A study done in Christianity Today says that 76% of our country calls themselves “Christian.” Billy Graham said that he believed only 20% of the church was actually saved. My problem is the word Christian and what it means and has come to mean in our society.
The word Christian has become something different. In the past when someone claimed to be a Christian you had a pretty good sense of what they meant. Today, I am not sure anymore. There is not a discernible difference in real “Christianity” and the rest of the world. In Malachi 1:11-12, the prophet says, “11“For from the rising of the sun even to its setting, My name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that is pure; for My name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD of hosts. 12“But you are profaning it, in that you say, ‘The table of the Lord is defiled, and as for its fruit, its food is to be despised.’”
This passage was spoken to the church. There was not a noticeable difference from the world to the church and God was displeased.
For that reason, I will no longer use the word Christian to refer to people. I am a “Christ Follower.” My goal is to follow after Christ with passion. Now, I know that just changing the name is not going to change our attitude, but it will serve as a reminder to me, that I am not to be like the world, but we are called out to be different than the world. Maybe, I am being overly dramatic, maybe I am just mixing words. I am however more focused on following Christ rather than this world. If this is what it takes to get you to that same place, look in the mirror and say, “I am a Christ-follower.” It has a little different tone to it, you might have to change some things about your life.
Be blessed,
craig
Simply Craig Yates 