Becoming a Disciple - Week 5, Day 2

Don't Call Me a Christian! (I Follow Jesus)

The word “Christian” has severely lost its meaning in our culture today. Some people honestly think they are Christians when, in reality, they might not be. A few years ago, I was sitting in the airport waiting for my plane when I looked across the terminal and saw an elderly gentleman reading the Bible. I walked over and asked him if he was a Christian. He looked up from his book and said, “Son, nobody seems to understand what that word means nowadays. I am a follower of Jesus! Sit down, boy, and let me tell you what I mean from the Word. Let’s look at what the book says.” 

He said, “In Acts, people were willing to die for what they believed in! When they met in underground churches, they were risking their very lives for the cause of Christ. Imagine, son, how empty churches in the USA would be if we were being killed for worshipping God.” He continued, “I’ve come to find that a Christian is…

1. Someone who is known by Jesus. It’s a relationship. A Christian talks to Jesus and listens to Jesus. I mean, if you don’t know Jesus personally and He doesn’t know you personally, you are not a Christian.

Not only that, but a Christian is:

2. Someone who is known by Satan! Do you ever wonder what’s going on in hell? Hell is not a cuss word but a destination. The thief (Satan) comes only to steal, kill, and destroy! Does Satan sweat when you pray? Does he see you as a threat to his kingdom?

A Christian is:

3. Someone who lives according to the Bible. The sad struggle of Christians today is that Christians, and I use that term loosely, do in the dark what non-Christians do in the light! Most people who think they are Christians think the Bible is a book of dos and don’ts. The Bible isn’t that at all. The Bible is a book about who you are and what God wants you to become. People who don’t even know what the Bible says call themselves Christians! Is that crazy, or what? That’s like calling me a mechanic when I don’t know the first thing about fixing a car. Is the Bible your ultimate authority!?

Finally, a Christian is:

4. A changed person! It’s not about changing for a couple of days. It’s about changing for a lifetime. Following Jesus means I now go His direction, do what He wants me to do, talk like Jesus, act like Jesus. After all, the word Christian means Christ-like. So, no, I don’t call myself a Christian nowadays. It’s too cloudy for this world. I follow Jesus. Straight and to the point. Does that answer your question?”

I thanked the man for his time and insight and told him that he had indeed answered my question. He was right. Our country doesn’t understand the true meaning of the word Christian, because too many of us call ourselves that and yet we aren’t Christ-like. We aren’t changed, Satan’s not sweating, and Jesus doesn’t know us personally. What about you? Do you truly know Christ?

TIME OUT

1. What was the problem with the guys who got whipped up in Acts 19:13-16?

2. According to John 2:23-25, why wouldn’t Jesus entrust Himself to the people’s care?

3. What evidence should there be in a person who claims to be a Christian according to 2 Corinthians 5:17?

4. In James 2:14-26, what is the evidence of a person who truly puts their faith in Jesus Christ? What changes have occurred in your life since you asked Jesus to take control of it?