Well I have no problem with the word itself I suppose. The noun form is fine, too.
But the adjective I have a problem with.
Nowadays this word has so many uses.
It conjures up so many images, and memories and historical references.
So many negative connotations. So many rules, and judgements and fears...
Rob Bell talks about the use of this word as an adjective, a describing word. Sometimes it works, but at other times it's dangerous.
It puts pressure on us.
It reminds of all the rules and laws, the things we should avoid or stop doing or give up.
Today the word 'Christian' seems scary and is avoided at all costs (unless used as the focal point in most stand up comedy routines).
To talk about 'Christian' things seems foolish, to be a Christian is even worse.
Because it's no longer just a title, it's the description of a lifestyle - one associated with self-righteousness and hypocrisy.
And therefore those who are Christian, are embarrassed*, those who aren't are glad.
(*I know that's not strictly true.. I am proud to call myself a Christian, and there are many others who are too, in the true sense of the world..)
It shouldn't be like this.
Most of all, the word 'Christian' seems all too far removed from the concept of grace.
And that's not right.
We need grace.
Desperately.
Without grace, there is no meaning to the cross. Without grace Jesus was just a crazy guy who died a sinner's death for treason and blasphemy, and nothing more.
Without grace there wouldn't have even been a guy called Jesus. The Messiah. The One who Saves.
There would be no Christ. No one would be saved.
No Christ to save = No saved, to be called Christians.
No, we need grace you see.
Because we're dirty, and sinful and wretched. And we need to be saved. Remember? Like filthy, old rags before a pure and perfect God? Without grace we stay that way.
Without grace, we work for our salvation. We try at least.
And through this we have created a monster of a religion, full of rules, regulations, denominations and discrimination. A religion that focuses on works, on standards, on ability to not slip up or fall to the dark side or get things wrong.
Oh, how far we have fallen from our first love!
I don't know how it got like this. We've forgotten the fundamentals of our faith. We have forgotten what the Word tells us:
For God so loved the world, He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16)
And while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)
He himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness (1 Peter 2:24)
Just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life (Romans 6:4)
For it is by grace that we are saved, through faith (Ephesians 2:8)
Praise God!
Our actual religion is centred on the cross, which is God's way of displaying grace to us, the least deserving.
The World needs to hear about the love, grace and forgiveness that is offered to us by God, through Christ's sacrifice.
That's the only way they're saved. He's the only one that matters.
Instead of our lives preaching do's and don't's, our lives should reflect the fullness of Christ. We should be displaying love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
We are Christians because we are follower's of Christ, the One who saved us. And we are being made more like Him each day.
So lets start living like it.
They were first called 'Christians' at Antioch. (Acts 11:26)
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