My friend Ben has written an insightful blog position on why he struggles to “label” himself a Christian. I feel his angst. After seeing some of the craziness that is out there in regards to “Christian”preachers, I find myself somewhere between tears and a baseball bat. God has given us a precious gift in His Holy Word, and the blatant distortions that seem to be plastered on youtube just reinforce the public opinion that Christians are all raving lunatics. I don’t blame Ben for his struggle.
However, I have come to some realizations about this…
I would like to say to all who read this that I am a Christian. I acknowledge the baggage that comes with that statement. I acknowledge that many people have done grievous damage to the term. I acknowledge that the nominal Christianity that has been embraced here in North America and in Europe has reinforced the hypocritical image that Christianity has been branded with. I acknowledge that by calling myself a Christian, it makes it difficult to work with one of the largest constituencies in the area in which I serve due to numerous and horrible injustices and abuses suffered at the hands of those who claimed to be “Christians”. I acknowledge all these things and yet, I still refuse to back down from the “label” that I cling to.
I am a Christian. I bear the name of Christ. I count that a high privilege and honor.
I would not change my last name for anything. I am proud of my heritage, and my family. Are we perfect? Nope, not even close. Have their been times I’ve drug the Armbruster name through the mud? Yup. Not proud of those times, but they’ve happened. They’ll happen again no doubt. We will all do things that will bring dishonor to our family name, some in larger ways than others, but we still are who we are. That will never change.
So, I’ll say it again: I am a Christian. I believe in Jesus Christ, the only Son of God the Father who is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit. I believe that the only way to heaven is through a relationship with Jesus, and accepting the free gift of salvation that He bought at the highest price of His death on the cross of Calvary. I believe that Jesus rose again from the dead three days later, and now sits at the right hand of the throne of God. I believe that He is coming back again!
And that makes me a Christian. And I am humbled to know that Jesus gave His life for me, and has given me the honor of bearing His Name. May I never forget the cost that my “label” was bought with.
Amen
Not to belabor the point with you Doug, I see some validity in what you’re saying, but Christ did live and die and come back to life for the “Christian” label. He didn’t give what he did a name at all. “Christian” is just a label, not a faith. I believe carrying the name of Christ is very noble, and I do it as well, I’m just not sure that the “Christian” label is the most effective way to carry the name of Christ. I think it has been hijacked by people who don’t really bear the name of Christ, just the “Christian” label.
Sorry, just re-read that and I meant to say “Christ didn’t live and die and come back to life for the Christian label.” Not the other way around like I had the first time.