What does it mean to be a Christian?

What does it mean to be a Christian?

Several months ago, I asked my readers to suggest topics they’d like me to write about.  I got a lot of replies and I’ve written on several of them.  But one person’s submission really got me thinking ever since.  She asked me, "What does it mean for you, Pastor Favour, to be a Christian?"

Quite honestly, I’d always known the answer to that question.  But I wasn’t in any hurry to answer it because this was actually the first time anyone was putting that kind of question across to me.  So, I felt like I should take out enough time to think about it all over again and re-evaluate my faith and what it means to me.

This week, I’ll love to talk about my faith and what it all means to me.  I invite you to participate in this discussion around what it means to be a Christian.  Even if you do not consider yourself a Christian, I would still love to share your perspectives on this subject.  As always, all views are welcome.  This is a self-discovery blog for open hearts.  So don’t be shy to share your personal views and opinions.

I think it’s important to state from the onset that I cannot reconcile my Christian faith with the religion called Christianity.  So I’ve stopped trying. To be a Christian and to be a member of the religion called Christianity do not mean the same to me.  I do not believe that Christianity is my religion because I do not consider my Christian faith to be a religion.  Consequently, for me, to be a Christian does not mean to be a member of the religion called Christianity.

So this blog post is not about the religion called Christianity, but rather about what my personal faith in Jesus Christ means to me.

It’s intelligent submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ

First of all, to be a Christian for me means that in spite of the scepticism and so called secularism of the 21st century, there is an Almighty God who created the entire universe.  I think that the inability to recognize the reality of an Almighty God is the ultimate manifestation of foolishness and spiritual denseness.  It’s quite amusing to me when certain people equate spiritual blindness with intellectual sophistication. More on that later…

To be a Christian for me means a deep personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  I recognize Jesus Christ, not as a mere historical figure, or a great prophet.  I believe He is the first begotten Son of the Almighty God.  I have a personal relationship with Him as my elder brother, my personal saviour, and a whole lot of other relationships that I do not have the space here to share.  But  most importantly, I see Him as my Lord, the One to whom I submit in all areas of my life.

My personal faith in Jesus Christ makes me a Christian, and for me, it means intelligent submission to the person, principles, and power of Jesus Christ.

It’s a love affair!

To be a Christian for me means to be in love.  I’ve expressed this conviction ever since my very first days of consciously accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and personal Saviour.  I do not see my faith as a set of rules and regulations.  I do not see it as a collection of dogmas and doctrines.  I see it as a love affair!   As I boldly wrote in my Twitter Profile, I am passionately in love with Jesus Christ, and crazy about Him!

It’s freedom…

For me, to be a Christian means to think like Jesus Christ, to speak like Him, and to do like Him. 
Its the freedom to think my own thoughts, be my own self, and explore my wildest dreams.

Its the opportunity and empowerment to embrace and realize my divinity. 

Its the right to love who I desire without the fetters of human opinion. 

It is the privilege to believe in myself and my fellow men.

Yet the most important significance of my Christian faith is a rather selfish one…   It means that I have exchanged my life for another’s.  I’ll talk about this aspect tomorrow.

So, my dear, what does it mean, for you personally, to be a Christian?