My daughter, Dana, recently returned from Kosovo, a 5-year-old European country just above Greece, where the sentiment for America is strong. But what I found interesting, upon her return, was that she and her college team that ministered there to Muslim refugees, did not identify themselves as “Christians.” And it wasn’t because of possible persecution. It’s because the term “Christian” means nothing more than “American” to most people in the world.
“To be Christian, in their opinion, simply means to be ‘American,'” Dana told me. “We identified ourselves as followers of Christ and then they understood the difference.”
I was intrigued by that. To those outside our country (and perhaps many inside our country as well), the term “Christian” is merely a political or national identity, not a personal identity. I got to thinking how much of my personal identity is truly about following Christ, and how much of it is a label for my belief system or for the set of values I have chosen?
I also got to thinking…how might my daily life change if I was to call myself a “follower of Christ” in how I think, speak and live?
To daily be a follower of Christ, I would have to live as Christ lived and:
- Obey my Heavenly Father’s will over the will of any other person, including myself.
- Let love of God and love for others be the over-riding factor in every decision — or judgment — I make.
- Pick up my cross daily, deny myself and my reputation, and live solely for the glory and pleasure of God.
In My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers said, “The most wonderful secret of living a holy life does not lie in imitating Jesus, but in letting the perfect qualities of Jesus exhibit themselves in my human flesh. Sanctification (being set apart from this world) is “Christ in you…” (Colossians 1:27).”
Are you merely a Christian? Or are you a “follower of Christ” who is letting the qualities of Jesus manifest themselves through you?
Tell me, what does it look like to you — or in others you have seen — to be a “follower of Christ”?
Try everyday to be a follower of Christ. Sometimes don’t do well but I keep trying.
I hear you, Char. It is only His Spirit working through us that can make us like Him. Thanks for reading. : )
Wow!! That is thought provoking. Never thought how it looks outside of our country. There is a big difference between being a “Christian” and a Follower of Jesus. I want my life to reflect that I am a follower of Christ in my actions and not just words. When you pray that, He will answer. I, too, fail. Praying that God keeps me aware and ready to be instant in season, out of season.
The first time I saw you at my book table, you reflected the life of a Christ-follower, Alena. Full of joy and trust in your Heavenly Father, in spite of your circumstances. Your whole life thus far is a testimony of following Him in season and out and I can’t wait to share that in my next book. : )
Very true Alena! In a way sounds provoking but that is the real true what Strength soul says! May the Lord help us. I am happy that he promises that, we can do all things through him who strengthens us. It is not about us, but about him who called us according to his purpose. Lets not give up even when we fail. We learn our lesson and wake up and continue with the journey. God bless you. I am also encouraged!
Thank you for your comments, Rose. And, like you said, “surrendering day in and day out” is the key.
When I pray for the Holy Spirit to guide me, it works! Somehow self control, love and joy fill me from the Spirit. Even though it may have seemed hard to live that way in the beginning, now that I’ve felt the spirit through me in my daily routines and decision making, I don’t want to go back to the old way of relying solely on myself. I want to Trust in The Lord more and more each day! Than you, Lord!!!
Thanks for those comments, Andrea, and the reminder that we can’t rely solely on ourselves to live the Christ-like life.
Andrea i am happy to hear that from you. I am also enjoying the fellowship with Christ and now i do not depend on myself. He is now my source of all answers through the Holy Spirit and i really concur with you. God bless you as you continue serving and seeking God more!
Hi Cindi!
So interesting! Your daughter is lovely 🙂 I feel like I’m looking at a younger version of you, although I didn’t know you then. I always tell people “I follow Jesus” when asked about my spiritual side, because of the same sort of reason. The term “Christian”, I find, has a lot of different meanings amongst the general population. Each day, even before my feet hit the floor, I begin working on doing just that…”following Jesus” and being grateful that He has blest me with another day of life:-)
Chery: So good to hear from you. So glad you’re still reading. And thank you for the kind words. I like what you said about working on following Jesus as soon as your feet hit the floor each day. That’s something for all of us to keep in mind every morning. : )
Nice to read from you Strength Soul. I thank God that i am a Christian and to add on it i am a child of God. It has not been easy to be a follower of my Lord. Because i have had many struggles but even as i continue being molded and being made to be more like him, i have now understood i have to go on surrendering to him day in day out because there are so many idols in our life that Jesus deals with in our walk with him and that is why you will get saved but you will fall, wake up learn your lesson and you are purified and made pure as you go through the fire. All of us go through fires in different ways but in essence it is all meant to take us to our perfection which is Our Lord JESUS Christ! Thank you so much for your sharing. It was deep and those who walk in the Spirit and Truth felt and heard it loud and clear. God bless you!