September 29, 2013
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What Does it Mean?
It seems the word “Christian” means many different things to people. I always assumed it meant one who follows Christ, or "Christ one." One who had literally given their life to Christ. But, from what I have observed of the lives of many who call themselves Christians, this may not be so.
I feel with having Christ as my example for living, the requirements for following Him are huge. To love like He loves will take me forever to master. To forgive like He forgives is another tough one. To live my life learning His gentle authority and to rejoice in His love even through trials are also things I am working on.
But I have met those who call themselves Christians who, by that term only mean they are not Muslim or Jewish. They do not desire in any way to be a follower of Christ. To them, the word Christian seems to be more of a cultural label.
I have also met Christians who are just not very nice people. I have met foul mouthed Christians, Christians who are racist, bitter and spiteful. I have met Christians who gossip and cheat. It is disturbing — because I do not want to be or do any of those things, yet we have the same “label.”
You know what I want? I want a relationship with Jesus Christ. I want to love Him more than anything or anybody. I want to be like Him. I want to please Him. I want to believe the Bible and live the truth of it daily. There are some hard things written in there, but they are good and right.
(Gal. 2:20 NLT) My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Basically, I feel that when you become a Christian, you give your life to God. When you give something away, it isn’t yours anymore, right? So... the life you live as a believer and follower of Jesus is lived through HIM. He calls the shots. You belong to Him. It is not all about you anymore. It is all about HIM. I don’t get to have pity parties. I don’t get to be offended or make excuses. I don’t get to spend time and money anyway I want. (It isn’t really even my money anymore!) Every day I must choose HIS way, because I am His. Because I want to. I need to. HE is my daily bread. He is enough for me.
I don’t want to play church. I don’t want religion. I don’t want to live by a set of rules or formulas. I want a daily, vital, exciting, loving, living-on-the-edge relationship with my Savior. I am not perfect at it, but that is what I want, and I will spend the rest of my life pursuing it.
What does the word Christian mean to you?
Comments (12)
Good Morning, Pastor Mae.
More pastors are discussing this issue as I see it. The churches we attend almost assume you are going to respect Christ by truly following him, they question the legitimacy of some one who calls themselves Christians and show no change in behavior.
I was talking to my wife lately about something I noticed in the writings of Paul--especially Corinthians. I think any pastor today looking at a Corinthian church would question their faith. However, Paul not once (in my opinion, lol) said they were not Christians or had lost their salvation. He corrected them and told them how to live properly and it took a long time.
What we seem to see is today is not carnal Christians like in Corinthians, but cultural Christians who never had a personal encounter with Jesus Christ.
Blessings,
frank
Amen to your paragraph: I don’t want to play church. I don’t want religion. I don’t want to live by a set of rules or formulas. I want a daily, vital, exciting, loving, living-on-the-edge relationship with my Savior. I am not perfect at it, but that is what I want, and I will spend the rest of my life pursuing it.
Hi Mae... everything you said.
Hope you are doing well.
Blessings,
Lynn
what is the next right thing to do?
I agree with you--it's a relationship--one where I want what Abba wants--It's a growing, loving relationship--not a set of rules and regulations. A relationship where I choose to follow and obey and grow.
I think too often we believe that if we say to the right lingo. Or, prescribe to the appropriate Christian lingo. That we somehow miraculously believe we are Christians. However, it is by the fruit that you will be known. Even unbelievers know what basic good person is. Who do we sometimes think we are fooling.
Not the Lord obviously.
I have good Christian friends, who Seems to believe if they just stick to the right doctrinal camp your lifestyle doesn't always have to line up. Just stick with the right christian church or preference and your miraculously, supernaturally protected. Hogwash.
Lifestyle. discipline. and christlike love according to 1 Corinthians 13. That in my opinion seems to encapsulate it all for me. I don'care if your a doctrinal genius. You can be a weasal at the heart. Lord, examine our hearts and see if there be any wicked ways in me. Wash me with your Word and cleanse me and make me whole again. That is my prayer. I want to be more like Jesus.
Yes! So many think if they go to church they are Christians. Someone said just because a mouse is in the cookie jar does not make him a cookie!
Sorry for my grammar errors on the comments earlier. I am trying to write from my cell. LOL. Grant me grace.
You're right. By their fruits we will know if they follow Jesus or not. He can change personalities. I want to be faithful in letting Him make me more like Jesus every day.
I love this its what being a christian means to me. I love what Kevin Green said" going to church doesn't make you a christian anymore than going to McDonalds makes you a hamburger " so true !
and sitting in the garage does not make you a car either! To me Christians are people who believe Jesus is the son of god and he died for our sins so that we could live eternally in Heaven. I'm afraid that so many of us don't hold up our end of the agreement, I'm not sure I want to spend eternity with a lot of the Christians I know.
I think a Christian is one who wants to be a good kind and loving child of God, someone who searches for the light in the darkness of everyday life, someone who brings joy to those who suffer. Some days I am a better Christian than other days. I need to work on that.