I'm sure many of you have seen the Facebook news that Christina Grimmie was shot on the 11 June 2016, after her concert. I had never heard of Christina until yesterday. She was a American singer, who openly shared her faith in Christ. After reading about what had happened, I listened to her performance of 'In Christ Alone' on youtube. It was so beautiful - her voice is incredible - I recommend you have a listen too.
Linked to the article about her death, was another article that was written by Christina herself, titled, "Why Do You Call Yourself a Christian?" It really struck a chord with me and I wanted to share it here, so others could read it too (and so I can remind myself of it from time to time when I flick through my blog). The article challenged me. It was a little uncomfortable to read at times. It reminded me of my failures. It also reminded me to take my faith more seriously, to actively follow Christ each day and to be aware of 'lip-service' behaviour. And those reminders are good. May God continue to renew me each day and give me a heart of service, for we do not do these things in our own strength but in the strength given to us. What a blessing it is that we can be called Christians. Grace upon grace upon grace!
I challenge you to take the time to read this article. Read it with an open mind and an open heart. And ask yourself the same question - why do I call myself a Christian?
Why Do You Call Yourself a
Christian?
written by Christina Grimmie, 18 March 2015
In
the western world, especially American civilization, when asking for a person’s
religious standing, the most common response you will encounter is simply “I’m
a Christian.” Most people subtly just think to themselves “Oh, okay good. I was
worried for second.” But as I have traveled to Israel recently, fervently
prayed and studied Scripture, and examined the culture around me, I have found
that when someone says “I’m a Christian,” I should be more worried for their
soul than if they said “I’m an atheist.”
Before
you stone me to death with your subconscious judgment, let me explain. If you
will, come explore with me what it should look like when a person claims
Christianity. Come with me, and let’s take a look at the most overused word in
the English language. What is this “Christian” stuff all about anyway?
1)
The Person, Not the Rules
First
things first, where did the word “Christian” even originate? The first known
documentation of this word was in the early church, and it was a name that was
given to the disciples because of how outspoken they were about their faith. It
literally means “follower of Christ.” Oh, how far have we strayed from this! I
would hardly think that most of us that claim to be Christians would be easily
identified by those outside the faith. In America, we have forgotten what it
means to literally be “Followers of Christ.”
Notice
that Christianity is the only world religion that centers around a relationship
rather than a set of rules. While other religions say “do this” or “do that” or
“pray this prayer” or “sacrifice this” to ultimately find the truth and the
light, Jesus says “I AM the truth and the light.” While the numerous world
religions rely on a set of guidelines to take them into eternal happiness,
Christians rely on a Person. We are saved by believing and knowing Jesus.
2)
Natural Obedience
Jesus
is the only one that can save us. He is the only one that has taken our
penalty. He is the bridge that allows us to be restored in Spirit with God. But
notice, the word “follow” is a verb. Jesus was not merely calling us to accept
a set of beliefs when He says “Follow Me.” The apostles that were called
Christians (Followers of Christ) were not given that name because they had a
private faith in their heart about the truth of Christ. We must understand that
if we really have a relationship with this Savior, then we will do what He has
commanded us. I cannot fathom someone that truly knows Jesus, yet does not
desire to obey all that He has commanded us. But frankly, we see millions and millions
of these figures in America. And it is scary. Very scary.
A
quick look at the synoptic gospels of the New Testament, and we find that Jesus
was a very radical character. He reversed all kinds of cultural trends and
flipped modern day religion on its head. One thing that is clear, however, is
that He was careful to outline the things that should be important to anyone
who would be His disciple. He commands His followers to give to the poor
sacrificially, to care for the needy and the orphans and the widows. He says
that we are to leave everything behind to follow Him. He says we are to
practice righteousness. And most of all, He says we are to make disciples of
all nations. Now let’s not forget, Christianity is about a relationship, not a
list of things to do. But when you truly love someone, you tend to do what they
say. Maybe it’s just me, but multitudes of people, many that I know personally,
that call themselves followers of Christ have no interest in taking heed to His
commands. This can only mean that these people are not truly following Christ.
Maybe they see Jesus as a get-out-of –hell-free card, maybe they are afraid of
leaving everything to follow Christ, and maybe they are scared of full
surrender. Whatever the case, it saddens me to see scores of people supposedly
clinging to the same faith that Jesus taught, yet completely compartmentalizing
it and giving it no reign in their lives.
3)
Un-American Christianity
Everywhere
I turn in my country, Christians are shaping their faith to fit into their
cultural preferences. Jesus has become an instrument of self-help instead of
the all-powerful Savior of the world who deserves total surrender and
adoration. Lip service is plenty, life service is few. Western churches have
now even started to promote the “prosperity gospel”, a false notion that if you
have strong faith in God and do what He says, you will have material blessings.
This theory is, in fact, almost the exact opposite of what we find in the New
Testament church.
I am
not immune. I have recently uncovered areas in my life that I had refused to
submit to the Will of God, and have found myself guilty of a somewhat casual
association with Jesus. I have come to understand that “lukewarm Christians”
don’t exist. You are either in or out. You are either on board, or you don’t
come near the boat. Please, reader, I beg of you, don’t conform to the
lethargic lifestyles of many western churches! And DO NOT take my word for it,
go pick up the Scriptures. Read the gospels objectively, with no cultural bias
or preconceived notions. You might be surprised to find that Jesus is calling
us to much more than church attendance.
Conclusion
People
may take this the wrong way. Honestly I hope this message does not come across
the wrong way, but then again I hope it does. I hope this radical call to
following Christ offends people. That is exactly what it is supposed to do.
With that said, I am not saying that every church in America is evil. I know of
many churches that faithfully pursue truth and obedience no matter the cost.
But there are also those that need to heed this message, and change. We live in
an age where we come away from experiences inspired, but never really affect
change. The time is now.
On a
final note, the people that may say “This message doesn’t apply to me, I’m on
the right track,” are the very people whose lives I fear for. NEVER become
comfortable. We need to be awoken to the magnitude of the gospel every day.
Where do we start? Let’s do what Jesus says. Even if we lose our lives, there
is nothing more important that following Jesus with everything that we are. If
you have read this, God is pursuing you. My fervent prayer is that we all may
deeply know Jesus and know what he demands when He says “Follow Me.” May our
eyes be opened to know exactly what it means when we say “I am a Christian.”
Christina Grimmie.
The world lost an amazing talent when heaven gained a new one.
