A common way of describing a believer in Jesus Christ today is to say, “He loves Jesus.” But what does that mean? I remember hearing the respected and popular theologian, teacher, and writer R.C. Sproul relating a story about being confronted by a young person doing street evangelism. Without knowing who Sproul was, the zealous and courageous budding evangelist began his cold-turkey efforts with this lead question: “Are you saved?” One must admire his ardor and passion for reaching others with the gospel message. But Sproul’s response sounded caustic, not to mention surprising. I would have thought he would be pleased to see a young person devoted to obeying the Lord’s command, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15). But this man of God replied, “Saved from what?” He was questioning the young man’s understanding of such a lead in question. The question may have been an effective discussion starter back in the day, but is being “saved” the primary or even an adequate or appropriate identifier for true faith?

Even the word “believers,” which is popularly synonymous with being “saved,” can be inadequate, for “the demons also believe” (James 2:19). Of course, qualifications to the statement make it clear that the identifier means more than a belief that God exists but implies a trusting faith. The term “disciple,” as a single identifier, has its limitations, for when Jesus took His teaching to a deeper level, “many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore” (John 6:66).

Using simply “Christian” is not always helpful, as many would say, “Well, I am not a pagan, I go to a church (sometimes), and I live in a Christian country, so therefore I’m a Christian.” Back in the day, we distinguished the issue by self-identifying as “born-again” Christians, but that term has fallen on the hazard of its own popularity and public scorn.

There are many other identifying phrases: believer, redeemed, reconciled, chosen, elect, forgiven, renewed, evangelical, confessing Christian, of the light, converted, and the list goes on. These all mean different things to different people, and all are true or contain part of the truth that sets genuine believers apart. So, where does “Do you love Jesus” fit in? It asks the question of who you are, not what you are. Unlike some of the above identifiers, this one (being one who loves Jesus) deals with what you do, not what God has done, with your love for God, not His love for you.

But let’s go with the description and follow it through. “I love Jesus.” Certainly, this language stands out in our secular world that is more comfortable with talking about “religion” than talking about intimacy with the historical person of Jesus Christ. That’s a plus. The resurrection is implied in this; that’s an extra plus. And it creates separation from older identifiers that, while once useful, trendy, and attention-getting, have gathered burdensome social stigmas. In time, loving Jesus as a primary moniker for true believers will fall into similar overuse. But, for now, it has much to commend it.

Like all identifiers, it is a euphemism for true believers. As such, it conveys a truth: genuine believers love God. This is not to be mistaken, though, with a person who is OK with talking about Jesus and goes to church. Nor is it to be confused with any thinking that suggests that to become a true believer, one must love Jesus. That would fall into the age-old works-salvation question: how much love is required of me before I love Jesus enough to be saved, redeemed, etc.? Any identifier that negates the biblical truth and words of Scripture is highly suspect.

As for whether one loves Jesus, it is still a good question—but not so much for identifying a true believer. The early church identified believers not so much by the words used but by the action of baptism. And the defining action that identifies a person as a true believer is his obedience. As Jesus said …

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)

“He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” (John 14:21)

“If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.” (John 14:23)

“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)

If we take Jesus’ assessment at face value, I have a significant dilemma when I identify as someone who “loves Jesus.” It means I am telling everyone I obey Jesus’ teaching, all of it! In His final command to the apostles, Jesus made obedience to His teaching integral to the spread of the Christian movement. We are to make disciples by baptizing people (the first step of obedience to Jesus) and teaching them to obey all that Jesus Christ commanded:

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:18–20)

This is not to teach a works-oriented or merit-based salvation, for we can do nothing to earn anything from God (Eph. 2:8-9). But it gives the bigger picture of God’s purpose in our lives, to love because He is love. We are free to use different individual identifiers at different times for different aspects of who we are in Christ. My point is, don’t get stuck on just one ID!