Christian
I am a Christian, but in our world, that label means many different things to many different people. Some people when they hear that label begin to see you as a narrow-minded bigot. Some see you as being affiliated with a particular political party and a narrow social agenda. Some hear intolerance. Some hear self-righteousness. Some see us as people who have old-fashioned ideas that no longer belong at the table today. There are a lot of different images of Christians today, but most of those that are well-known are not positive. Mostly in the news you see images of Christians being unkind.
Rarely do people think of Jesus when they hear the word "Christian."
But that's why our movement was first called Christian—because the word meant "like Christ" or "little Christs" ("Jesus-ian" is too awkward to say.) Actually, in the earliest days, our movement was simply called "The Way." Those who were part of it were known as "Followers of The Way." Well, that's a bit awkward to say and hard to put on a business card, so in Antioch, we were first called Christians (Acts 11:26). Little Christs. People who are like Jesus. Or should be.
Ghandi is famous for saying, "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” Those words, for me, echo down through history and remind me that the goal is not to subscribe to any certain political agenda or theological system created by humankind. The ideal is not found in any particular denomination or tradition. The goal of being a Christian is to be like Jesus. That's why he said, "Follow me," not "Follow something else."
I'm not ready to jettison the word "Christian," but if I had to choose, I would say I am more interested in being known as a follower of Jesus, one who is striving to be like him in everything I do and say. I want to invest my life in inviting those who are not yet following him to do so, through my words and my actions. I want my life to say to others, "Would you like to know Jesus? Would you like to see how he can change your life?" That is a calling worth giving my life to. And if I get accused of being a Christian, I want there to be enough evidence to convict me.
Rarely do people think of Jesus when they hear the word "Christian."
But that's why our movement was first called Christian—because the word meant "like Christ" or "little Christs" ("Jesus-ian" is too awkward to say.) Actually, in the earliest days, our movement was simply called "The Way." Those who were part of it were known as "Followers of The Way." Well, that's a bit awkward to say and hard to put on a business card, so in Antioch, we were first called Christians (Acts 11:26). Little Christs. People who are like Jesus. Or should be.
Ghandi is famous for saying, "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” Those words, for me, echo down through history and remind me that the goal is not to subscribe to any certain political agenda or theological system created by humankind. The ideal is not found in any particular denomination or tradition. The goal of being a Christian is to be like Jesus. That's why he said, "Follow me," not "Follow something else."
I'm not ready to jettison the word "Christian," but if I had to choose, I would say I am more interested in being known as a follower of Jesus, one who is striving to be like him in everything I do and say. I want to invest my life in inviting those who are not yet following him to do so, through my words and my actions. I want my life to say to others, "Would you like to know Jesus? Would you like to see how he can change your life?" That is a calling worth giving my life to. And if I get accused of being a Christian, I want there to be enough evidence to convict me.
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