Into the Fire

You know how different thoughts zing around in your mind once the trigger of a few words has been pulled? Well . . . I’ve been thinking. Again. I know: oh no.

Just because some people have smushed (I love that non-word), tainted, embarrassed, or blemished the “name” of Christian doesn’t mean we just abandon it like the fault lies in the name itself.

I have to chuckle sometimes when we try to improve upon what exists, insisting it needs revamping because suddenly it’s not good enough. Christians have been insulted since their inception. And to nobly refer to ourselves as “Christ followers” or any other religious label instead of Christians seems humorous to me. Are you any less of a Christ follower and more of a Christian when you find yourself in sin—thinking evil thoughts about that punk who cut you off in traffic, when your thoughts swirl unexpectedly into unseemly imaginings when that hot girl or guy walks by, when you think your brother or sister in Christ is acting like a full-on jerk, or when you snap at your child’s innocent question because you’re just plain tired of anything to do with questions?

People besmirch titles all the time. So if a criminal happens to have the same name as you, do you change your name? Maybe you do, I don’t know. Anyone can call themselves anything—Christian, believer, Christ follower—but regardless of their choice, it doesn’t mean they will do it justice. It’s not about what we call ourselves, it’s about how we conduct ourselves from the inside out. So many Christians are judged and judge others by the appearances of what they say and do. It won’t matter if misinformation or mis-judgment occurs. There are often very few opportunities to correct wrongs. God will know the truth, and sometimes He’s the only One who will besides the individual who faces judgment from peers. So in the end, whatever you decide to call yourself doesn’t really matter: it’s what you do and what you say and how you deliver it that will mark you one way or another. And even when you do it all “right”, you will face judgment from those who are motivated by the minions of evil who hate and fear Jesus Christ.

I am a follower of Christ, but Christian suffices for me, or born again believer, or whatever. I am in Christ because He saved me from my sins. He did not eliminate my sins, He covered them with His sinless Blood. I am glad, relieved, and content to be called a Christian and may my lifestyle and heart be demonstrated with Jesus in the forefront. I fail and I struggle, but God loves me in spite of me. I don’t need to change my name to do a better job of representing Him. I need to follow the Holy Spirit’s promptings and directions to dissuade those who hate and accuse me because of His Name. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.