers are reminded of the gospel, the better. The gospel, and the basic truths about salvation, aren’t just the foundation of our lives, but the continual sustenance and fuel for our faith. The famous Christian author Jerry Bridges once popularized the phrase, “preach the gospel to yourself,” and this is something we need to do every day. Why? Because our minds are so forgetful, distracted, and prone to believe claims that contradict the truths of the gospel. Further, we can never fully appreciate and understand the saving work of God in the Lord Jesus. We will simply go on in increasing awareness, recognition, and comprehension, of the glories, wonders, and complexities of what God is doing for and to us through His Son and Spirit. Anytime we can lovingly remind a brother or sister of the gospel is a blessed honor and benefit to both of our souls.

In closing, if someone even seemingly confrontationally asks you to define what you mean by what you say about your Christian faith, please don’t fall into the trap of being offended. Humbly recognize that this is an opportunity for your testimony to the work of our Lord and Savior, and rejoice at the ability to recount the wondrous deeds of God in the life, death, resurrection, and return of Jesus the Messiah.