I recently saw a news article about one group of christians picketing another church group. Supposedly they were picketing because they felt the church group, who allowed gays and women who had abortions into their assembly, was being soft on sin.
I can only assume that the picketers thought the gays and the abortion people were to big of sinners to be in with the religious folk.
Seems the church assembly was being more Christ-like to me, but the whole situation made me feel a little ashamed to be called a christian. In fact, I think it is a good idea to give up being called a christian. It is just another man-made religion, and I feel that I am done with religion. Rather than being called a christian, I think it makes more sense to say I am a follower of Christ. Jesus didn’t start christianity and he didn’t come to start any kind of religion.
Being a Christ follower is a daily, 24/7 lifestyle, not something to be done once a week in a building. It isn’t following a doctrine, or set of rules and regulations.
As a Christ follower, we accept all people and we love all people, like Jesus did when he walked this earth.
This doesn’t mean we agree with everyone. It doesn’t mean people can live anyway they want and have fellowship with the Father. But once they come to God, the spirit comes to live within them and he will guide them in their daily lives and actions. It is not our job to condemn others. Jesus’ command under the New Covenant is for us to love God and love others.
Like the picketers and church group mentioned above, a lot of christians today spend more time fighting and arguing amongst themselves while the world watches and laughs.
As followers of Christ, we need to keep in mind that we, the Church, are the body of Christ in our world. We may be the only “Jesus” many people see. We should keep our focus on Christ as our all in all, and forsake our personal feelings. In our lives, Christ should increase and we should decrease.
This post was a Guest Post at New Covenant Grace
You can view it at http://www.newcovenantgrace.com/christian-or-christ-follower/
Done with Religion 
thank you ‘itisfinished’. I appreciate you taking the time to read my post and making a reply.
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I understand, none of us are going to agree on everything. That’s the good part about loving our brothers and sisters. We can respect one another’s views, disagree, but still accept one another in love. I certainly don’t say I’m right, just my opinion at this time. We are all constantly growing in Christ and views change as more truth is understood. Thanks again for reading.
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Hi again,
thanks for reading and replying to my Comment. I really do appreciate it., even though I may not fully agree , in all points.
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Thanks for your reply. I appreciate you reading my article and taking the time to comment. Yes, the word christian can be misused and misunderstood these days. If we mean followers of Christ, or children of God, it is a good thing. If it is meant in the general terms many think of today, as a religion, it isn’t such a good word. I know you and I mean it in the term as a follower of Christ. Also I tend to disagree that God named us christians. I think it was people who called the disciples christians because they were like “little Christ’s”, which is a good thing in that sense. But God actually calls us friends, as described in John 15:15. For me, I would rather not be confused with being just part of a religion, but known as a friend of God, so I tend to get away from using the word christian. But then again, that’s just me.
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,I totally agree – that Christianity is not a religion but a relationship with Jesus.However, we were called Christians in the book of Acts-“…the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11:26). The term ‘Christian’ has both good and bad, positive and negative connotations.
The point is- what was God’s definition of this word? Follower of Christ.
It doesn’t matter what the world or other Christians have made of this word. It’s important to stick to God’s terminology as given in Scripture.He had a reason for naming us Christians..
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Hello donewithreligion, so am I, thanks!!
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[…] https://donewithreligion.wordpress.com/2013/08/08/christian-or-christ-follower/ […]
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“The best way to balance good theology is to recognize where it belongs. More specifically, where it belongs for you. If it’s pushing you towards a greater love for God AND for people, then good. If it’s not, then there’s a deeper issue going in your heart where information is somehow more important to you than revelation and transformation. ”
i am following a bread crumb trail and don’t know were I found that quote above but thought it might fit nicely here
Curtis
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Thank you Curtis, that was very good. I agree with you, can’t figure out why ‘churches’ can’t express the true freedom we have through grace. Maybe they think they have to keep people under their authority to keep them coming back. If true grace was taught, I think a lot more people would accept the love of God. We all get tired of the rules and standards, and being told we are such terrible people. God loves us and did everything for us to have a relationship and fellowship with him. I like the way you mentioned, ‘in Christ’.
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“The main thing is that Christ lives within us, and it is His life that is to show through. We can’t do anything to earn or increase His love. We need to understand more the grace and freedom we have in Him, and how to rest in Him without all the doing on our part. I don’t think this is something that is heard much from the traditional ‘church’ pulpits these days.”
I agree don’t like christian and don’t like follower , mere religion always put’s God out there at a distance somewhere. When God in the flesh Jesus came and for the JOY set before him endured the cross. God would rather go to the cross then be without us. Why churchanity can not express who we are in Christ and freedom we have in union with the fellowship of the beloved but constantly tries to talk us out of that Union by sin management. i like to keep it a simple as possible and refer to myself as ” in Christ”
Curtis
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Thank you. I appreciate your kind comment.
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Hi Michael, thanks for your comment.
Let me first say, I agree with what you are saying. That is the same way I feel, although I can see the reasons for your questions based on some of the wording in the article.
Yes, follower in the sense you mentioned isn’t the best term, but the point I wanted to make was that the term Christian seems to make people think of a religion, rather than a relationship. It is His life in us, not a doctrine people tend to follow.
Our life in Christ definitely isn’t anything based on what we can do. Rules and law are not at all a way of life for us believers, and certainly didn’t want to sound like that was the case.
The main thing is that Christ lives within us, and it is His life that is to show through. We can’t do anything to earn or increase His love. We need to understand more the grace and freedom we have in Him, and how to rest in Him without all the doing on our part. I don’t think this is something that is heard much from the traditional ‘church’ pulpits these days.
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I agree with the premise. But, I struggle with another label and being called a follower. I used to teach this same argument about being a follower and I was so proud of my “deepness”. But, I was wrong. Terribly wrong! Following implies separation. Following also implies action, and pursuit, on our part which could lead to the rules and judgement that the author is trying to discourage. Even the author acknowledges that Christ is now in us. 1 John 2:26-27.
If He is in us – who are we following? I offer that the only thing left to follow would be the external rules and traditions of man. Colossians 2:8.
Even the last sentence makes me uncomfortable. Saying that “Christ should increase” comes across as strange in this age of Grace. What in the world could WE ever do to increase Christ? Sounds kinda churchy. I heard too many times about how God wants to do this, or that, but can’t until WE get out of the way so He can.
Like I said – the premise is good; but still a little too much about expectations and actions on my part. I understand what the author wants to say; but for me, it is still too much about what we do and not about what He has already done. I’m finally beginning to understand that God needs nothing from me and simply wants to love me. It gets a little cloudy when actions and labels are applied. I’m still learning, and along the way I’m trying to discard the gimmicks and bumper sticker theology that got in My way.
Blessings and Peace to all,
Michael W. Arnold
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I love this! Thank you!!
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