Coach, Calvin Klein, Wrangler, Gap, Old Navy, Jones of
New York . What do all these have in
common? They are all labels. Isn’t it strange we strive to have the best
labels on the market? If your jeans are
not the latest trend and you walk out in a pair of Lee jeans, you might get
some funny looks. I proudly carry a
Kohl’s or Walmart purse. Hey, I hate
purses so why spend the bucks on a Coach bag?
Now, if you are in to trends and labels, I do mean to offend you in any
way. I am just using this to make a
point.
A label “describes or identifies something or someone.” Think about these labels “Methodist,”
“Baptist,” “Non-denomination,” “Full Gospel,” etc. What do these labels have in common? They identify
a religious group.
Of course, we also apply labels such as “selfish,”
“rich,” “poor,” “happy,” “joyful,” intelligent,” etc to people. We sometimes mislabel person before we really
get to know them. For example, a seemly
stand-offish person may be actually very shy and timid. Our children are faced with labels everyday
as well. Some children are labeled
“hyper” when really they have a ton of energy.
I personally was labeled as “slow” by a teacher in the fourth grade
because I was apparently struggling to read aloud. After two weeks with a very caring reading
assistant it was discovered that I was just shy. I read on a very high level. In fact I was reading on a high school
level.
What does the label “Christian” describe? A person committed to the Lord Jesus Christ
and who has given their heart to him.
They are loving, kind, gentle, self-controlled, etc. However, we need to remember one thing. Often a label is just a replica of the real
thing.
I am talking about people who claim to be “Christians”
but who have absolutely no clue that it means.
Oh, they say they believe in God but they also claim there are several
ways to be saved. I have had a people
tell me that “all religions (Christian, Islam, Buddism, etc) lead to
salvation?” No, just because you claim
to be a “Christian” doesn’t mean you are.
As people in the ministry we fight a daily battle of “getting
people lost before they can be saved.” People believe that because they are a good person, give to charities, and
treat all people with respect that they are “Christian.” Our society has actually taught this
philosophy. If you are good then you are
a Christian. This is a lie straight from
the pits of hell.
A Christian is a born-again believer in Jesus
Christ. They have been forgiven of their
sins, washed new and clean by the blood of Jesus. They are a new creation in Christ. We should live each day with the hope and joy
that Christ brings to our lives. We
should willing to live our lives in such a way that people will notice that
something is different about us. That is
the description of a Christian.
Just like I want the real chocolate and not some cheap
imitation, I want people to see the real Christ in me. I want my life to so ooze with Jesus that
people around me want to get a taste of the Living Water.
As our dear sister and fellow Tennessee ministers’ wife,
Rachel Lovinggood, said, “Christianity was never meant to be a label. It is a lifestyle.”
So today I ask you my sweet sisters: What style of Christianity are you wearing? Is it real or is it an imitation?
No comments:
Post a Comment