I have been thinking about that lately, the statement “I am a Christian” and the responses to it in this nation and worldwide.  I think there was a time when those words were not as potentially volatile as they are now; I am pretty sure that when I was younger they didn’t elicit as much hostility as nowadays.   I recognize that there have been some monstrous acts done in the name of Christianity, yet anyone bothering to look farther will recognize in Jesus a different value system than those held by a few who spread a false religion of hatred and murder.

Long ago in the ancient city of Antioch, the followers of Jesus were given a title designating their allegiance to the Savior, separating their identity from the Jewish religion or the religions of the Greeks—“And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch” (Acts 11:26).   The name remains; however, many who consider themselves Christians choose also to identify with a particular creed or denomination, calling themselves Baptists, or Catholics, or Pentecostals, or Adventists…  Yet there is only one name that has the power to give life, or as Peter so powerfully stated through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit when questioned about the healing of a lame man, “let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.  This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’  Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:10-12).

When I say that I am a Christian, I am saying that my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and His righteousness.

When I say that I am a Christian, I affirm my belief that the Bible is the infallible, inerrant, and unchangeable Word of God, spoken by the Holy Spirit to human scribes.  I know that not all Christians accept this—but I do.

When I say that I am a Christian, I recognize that I risk ridicule and scorn for my faith; I risk being identified with a few who spread violence and hatred (though Jesus never did).

When I say that I am a Christian, I honor life; and I understand that many will consider me intolerant because of my faith and commitment to Jesus—however, God is a righteous God and His opinion of me is infinitely more important to me than the opinions of others.   I also recognize Jesus’ charge, “The first of all the commandments is:  ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.  And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’  This is the first commandment.  And the second, is like it, is this:  ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:29-31).

My identity as a Christian is not an entitlement to judge others:  “Judge not, and you shall not be judged.  Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned.  Forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37).

When I say that I am a Christian, I am identifying with the many who have suffered and those who are currently suffering persecution or imprisonment for the sake of the gospel.  I think of Meriam Ibrahim, imprisoned while pregnant, who faced flogging and execution for refusing to deny her Christian faith.  Praise God, she is free now; however at this moment many other people are losing their freedom, their homes, or their lives for their faith in Jesus Christ.

As a Christian, I understand that there is an unseen warfare which began even before Adam and Eve chose to disobey God; and it will continue until the day the Almighty One puts an end to rebellion—the enmity that exists between Satan, the enemy, and Jesus, God’s son, continues between the powers of darkness and those who bear the name of our Savior.  Scripture warns us to “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).  And the apostle Paul instructs us, “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:10-12). 

Even though I am not suffering persecution right now, that day may soon be approaching for everyone who chooses to identify with the cross of Christ—because scripture confirms “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).

Yes, I confess that I am a Christian and I can say that I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.  Whatever the path, wherever God leads me, I choose to identify with the cross of Christ, no matter the cost.