Sometimes, in order to fully comprehend what someone is attempting to communicate, you have to go into decipher mode. Lately, I have found myself doing this with more regularity whenever I hear the term “Christian.” My radar kicks into gear and my cognitive skills go on red alert. Is it being conveyed politically, sociologically, culturally, spiritually…?

It pains me to say that the term Christian has become so watered-down, over-used, and ambiguous that it is no longer relevant. It has been taken hostage. Regretfully, it no longer carries the meaning and power that it once did.

“…and in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.”
(Acts 11:26)

The first usage of this term was to identify those who were living the disciplines that Jesus taught. Today we find the complete opposite, those who would like to be categorized as Christians but bear no such evidence of the subsequent disciplined lifestyle.

I’ve noticed that the emergent church has adopted a new phrase, “Jesus-follower.” I don’t know who started it, but I like it. It is tough to hide behind this one. Either you are or you are not.

However, I don’t think Jesus is worried or feels threatened. Any misrepresentation on our part will never change who He is. He is still the name above every other name. All things are still under His feet. In the fullness of time, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord to the glory of God.

The burden is on us. We will never be able to manipulate our outcome simply by changing the meaning of a word. The invitation hasn’t changed since it was first spoken by Jesus.

“If anyone serves Me, he must continue to follow Me,
and wherever I am, there will My servant be also.”

(John 12:26)

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