Another Tough Question

We are currently working through the book “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan with our HS boys group and our College group. At the same time we have another group of women in our church also reading this book. Francis Chan does a marvelous job outlining how truly “Crazy” God’s love is for us, and questions if we love God as much as we should, or are we just lukewarm.

Moreover, in the very beginning of the book, a worship leader by the name of Chris Tomlin poses a very difficult question we must answer. In the book of Acts, chapter 11, at the end of verse 26 it says, “The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.” So that means that they were “called” Christians. They did not give themselves this title. Their lifestyle, and everything about them, is why they were named “Christians.”

If someone were to observe your lifestyle, read your facebook posts, myspace page, follow you on twitter, spend a day with you at work or school, or in the moments when you are by yourself, alone, no one around, would they call you a Christian?

I suppose to answer that question we must first decide what a Christian is. It is simply one who follows Christ, right? Well, yes. But what does that mean? Does it mean that you attend church occasionally, or even weekly, Sunday mornings? Attend a bible study sporadically? Have a fish on your car, wear a WWJD bracelet, and try not to swear?

I don’t think that cuts it...It means so much more than any of that!

It means that place God FIRST in your life. That He is the most important thing, and EVERYTHING else is secondary to Him. It means possibly changing who your friends are, and changing the things you do after work, at work or school. It might mean breaking up with someone who is forcing you to do or be something that does not bring God glory. It means placing your own needs and desires aside and seeking first to fulfill the needs of others. It means to serve others, joyfully, even when they do not deserve to be served, ESPECIALLY if they do not deserve to be served!! It means seeking accountability from those in your life whom you love and trust, and following through with that accountability. It means understanding that this life is impossible to live on your own, and you need a Savior to bridge the gap caused by sin, to reconcile you back to the one who formed you, and loved you from the very beginning!

It means understanding who Jesus is, how He lived His life, and following His lead...

I wonder how many of us, if we lived during the formation of Christianity, would be categorized in with the disciples. How many of us would have been called “Christians.” If you are squirming a bit while asking that question, I am too!