Christianity can mean a couple different things, and it depends on what meaning we are using as to how I feel about it.
If, when talking about being a Christian, we mean we are following Christ, acting like Christ and living like Christ, I am all in for being a Christian.
Usually these days when being a Christian is mentioned, it’s more about the religion of Christianity. Just like Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Baha’i, Shinto, Taoism and a host of others, Christianity is a religion made up by men, and it is divided up into many various denominations. Contrary to popular belief, Jesus did not start the Christian religion.
Here in the United States we are so proud to say that America is a Christian nation. Unfortunately, I have to disagree with that idea. America is a country made up of many religions and beliefs. Fortunately in this country we are not forced to be a part of any religion or belief. We have many freedoms that are not found in other places, and I am thankful for that fact. We are free to choose what we want to believe, who we want to follow and we have the right to express that without fear of punishment.
Following Christ is not about a religion. I actually think it is better sometimes not to even use the word Christian because of all the religious thoughts and ideas it brings up. Religion is a man-made, organized system that divides more than anything. We separate into groups that meet in buildings on set days and at set times, saying we welcome anyone, yet only want those who feel the same way we do in beliefs and interpretations.
It bothers me to see so many who profess to be Christians, those who believe in God and Jesus and spreading His love to others, who argue and fight with those who think differently. We are supposed to be known for our love for others and love for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Still, it seems a lot of Christians are more interested in defending their personal views and thoughts, getting mad and arguing amongst themselves while those outside of faith in Christ are looking at them and wondering why they need to have Christ in their lives.
Now, talking about Christianity in the sense that we are following Christ, living like Him and treating others like Jesus treated people, this is an entirely different thing. As mentioned in Acts 11:26, the disciples were first called Christians by the people of Antioch, because they saw the disciples acting so much like Christ. To me, this is the true meaning of a Christian.
True Christianity is a community of people who act like Christ and let him love through them. It is a daily life-style and is not separated into normal living and religious living. It is not specifically following set doctrines, or following rules of do’s and don’ts. It is not meeting in a building once a week listening to one person talk, singing a few songs, shaking hands and going home. It is not a system of leaders who are on a higher level than others. It is daily life, following the leading of the Spirit, meeting with those we come in contact with along our daily routine, showing Christ’s love, eating together, laughing and crying together, accepting one another, talking and discussing our thoughts and views. Those who have gifts of leadership lead by example, lead as equals, and lead by a servant spirit to encourage and build up their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
As followers of Christ, we are to love others, accept others, and treat others with compassion, respect and love. We do not have to agree with everyone, just accept them. We can agree to disagree and love people just as they are. Everyone does not have to be just like us and they do not have to believe like us. They should be able to be themselves and we as Christ followers should be OK with it.
It’s time to stop being a Christian in the sense of religion, and focus on Jesus and let Him live through us. After all, we are the Temple of the Holy Spirit, we have the mind of Christ, God lives within us. There is no reason why we cannot love and accept others just like Christ loves and accepts everyone.
Done with Religion 
so refreshing, i love this whole article 🙂
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Children Do Not Use Labels!
Go the playground and watch and listen.
Watch as little ones approach others they know nothing about.
Are their first words – “What are you?”
Or do they look for things they can share – a toy, and activity, an interest, and then plunge right in?
So over time, their parents begin the process of programming them to discriminate, and for this they need what – LABELS.
Black, white, rich, poor, christian, american, republican, democrat,,,,
So by the time they reach college, they are no longer looking for things they can share, but things that discriminate and divide.
“Come to be as little children” – said a very wise man.
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Dear brother – What you are addressing is so important, this whole matter of labels. I am personally finished with labels. They are designed solely to divide, exclude and discriminate, as they are so front-loaded with meaning and value. So what if you are not a “christian”, or an “evangelical” or this or that. The first response from those that are, is that “you are not one of us”, so there is suspicion. division and fear.
What is our first response when we here someone is a Muslim or a Buddhist or a Catholic?
Be honest now.
It is that you are not like me, you are not in my group, I have to change that. I have to convert you, change your mind in some way.
We hate racial prejudice but accept religious prejudice freely and loosely all the time. THIS IS WRONG and very dangerous, and it is not the way of our Lord. He never once said to anyone, go and become a christian, change your name. He said “go and sin no more” if I am not mistaken.
Our way or now way is the direction of our heart.
Let us here and now stop labeling human beings, and start treating all as children of God, individuals with a story, a history, value and meaning.
We will never learn anything or truly share anything with anyone if we are trying to convert them to our label. Love is impossible with labels, as you will never go deeper than the label and all of its associated bigotry and meaning.
My brother, I am no longer a “christian”, it means nothing for me anymore, and I refuse to let it or any other label reduce other people to something less than they truly are.
Labels are a lazy, sheep-like way of making sense of all of the color and dynamism in this world. All is done. Once you discover that that man is a Muslim, there is nothing else to know. You will never know what is in his heart, never discover that he loves his family and works hard to support and provide for them, never know that the faith he holds is a sincere and deep one. You will never got to his him and share a meal with him.
In short, you will never, ever, ever be like the very one you profess to follow.
Consider how aggressively the various jewish groups tried to get Joshua to proclaim which groups he was in – pharisee, saducee, herodian, etc. So they could then exploit Him and use Him. This still goes on today.
“One can never approach God through theology, only by the Holy Spirit.”
Do you know who wrote that?
What would you say if I told you it was a Buddhist monk.
“Oh but, but…”
See how this works.
NO MORE LABELS!!!!
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