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?
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Deborah Alinda (2)
I couldn’t agree with you more WD. I have always felt that when I follow Jesus Christ it let’s me be me. Or should I say more like God wants me to be. To be restricted by what is ‘politically correct’ sucks quite frankly.
I feel that when I am ‘politically correct’ it confines me and does not give me the ability to see the love that is out there. That if a person chooses to be what they want to be then that’s between them and Jesus Christ. I can only walk that path, honestly falling and picking myselft up at times, that God wants for me. I haven’t been disappointed yet. It fills me up, God’s love. I know that no matter what ‘humans’ do I ALWAYS have Jesus supporting me in all that I do.
I hope that this helps those whom also feel that religion is not what everyone needs but the personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He brings comfort, support, laughter and joy to my life. (Sometimes He also calls quite loudly as to the correct direction that I should be going. LOL LOL)
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I agree that being a Christian is not about the religion of Christianity. It is all about a personal relationship and submitting to the One who knows me through and through. I cannot imagine not having Jesus in my life. It is because of HIm that I live. It is because of Him that I am becoming more than I ever imagined … ever! I love that He always has my back, that He always knows and acts on what is best for me know matter what the circumstances. I love that He can turn what looks like something bad into gold in my life. We were all created with a divine purpose. For me, it is only through Him that my purpose can be revealed and developed in it’s true sense.
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Until a few short months ago I would have answered this question very differently. I believe many people view being a Christian as the practice of their religion and supporting their church.
What I have come to realize is that it is an intimate and loving relationship with the Lord that makes you a Christian. Your perspective on everything changes because of this intimate relationship with God. It re-defines how others perceive and relate to you. Through the beauty of this relationship you are truly transformed. I can not image life without it. The true beauty of this is that God wants this type of loving relationship with each and everyone of us. We just need to have an open heart to receive him.
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Boy, have I ever been waiting a long time for you to answer this question.
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@Danette…You know, that’s one of the most amazing things about Jesus Christ. He lets you be you, and in the end, He transforms you into His own very nature. Imagine how He changed the lives of men like Matthew, Zacheaus, and Mary Magdalene…not by imposing some religious rules on them, but by accepting them as they were and ultimately those men choose to become different. Keep moving with courage in the path you’ve chosen, and God bless you for your comments.
@Shileen….Your intimacy with Jesus Christ is obvious! This is what it’s all about, a love affair! Knowing that the Lord is with me has always filled me with superhuman confidence…makes me feel like I could do anything. Sure, girl, he has your back!
@Becky… I agree with you, Becky, that we “need to have an open heart to receive him.” I’m also glad you are now able to discern the difference between being a Christian and being member of the religion called Christianity. Jesus Christ is so beautiful and that’s one reason I love Him so much! Thanks for your comments.
@Maureen… Well, girl, you got this ball rolling! lol… You stay tuned because I’ll be spending all week answering your question!
) The summary of my answers to your question is this, being a Christian means being in love with Jesus Christ and expressing that love through selfless service to humanity. BTW, thanks for stirring up this series with that very thoughtful question. God bless you.
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I love the people in my life that make me think…and you are definitely one of those people! Well, it is true, my thoughts and opinions on this have changed quite a bit over the years. Growing up, I was the typical Catholic child, attending CCD and church, youth groups, going through all the rites of passage. I eventually became the hurt, angry, confused adult, who never really found my own way…and recently I have become the woman who knows and feels the Lord in my life, everyday. It has taken some time and some true growing, some true believing on my part. I have learned to live by faith, faith in the Lord. Now, rarely do moments pass that I do not think about God and all that He has done and continues to do in my life. I love feeling that God is with me… whether this is the correct answer or not, I do not know….but i feel that the absolute faith and belief in the Lord and the surrender of my life to Him, difficult as that may be at times….makes me a Christian. My cup is filled and continues to be filled everyday by the love of the Lord. I am blessed to finally be at “this place” in my life.
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@Tracy… Obviously, from your experience, life is a journey, and so is our personal faith. I’m glad you’ve evolved from seeing your faith merely in terms of strict adherence to a set of religious doctrines, to a loving personal relationship with the Lord. I’m also fascinated by what being a Christian means to you personally – ‘… absolute faith and belief in the Lord, and the surrender of my life to Him…”- fabulous, absolutely fabulous.
Thanks, Tracy, for your comments.
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Good testimony!
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….being a christian is a lifestyle of special, having been loved by God, redeemed into godliness. Wrapped up, Christ-like.
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