<i><b>If you can say that a "Christian" is anyone who is a "child of God" without any other defining terms, then these two men would have to be considered Christians. They believe in God and Christ, but they don't follow godly ways. Yet that's not right, is it? Isn't there more to being a Christian than just calling yourself a child of God?</i></b>
Hi, lambslove ~ There are so many people that call themselves Christians that may not be Christians (Matt. 20:16b). What people call themselves doesn't necessarily mean that's what they are. What really matters is that God knows who's saved and are His children. We are not to judge other's salvation, but we know them by their fruit.
Your're right. It's not a good thing to call oneself a Christian and not obey God's precepts and commandments. This would obviously be living in unrighteousness.
There is more to just calling oneself a Christian. Jesus said, "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me." (John 14:21; 14:22) The bottom line is whether one who calls himself a Christian accepts the Holy Bible as truth and accepts the Word as his authority. One's practice is living a God-centered, God fearing life. If not, it becomes man-centered and the Bible becomes just another "good book" of rules to pick and choose from.
As one Christian said, we need to Walk the Talk. And, as we know, the Bible gives us all the principles, precepts, and commandments we need in order to live a godly life.
It is understood that believers are to "work out" their faith rather than just to claim they are Christians. Hence, names are being submitted here rather than the definition of a Christian.
Grace and blessings,
Pat