What is a Christian?

That is such a loaded question isn't it?  I mean, I guess, the most simple definition of that would be somebody who is a follower of Christ.  That they believe in God and that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and then rose again three days later.  I would say that is the most stripped down version one could possibly offer of what a Christian is.  But then, why do Christians look so different than each other?  I believe that there are many different ways that one can worship and be a Christ follower... and that not everybody's ways of doing so will be the same.

For instance, I love my sister dearly, but I know that we have very different views on what it means to be a Christian, and how we lives our lives.  There is a lot of history and stuff between the two of us, and I'm not going to get into it, but it is always an ongoing discussion between the two of us.  We both profess to love Jesus and want to learn more about Him and walk in His ways... but we do it so differently... so who is right?  Is there a right way?

Every now and again I get these emails from my sister about such broad topics and what they think it means to be a Christian.  I'm not a huge fan, not gonna lie.  I don't like the way they present things, (they being the people who write the articles that she sends me) and sometimes there are things I flat out disagree with.  Its hard to have these discussions with her because I know her heart is in the right place and she is wanting to 'look out for me' in that older sister type of way, but there are times that it's just offensive.  I think I'm a little to liberal for her... but, it is also good when I get them because it makes me reassess what I think, why I think them, and if there is room for change.  There is always room for growth, I'm not to ignorant to think that...

I guess this is where I stand currently.  My ideas about Christianity, about people who profess to love Jesus and show His ways to others would be by His love and grace.  Yes, there are hard truths in the bible that people will debate, but wasn't the whole basis and idea of Jesus love and forgiveness?  I mean, God KNEW the world would turn their backs on Him, and yet, here He sends His SON to atone for everybody.  That means the people who deny Him, the people who hate Him, and then the people who don't even know about Him.

And of course there are different walks along ones journey of faith.  And I believe that one's ability to see where the other person is and meet them there is the greatest tool.  From there you can push them without scaring them off, and show them how much God loves them.

It can be such a complex topic... full of lots of emotion, history and baggage... but I guess I've come to the conclusion that it doesn't have to be.

"....That the greatest of these is love."  1 Corin. 13:13  (yup, I'm that person that quoted the bible to prove my point)

There is a verse of a song I heard that has been stuck in my head and I thought I would share:

Here is Love by Matt Redman

"Grace and Love, like mighty rivers
Poured incessant from above
And Heaven's peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love."

JVG