Christian or Follower?

What does it mean to be a Christian? I looked up the definition of the word “be” which can also be written as am, are, was, is, etc. The definition is as follows “To belong to a specified class or group.”

So, to be a Christian is to basically join a club. If a person says they are a Christian, it is simply a statement of voluntary membership in THE club. Most people who call themselves Christians are just in the club and never achieve for Christ. They simply meet the requirements to achieve a certain status and that’s all they ever do.

I worry greatly about those people. They have no conviction and they take no action oriented change. For many its the same manure, but different smell.

Quite a few times in my life that I have looked at various people and said to myself, “If that’s what a christian is… then I don’t wanna be one.”

I’m not saying I don’t want to love and serve Christ, I just don’t wanna be associated with those people. The word Christian is can be a very negative word in our society.  Many surveys have shown that non-believers say that Jesus is nice and loving, but Christians are mean and nasty.

I don’t want to be associated with mean and nasty. I want to be a follower of Jesus.

When I look up the word “follower” I find these definitions:

• 1. a person or thing that follows.
• 2. a person who follows another in regard to his or her ideas or belief; disciple or adherent.
• 3. a person who imitates, copies, or takes as a model or ideal:
• 4. an attendant, servant, or retainer.

I want to be a copier of Jesus. I don’t want to be in some club where I can brag to people that I am in it. I solely want to live and serve Christ. Many Christians believe that because they go to church on Sunday, have been baptized, and tithe that they are good Christians.

Good club members yes, but good Christians…. good followers of Christ… maybe. To follow Christ means you give up your life and devote it to growing the kingdom of God. Its more than fulfilling requirements or paying dues. It is sacrifice.

I haven’t seen much Christian sacrifice in all my years of ministry, because sacrifice is hard. The definition of sacrifice I like is this: the surrender or destruction of something prized or desirable for the sake of something considered as having a higher or more pressing claim.

Christianity is sacrifice.  It is the surrender of yourself for the glory of the Kingdom of God.

What have you sacrificed lately? Have you ever really sacrificed for Jesus? Have you surrendered everything to God?