I am a Christian.

When people first learn this about me, some jump to immediate conclusions, criticizing me. I know the stereotypes that go along with being a Christian.

The term “Christian” was coined during the early years, by the people of Antioch. It is believed to mean “of or belonging to Christ.” However, today, it means a very different concept to many people.

Here is what I don’t mean when I say I’m a Christian…

I do not mean I am “religious” in any sort of way.

A lot of people associate the term with “religion.” My decision to follow Christ is not a religion. You see, religion is a man made construct. The way I see it, it is a list of things to do and structure to follow. Following Jesus is meant to be an intimate relationship with the Creator. Just as we spend time with the people we care about in our lives, ie, parents, siblings, friends, significant others, etc. so our relationship with Christ is meant to be the same, and that is where reading the Bible, going to church, and praying come into play. Not because the church tells us to, but because the only way to develop a deeper relationship is to invest in it.

I do not mean I think I am better than everyone else.

The truth is, the very reason I am a Christian is because I had to admit how broken I truly was (and still am). I had to admit I needed a savior because I couldn’t do it on my own (and still can’t). I mean, the very basis of Christianity is that none of us can do it on our own.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23.

Becoming a Christian, and I mean truly accepting Christ into your life, not using a label as a political agenda or to seem like you’re a good person, means accepting the fact that you are messed up. The good news of the Gospel, however, is that God loves us enough not to leave us stranded.

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

– Romans 5:8

I do not mean I hate the LGBTQIA community.

This is the one I get the most criticism for, as people automatically call me a “bigot” or believe I hate anyone who isn’t straight. Actually, two of my closest friends are members of the LGBTQIA community, and I don’t love them any less than my heterosexual friends. And neither does Jesus. The idea that being a Christian means you hate the LGBTQIA community is absolutely heartbreaking to me, because that is so far from Christ.

During Jesus’ time, adultery was a sin that people believed deserved stoning. Yet, Jesus forgave a woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11). The Bible also very clearly tells us that love is the most important attribute we can possess.

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”

–1 Corinthians 13:1-3

I know that while I can believe something is a sin and not condone it, I am just as much a sinner as the next person. And love covers more sins than hatred ever could (1 Peter 4:8).

I do not mean my life is perfect.

Rainbows, unicorns, wish-granting fairies, and endless sunshine don’t exist in my world. Growing up, I had this false ideal that the only people who were Christian were those who had everything, because when you constantly lose and every waking second hurts, it’s hard to believe in a good God.

The truth is our circumstances don’t change who God is, and the fact that He is good.

Also, God never promises us a perfect or even easy life. In fact, He promises the exact opposite.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

– John 16:33

My life is more messed up than you can possibly imagine. I struggle with depression and anxiety. My family is not picture perfect. I don’t have everything I want. But what I do have is Hope. Jesus promises us a hard life with trials. But He also promises us that He will be with us through it all.

The chorus from a song from my favorite band (shameless plug for Tenth Avenue North) reminds us of this promise:

But I have this hope
In the depth of my soul
In the flood or the fire
You're with me and You won't let go

- “I Have This Hope” by Tenth Avenue North

I do not mean I want to force my beliefs on you.

The decision to follow Christ is not something you can make someone do. Trust me, I grew up with Christianity forced on me, and it actually made me want less and less to do with God. The decision to follow Christ, is just that. A decision. It’s a choice you have to make of your own freewill. Do I want to talk to you about Jesus? Yes, of course! Just like someone who loves Beyonce wants to tell everyone about Beyonce. Or someone who loves the Seahawks wants to shout their love for the Seahawks. My love for Jesus is something I want to share. Because when you encounter Jesus in a very real way, and He flips your life upside down so that nothing is ever the same, trust me, you will want to share this with the world.

I DO mean I am an imperfect person with a perfect Savior that has radically changed my life by grace.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

- John 3:16

If you want to know more about being a Christian, you can go here:

https://www.cru.org/how-to-know-god/would-you-like...