I Am a Christian!

[PoemiaDei]

I Am a Christian

Etymology is an interesting subject as it traces the origin and history of words and the changes which words have undergone up to their present in their forms and meanings. However, few of us really have the will or zeal to search out the origin and history of the words we use daily. What is of importance to us is that the words we use represent the current meanings we intend them to convey to those with whom we communicate. In other words, once the established meanings of the words we use are clearly and commonly accepted in our language community we care very little about the vagaries of its origin and history.

The word Christian is one of those words which convey at least in its basic sense a common meaning to all who are acquainted with it. And so, when I declare that I am a Christian, I am convinced that all of you who are acquainted with the term know exactly what I mean. There is no need to define Christian or what I mean by being a Christian. Of course, since I am communicating with an English speaking community there is no need to refer to its Hebrew, Greek, Spanish, French, or any other of its linguistic interpretation. Christian is Christian in English which is our language of communication, and even when translated into other languages it conveys the same intrinsic meaning.

What is also true is that any attempt by anyone to redefine Christian differently from its generally accepted meaning is an obvious deviation. I consider anyone's attempt to redefine Christian differently from its generally accepted meaning an obvious deviation, not only because the meaning of Christian is self-obvious but also because any serious knowledge of the term Christian connects it to the unchangeable Christ, the Son of the living God. In other words, the fact that the term Christian means pertaining to or derived from Jesus Christ gives it an inviolable permanence. So when I say I am a Christian it is a clear declaration that I belong to Christ or I am a disciple of Christ and my lifestyle is characterized by the character and teachings of Christ.

Therefore, the concept of being a Christian is rooted in the concept of who Christ is. And it is good to know that Christ is "the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). Christ or the Christ is not merely a title or a superficial name but it represents the true character and operation of what Christ means. Christ means Messiah or Anointed One. And while it is a translation into English of the same term or concept in Hebrew or Greek, the original languages in which the Bible was written, it is undeniable that in any language or by any other name He who is the Christ remains and represents the same Person and operation yesterday, today, and forever. Like Shakespeare said, "A rose by any other name is still a rose."

In fact, the concept of Christ originated not from man but came to man as a revelation from God to identify Jesus. We read the account in Matthew 16:13-17: "When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, 'Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?' So they said, 'Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.' He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter answered and said, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' Jesus answered and said to him, "'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.'"

So, Christ, which means Messiah or the Anointed One and thus represents the Person and mission of the Son of God, is a revelation from God of who the Son of God is. And it is an honour to be considered a Christian, one who is a follower of Christ or is derived from Christ or manifests characteristics of Christ. Just as Christ did not always seem to be honourable in the eyes of those who despised Him, so too being a Christian, as it was even in the early use of the term to identify the followers of Christ, may be a despicable identity. But for all of us who believe in the Christ and honour Him and allow His life to be manifest in us, being Christian is what we are and consider ourselves Divinely honoured to be.

Pitifully, there are those idle etymologists who would try to persuade you not to identify with the Christ or with the term Christian because the concept Christ or Christianity was originally a despicable name. We who are true Christians do not mind. Christ indeed was despised of men and Christians were obviously despised too and still are. But men's evaluation of the Christ and Christians has absolutely no effect on the excellence of the true glory of the Christ in Himself and in those who are Christians. To participate in being despised as a Christian or for identifying oneself with Christ is a blessed experience according to Jesus Christ. We read in Matthew 5:11-12: "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

And Paul exhorts us who consider ourselves to be Christians to beware of any philosophy, religious traditions, or worldly institutions which attempt to redefine or shift our Christian identity away from the Christ. We read in Colossians 2:6-10: "As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power."

So I am a Christian forever!