I’m not sure we know what being a “Christian” means anymore. The term is used to describe music, entertainment, television and news media. Some people are labeled “Christian” when they do not identify with one of the other religions of the world. The virtues of “Christian” counseling can help you achieve a better marriage, eliminate addictions, find hope for mental illness, and have a happy home. We have been told what a good “Christian” should do: keep away from sin, be a faithful church attender, and show people love and kindness. But in reality, none of these things deserve “Christian” label.

For many in the church today, we have an idea of what it means to act like a Christian. I call this being “Christian-ish”. When the need arises, when we are inspired to turn over a new leaf, or when the occasion calls for it – we know how to put on our mask and do the right thing. Many have lived this way for years and have come to the innate belief that this “Christian-ish” lifestyle is what being a good Christian is all about.

However, the term Christian means “little Christ”. Therefore, a Christian in the truest sense is someone who emulates and represents Jesus Christ as revealed in God’s Word. It requires us to have complete devotion, painful self-sacrifice, undying zeal, and desire to use our time wisely as we are constantly aware of the limited time we have to make an impact on others. Acts 11:26 tells us that “the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” Note that the disciples at the church in Antioch WERE CALLED Christians by other people. They didn’t use this label for themselves as a badge of honor. This was a term that other people put on them because of their radical beliefs and undying devotion to Jesus Christ. It was a way in which the people in their culture identified them as different from “normal” people. In the same way, others should recognize something about us that sets us apart from the crowd and clearly identifies us with Jesus Christ. They should call us Christians!

Revelation 3:15-19 gives an account of an entire church that was “Christian-ish” in Laodicea. They were neither cold nor hot in living their lives for Christ. I’m not sure that if the Laodicean Christians were at the church in Antioch they would have been given the label of “Christians”. They were living like the rest of the world. They weren’t on fire to do the Lord’s will. They only sought after Christ in their time of need and they were prone to say, “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing” (v. 17). Because they were just trying to live the Christian life on their own terms and in their own way, they were blind to their true spiritual condition. Jesus said to them, thou “knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked”. But He also offered a cure for their “Christian-ish” lifestyle as found in verse 19 – “be zealous therefore, and repent”.

Don’t dabble around with your Christianity. You were bought with a price. Live your life in such a way that those around you know that you are not your own master anymore. The blessings of being found in Christ are many, but the sacrifices are real as well. Jesus commands us as His disciples to take up our cross daily, just as He did in a literal way for us. Be filled with zeal, sacrifice, and true servanthood to Jesus Christ in all things. Only then will those around you begin to see you and label you for who you really are – a Christian!