Just a question that I have been pondering for sometime. I have been really thinking about the difference between being a "Christian" and being a "Christ follower". The thing I am struggling with is this idea that a "Christian" is a legalistic person who promotes reading the Bible, following all the rules, only listens to Gospel music, etc, while a "Christ follower" is a more modern person, who doesn't get caught up with the "rules", who might wear torn jeans to church, claps during songs, doesn't read the Bible everyday, and may even let out a cuss word once in a while. My question is this...Are we as "Christ followers" justifying our behaviors by covering ourselves under the blanket of "being sinners", therefore we can get away with more? Or are "Christ followers" really understanding more clearly the message of Jesus vs. Being "Christian"?
It seems to me that there is this battle in the Church between "Christians" and "Christ followers". I tend to think that each group needs to have a good mix of each other. What do y'all think.
Just a question.
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Just a question that I have been pondering for sometime. I have been really thinking about the difference between being a "Christian...
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This is my first time. I have recently been inspired to create a blog by a couple of my friends. It was appealing to me because they have us...
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Hummm....good question Brian....isn't it possible to be a combination of both rather than be one or the other??? Not sure of the answer but certainly something to give thought to. Hope others will comment on this.
Mom Chez
I think as Christians we are constantly seeking to re-vamp our persona to something more acceptable and "stylish." Non-Christians may see us as legalistic, but we (Christians) know and fully understand that those "rules" are not ropes that bind but cords that free us from the things that so easily entagle. Gosh, and you are soo right; we look for excuses or reasons to fit it rather than to be set apart---hey I just opened my own page! rachelnoreika.blogspot.com!!! xoxox
Brian, write to Rachel and show her how vamp her blogspot so everyone can comment even as anonymous... I know you did yours, gotta go to church, nursery night, I will write later oxoxoxomomma
Brian, I guess the more education you get the more you think, I have never thought of it as two ways of living or believing...I guess I am just naive about alot of things, I don't question very many things in the church and the way people act, all I know is that God knows and sees the heart, he knows the why people act a certain way and why we worship a certain way.. That is why the world is so diverse, but we are sinners under the blanket of protection of Jesus Christ, we stumble and get up and keep going, so long as we never give up striving to be more like Jesus. We will never arrive at that place but we still keep on keeping on. This is getting way too deep, I just got home from nursery at evening church and it was a long evening. so Bri, what was the question????? love mom
oh and another thing Brian, I consider myself a Christian, I listen to lots of music, especially country music, as well as christian music, and some rock n roll, I do not read my Bible every day, I know I should, but I don't, I fall short every day in alot of ways, but I am still a follower, or I should say a seeker, I hope I never give up my desire to be a better person and a better christian, I don't want to look at other peoples walk with God, but if I see it, then that is good...xoxoxoxo now I am thinking too much, gotta go to nite, nite....
Brian, all I know is that these last few months when my little family has been lost in pain, loneliness and disillutionment its been those whom I would have least expected to reach out to me and they were the "Christ followers" you spoke of. I had strangers calling Sam from all parts of the country worried to death about him and yet my own elder who promised to call him never did. The real nitty gritty of life weeds out those who know what pain is and aren't afraid to walk shoulder to shoulder through it with you. These who called Sam and me yes, used the "F" word a few times and their lifestyle may be what some look on as questionalble, but man, they sure know how to love. Others are frozen in their latest religious book or quiet time to even know what to do for someone in pain. Man, its been an interesting journey and my eyes have been opened as to how so many play the game. I have thought so much about the times I missed an opportunity to love someone...
miss you guys.
it is all in the attitude and i am glad to see Texas has effected y'all
I just stumbled on your blog and wanted to share my feelings on the matter. If it MUST be a choice of being a "Christian" or a "Christ Follower," I would be a Christ Follower over a Christian any day. I find that many Christians are too caught up in those "rules" you mention.
Also, every denomination and "non-denomination" has its own set of "rules." They all swear they are right, and you have to do it their way. They all use the same book as the basis for their rules, it is just how one reads or interprets.
I grew up in a very different Christian "denomination" from my husband. The group my husband grew up in says I am going to hell and that I am not a Christian, all of which seems pretty judgmental as we are all human, which leaves us all unworthy of the Kingdom of Heaven.
However, my husband and I have followed paths that led us to each other and we have a beautiful marriage and beautiful children. We do not actually attend any church at this time, mainly because of the "rules." No denomination gets it all right if you wish to be legalistic about it. We lead good lives, love our fellow man, help out our neighbors, and raise our children to be kind, loving people.
I would rather follow the example of Jesus laid out in the Gospels, than the rules laid out by Paul in his many Letters. Jesus is the Christ, not Paul.
Thank you all for your comments. I appreciate everyone of them. I am only trying to figure out for myself where I am in terms of my walk with Christ. I interact with young people everyday, and I want to make sure that I am presenting Christ in a real/authentic manner. I am also not saying that the term "Christian" puts you in a box of being legalistic, rather I use the term to describe what other people I have encountered consider "Christians" to be.
oh man, brian, just read this. i absolutely don't know. i just want to follow jesus.
Brian, another thing our Pastor was saying today, Jesus tells us to be followers(and doers)of him. When we follow his teachings (our instructions) in the Bible, he clearly tells us in Romans chpt. 6 to put everything else aside and follow him, when we do that we are acting on our faith as a Christian, our faith in Jesus... and therefore we do need to be both.... xoxoxlove mom
Brian,
I like how Mom Chez put it. I also agree with Mom that God knows and sees the heart. Either way we are all Gods children. I think if we live life within a spiritual conscious contact with God praying only for his will and the strength to carry that out he will smile on us. Strive for spiritual progress and not spiritual perfection. Keep it simple! Love You T.
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