You Call Yourself A Christian But What Do Others Call You?

Is it just me or is the term Christian prefixed with a lot of adjectives these days? In the last few months I have been told that certain people are or claim to be a:

• Good Christian
• Born Again Christian
• Biblical Christian
• Spiritual Christian

And well, it got me thinking about Christ and how he sought earthly identification.  Apparently it often came with the phrase “Who do you say that I am?” (Luke 9:20, Matthew 27:11)  What seemed important to Jesus was not what he said about himself but rather the effect he was having on those around him which enabled them to see him for who he really was.

If you think about it Jesus even waited till his disciples saw him as “teacher” and “Lord”  before really acknowledging it. (John 13:13)

Do you know what I have done for you?  You call me Teacher and Lord and rightly so because I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet

The point being is that what we call ourselves in an appeal to spirituality or authority is not worth a fraction of how others view us.

Coming back to the topic, it seems whether you call ourselves a Christian (or some adjectively enhanced version of Christian) means little as compared to how outsiders, particularly those outside the faith, see you.

My friend Kevin Burgess says it well:

In Bible times, people did not self identify as “Christian.” Rather, “Little Christ” was a label applied by the unbelieving world to those whose lives had been dramatically impacted by Jesus and whose attitudes and behavior had become a reflection of His. How interesting it is then, that a recognizing of Christ in us is no longer a requirement for one to take on the label of Christian. Today we have the luxury of self-identifying as “Christian” without any regard for what others actually observe in us. I’m thinking that perhaps it’s time we reject the hollow practice of self labeling, which has rendered it nearly meaningless, and once again allow those who happen to observe Christ in our lives to apply it to us.  

Tribal Identity or Compassion?

It’s interesting that when Jesus confronted the Pharisees in John 8, their appeal to being God’s Children rested on that they were Abraham’s children (tribal identity) rather than through the love they demonstrate to those around them (compassion).

These days I frequently hear people appeal to their tribal identity in Christ rather than to the compassion they show to the world around them.  What does it matter if you are a Christian, a “good” Christian, a “spiritual” Christian, a “Biblical” Christian, or “Born – Again” Christian if the people around just see you as “Crazy” Christian…or worse!

In the Sermon on the Mount  Jesus suggests people will be called Children of God not by appeals to their tribal identity as Christians nor by any professions of belief but by their actions as peacemakers!

Jesus goes on in John 13:

Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

It’s not so much what you call yourself but by the fruit you bear it’s about what others will see you as!

And if you you are bearing fruit in keeping with Christ’s Way of compassion THEN others will know you are his followers!

Peace,

Steve