This name so implies...

In the past few years since waking up from religiosity and living for Christ, I've noticed something that really makes me uncomfortable. The attitude is that of "Christians" who don't want to be called "Christians". The reason I even mention this is because of yet another person (on facebook) who refuses to acknowledge that they are a Christian, but a "Christ-follower", or a "believer of the the One True God", or some else along those lines.

First off, I understand and commend (maybe with naivety) their motive in this attitude. Some Americans have such a bad taste in their mouth from churches, preachers, family members, etc. and these followers of Christ want to bring the focus back on the Son of God, and hopefully are doing so! My concern is not with whether you who refuse to call yourselves "Christians" are going to Heaven or not--that's nonsense! We are not to argue about such small things.

If we quit calling ourselves Christians, I believe that we do need to think about what our motives are.

[I was raised (for the most part) in a fairly strict church most of my life (the more I go on, the more I believe that it was about as free as a church can be! haha), and consequently I speak from a mind that believes in certain doctrinal values. I am only twenty years old, and am still learning more each day about how I don't have it all together! With that said, I am writing from bouts of speculation and guess-work at times, so please don't be offended at me--this is what godly encouragement is!]

Wikipedia (absolutely one of my favorite sites of all time) says this about Christians:

A Christian is a religious follower who adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian

To me, that seems to be a very accurate description of who I am, and who you (if you are following Christ) are. Because of time constraints, I can't go fully into this, so I'll summarize.

1) I fully understand the mindset behind one calling himself "follower of Jesus"--the problem is with our willingness to abandon a "label" carried by millions before us because of the sins of hypocrites. It is a terrible thing that men have committed atrocities in the name of Christ. Yet I pray that we never fall into the idolatry of "free-spirited Christianity."

2) We haven't discovered anything new! That means you and I included! If you feel that you have a new revelation of following Christ, first "Examine yourself to see if you are still of the faith..." (2 Cor 13:5), then pray for wisdom (Jam 1:5), and also go to the spiritual authority in your life (Pastor, Youth leader, Deacon, etc.) on the matter. You cannot be rebellious toward authority and grow in Christ (Rom. 13:1)!

3) Let us not forsake the grace delivered to us by the cross and our devotion to Jesus Christ for a sinful lifestyle of pride and rebellion justified by (unbiblical) grace!

Let me know what you think...

• If you disagree then read Titus 1:13, 1 Timothy 5:1, and 1 Thessalonians 5:11 before your comment.
• If you agree then read 2 Corinthians 13:11 and 1 Thessalonians 4:18, 5:11 before you comment.