What does it mean when you call yourself a “Christian”? Most define being a “Christian” to literally mean being a follower of Jesus Christ. The Bible passage in Acts 11:26 says, “and the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch” (emphasis added). Being a disciple is more than being a student; a disciple embraces a teacher’s ways as their ways. Early believers were called Christians because they believed Jesus’ teachings, they accepted Jesus’ death and resurrection as the payment for sin, and they emulated Jesus in the way they lived their lives. These things are still true today. Simply put, a Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ and His ways because – He is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” [John 14:6]
So how does anyone know for sure that you are a Christian? Some Christians wear cross jewelry or put symbols of a cross on their vehicles as an outward sign of their religious beliefs. People who attend Christian worship services on Sundays and Holy Days (Christmas and Easter) would also be considered followers of the Christian religion. But is there any other means to confirm someone is Christian? To the best of my knowledge, there is no medical or physical examination, medical lab test of your blood, body fluids or DNA that can reveal a specific trait, marker, or gene that only Christians have, and despite the latest medical advances of sonograms, CT Scans, X-Rays, or MRIs performed on all parts of your body, none would prove without a doubt that you are a Christian.
So from a scientific perspective, a person is not innately born a Christian and has no markers to establish their identity as a Christian. So what does it mean when someone calls themselves a “Christian”? To be a “Christian”, any person, regardless of their ethnicity, race, or gender, makes a conscious choice to turn away from sin (repentance), and by faith, believe that Jesus is the Son of God, who loves us, paid the price for our sins on Calvary’s cross, shed His blood and died, was buried, and was raised back to life on the third day. A Christian accepts Jesus Christ as his/her Lord and Savior. Believing in Jesus Christ is the key to being called a Christian.
Being a believer in Jesus is one aspect of being a Christian; but another key element is how we interact with people in our life’s journey. Putting your Christian beliefs into practice takes your Christian faith to the next level. As James said in James 2: 14-16, “faith without works is dead”. In other words, “I will show you my faith by my works.” Putting one’s faith into practice in today’s world is the litmus test for any Christian.
As a Christian, does your outward “self” and behaviors closely match with your inner “self” (soul/spirit)? Being a “Christian” is much more than just attending weekly worship services. As Jesus said, “they will know you are one of my disciples because of your love for one another.” “Love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul and strength; and your neighbor as yourself.” This is where the inner self and outward self synch up to bring true Christian values and supporting actions together to our daily lives.
Most of us have read the parable of “The Good Samaritan” in Luke 10: 25-37 where Jesus relates how a stranger was a victim of a malicious beating, robbery and was left for dead on the side of the road. The Jewish priest and a Levite both went out of their way along the route to avoid the victim. Only a Samaritan stopped and administered aid to the man. If you call yourself a Christian, which person would you most likely be in this scenario? Do you ever go out of your way to avoid other people in the neighborhood, workplace, or family gatherings? If someone not like you needed help, would you go to his or her aid, or ignore their requests and walk away?
No one wants to be labeled a “Christian In Name Only” (CINO). I would consider it a derogatory term hinting of being labeled a hypocrite in today’s society. Injustices, prejudice, cruelty, violence, sexual abuse, and hatred cannot be accepted, practiced, or tolerated by normal, rational people who believe in Jesus Christ and His teachings, and who desire to call themselves a “Christian”.
Would the CINO label be accurate if you practice many of the same rituals of the Christian religion, but when it came a time or situation for you to put your Christian values to the test by taking action, you walked away? The scenario doesn’t have to be like that in the parable, but if you were a witness to an act of injustice, prejudice, bullying, mental cruelty, violence, sexual abuse, or hatred being perpetrated on someone and turned a “blind eye” to the person’s suffering, isn’t that the same scenario Jesus was talking about to His disciples?
Sometimes it is very tough to stand up for your Christian values against the evils of this world. There are many instances described in the Bible of people taking a stand to support God’s ways against man’s ways, and God was with them supporting their efforts. It takes a courageous heart to take a brave action when the situation demands it. Moreover, I believe God wants us to do our best each day to bring the Christian values of fairness, compassion, acceptance, kindness, forgiveness, and love to bear in our everyday activities and social interactions. God is with you and will support you when you stand up for Jesus and His righteousness.
I pray that we can look inside ourselves, at our own heart and soul, and determine if we show our Christian faith by our Christian works. I pray that we will ask God to bless us with wisdom and guidance for putting our faith in Jesus into practice by performing good work on earth with a focus on His kingdom.
Live, Learn, Love and Grow in Jesus!!
Blessings,
Jerry
