What do you think being a christian means?

To me, it’s someone who truly seeks after the God from the Holy Bible. Not someone who is perfect but who honestly trys their best every day to commit themselves to God’s laws and moral principles. I also don’t think that just because you’ve been “saved/born again” means you are a christian. It’s a lifestyle.

I say I’m a christian but I don’t always do my best. I think “I’m a hypocrite!” but is that just part of our nature. We try to live by a set of standards and when we fail, we judge ourselves when really we’re just humans with faults; Or am I justifying my own shortcomings?

A group of “christians” on a street corner preach damnation. In my opinion they are following tradition and not God. The bible is about love and they preach as if God hates everyone. Does that mean they aren’t a christian? Does it make them less of a christian? i.e. Is there a finite meaning to the word christian? Is it all based on perspective?

I’ve struggled with this concept for a long time.

The reason I ask? There are a lot of people who say they’re christians when nothing about them resembles a hint of what I consider a christian. Because of those people, I am considered a hateful, close-minded hypocrite when I tell someone what faith I practice; I hate discrimination just as much as the next person.