Someone once said to me "Someone can't emulate Christ without being a Christian" Do you think that is true?

Kinda sorta.

By definition a Christian can be a follower of Christ and/or someone who has Christ-like attributes. There are many who act Christ-like but are not Christian by specific theology.

Well, there are two different issues.

One is accepting Jesus' sacrifice to get to Heaven, which is the basis of Christianity. The other is *emulating* Jesus, something that, unfortunately, most Christians do not do.

Addendum: Oh, and to your question.... no, that doesn't make sense. I am an atheist, but I try to emulate many of Jesus' teachings, along with the teachings of other wise people over the ages, such as Gandhi, Lennon, Carlin, etc.

it will be unfair from the rest of the world specially the remote islands which Christianity has not reach yet. you should know Christianity begins from your heart. and those people indented with good works and honest heart....even without knowing Christ is considered to be a Christian for me.

I looked up emulate and it said to strive to equal or excel. Thus it would be impossible to emulate Christ because the standard would be perfection. With the aid of the Holy Spirit, who is available only to Christians, we can begin to live the life of Jesus, but never to equal or exceed his righteousness.

Yes. Other people make superficial attempts to imitate him, but usually living in that headspace for long enough will make you want a lot more.

Besides, nobody can live a holy life in their own strength.

I have had troubles I had no chance of solving fall away like nothing when I began to follow God.

Yes, because only the Holy Spirit can empower us to emulate Jesus Christ and only true Christians are filled with the Holy Spirit.

to be Christian you do have to be christ like. but youdont have to be a christian to be christ like. i dont see how it would hurt by being christian if you r trying to be christ like but no i dont think you have to be Christan to emulate christ

No. Someone can display Christ-like attributes without believing that he came to save them from sin.

Yes that is true. To be a Christian you must be Christ-like. You have to think what would Jesus do?

No... how could that be true at all?

Also, he wasnt a Christian himself.