Get ready, we start off bluntly.
The term Christianity is not biblical. #period
However, the term 'Christian' is,
We need not to forget that Christianity is not so much a self-proclaimed title. It is more of a depiction of our lifestyle. The way in which we speak, act, react, ultimately live.
If we look at the Word of God (the Bible), It clearly stipulates that the first mention to the term 'Christian' was in Acts 11; 26. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. It was not disciples calling themselves this it was those who watched them and listened to them spread the gospel of Jesus.
When reading the book of Acts I tend to think, these 'watchers/listeners' must have thought the disciples to be somewhat crazy due the persecution they faced almost daily due to their faith in Jesus. (Some would peg this as crazy faith)
For a while, I have heard people say, "I'd rather not be called a Christian if this is what it means to be one." This could be said to a vary of circumstance. Some of us can experience more hurt in the church than in the world or it could be an equivalent thereof.
However, this is not the only reason why some would feel this way. Some of us are Christians on Sundays and Wednesdays only. Every other day they be wildin'.
Some of us are only Christian when the lights are on but when no one sees, we embrace the darkness.
They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good. Titus 1:16
All of these relates to a place that needs deliverance and each of this and many other instances like this need Jesus more than ever. Hence, why a community of true believers are so important to help lift and encourage one another.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25
With all this said, I had been wondering about my own journey. How for a long time deemed myself a Christian and when I truly came to accepting Lord Jesus as my only Lord & Saviour, I then only realized that I truly was not a Christian prior to this.
I was saying I was Christian for as long as I could remember. I drank whatever appealed to my tastebuds and this in the name of good times, I smoked to forget, I was explicitly sexual. I hated church. I even had a disliking toward church people. I disliked people in general. I was unforgiving toward my parents and my past as a whole. I hated my life. #tbh
...and here I was calling myself 'Christian'.
Sidenote: In some colored communities we would call a muslim person who drinks and smokes, a 'water-slams' - well in this case i was a 'water-Christian' (lol irony of this is funny, if you get it, good on you.)
Long story short, when I finally called out to the Lord from a dark and completely broken place. I admitted to how wrongly I have been living my life. I felt so much guilt and shame and so much agony. I felt as if I was just falling deeper into a blackhole and could not help myself out as I initially thought. I remember saying "Jesus, You died for my sins. Why in the world would you do that for me." I really just challenged Jesus to make Himself known to me. At this time, I was so far gone, I didn't know what to believe.
That day onward, my life has never been the same ever again. It took me 3 months later to completely do away with all toxicity in my life at the time, giving up the world is hard but is completely worth it. And once you truly do, you have no want to go back to what God has delivered you from.
So yes, once you actually & factually accept Jesus Christ as your Lord & Saviour. Only this way will be the route to the Father's heart. This & seeking His righteousness. This means parting ways with your old self and being made new in Christ. This also means to live like Jesus did. You are not perfect & will never be, but you have to be willing to live out His principles, His way, His truth.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
So, whether you want to be called a Christian or not. Thats okay. I would prefer to say I follow Jesus, the only Way that matters. And that is the definition of being a Christian.
What is important is not the label but the heart. The heart aimed at Jesus and the heart that occupies is Truth of Jesus Christ.
So, it's not about what is on top (the label) but what is inside!
In conclusion allow the Holy Spirit to guide in the ways of Jesus. Trusting your life to Him, in this you will find your true identity. That is to live for Him, in the unique way He has created you.
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
May this bless you.
Ps. You are a blessing.
I love you & Jesus loves you more!
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