I am a Christian

Titles are impossibly inept in defining and describing what is really meant by the statement, I am. To say that I am a Christian is more than just putting a definition on my current status or commitment. It is more than an explanation of the beliefs and convictions to which I subscribe. To say I am a Christian is, to me, a summation of my very existence. It is what God intended me to be from the beginning of creation, what He destined me to become at His appointed time, what He wills for me to be until the end of my life that I may inherit the eternal things beyond this earthly life and existence. To say I am a Christian should in and of itself explain me and everything there is to know about me. Before I am anything else, I am a Christian.

But what does that mean?

"They were first called Christians at Antioch," the Bible tells us. It was originally a term of derision, of bias and prejudice and hatred, an epithet uttered against those who were different. It was applied to those who followed the teachings and imitated the lifestyle of the one called Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. And it was taken up proudly as a banner proclaiming to the world who they were and what they were about. These were the disciples of the Christ, the anointed one, the lamb of God who died and rose again to take away the sins of the world and save for all eternity those who believe in Him for salvation. Yes, I am a Christian.

I am a disciple of Him. I am a student of Him. I am a follower of Him. I read His word to know what He said and did, to learn what He expects of me, and what He has promised. I pray to Him and I a converse with Him, knowing that He hears me because His Word says that He does, but also knowing that He talks back because I have experienced it for myself. The Lord Jesus Christ still communes and communicates with those who are His. I try to live my life as He would have me live it, thought I will be the first to admit that I do not always measure up completely to the fullness of His stature and standard. There are times that I fall short of His glory, but when I do I know that I am falling on His grace.

Ultimately, as a Christian I want to be like Him, just like Him. I want to look like Him, and walk like Him. I want to talk like Him and touch people like He touched them. In His Word He promised His disciples that if they lived in Him and became like Him, they would do as He had done and greater things also. I strive to live in Him and to become like Him, so that I can do as He did.