What Does It Mean To Be a Christian?

That is an important question.

According to Acts 11:

¹⁹ Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. ²⁰ Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus.²¹ The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

²² News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. ²³ When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. ²⁴ He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

²⁵ Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, ²⁶ and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

As I read this, I was convicted.  I was convicted for a few reasons:

1. These men were willing to give their lives for Jesus

2. These men were willing to leave everything for Jesus

3. These men boldly talked about Jesus wherever they went.

This is what I think it means to be a Christian: live for Christ, give for Christ, and talk about Christ.  The disciples were called Christians not because they went to Church on Sunday, they were called Christian because they made Jesus the center of their beings.  Everything they did was “Christ centered”.  Their day to day activities, locations, conversations — everything was motivated by Jesus.

“Is that me?”  If I am honest, it is not.  My life is consumed with what is best for me, the kids, the wife, even “the church”; but many times, I am not focused on what is best for Jesus.  Yet, if I am to follow in the footsteps of those who were originally called Christians, I should “do as they did”.  OK, I have a long way to go, but, I think I am ready to really be a Christian now.  It has taken some years to get this perspective; now, it is time to surrender everything to Jesus.  Are you ready to go with me?  I hope so.  Put that in your “thinker” and think on it.  Until next time, grace and peace!