A Normal Christian
Stephen from “The Blazing Center” has articulated a thought that has been on my mind for a while now. In his post, “I Think I Will Just Be a Normal Christian From Now on, Stephen discusses how in our attempts to better define our commission as Christians, we have limited and perhaps needlessly burdened ourselves by the labels we have created.
Here is a few exerts that stood out to me.
We’re Reformed, we’re Charismatic, we’re emergent, we’re justice seeking, we’re seeker sensitive, we’re adoptional
(I don’t think that’s a word), we’re missional, we’re called to foreign missions, we’re radical, we’re Christian hedonists, we’re organic, all-natural, authentic, and label-loving. You get the point. And I have been extremely helped by so many of these categories. I’m so grateful for the push towards adoption, for Reformed theology, for Christian hedonism, and for the evangelistic emphasis of the missional minded folks.
Stephen adds - sometimes all the labels can be a burden to me. I’m sure the problem is totally with me and my legalistic self, but it seems like each label carries specific requirements with it. If I’m going to be missional I need to be highly focused on reaching out to my community with the gospel. If I’m going to be adoptional I need to create a community of adoption within my church and possibly adopt children myself. If I’m called to missions I need to be constantly thinking about and praying for the unreached people groups in the world. If I’m truly seeking justice I need to be making a concerted effort towards ending sex trafficking in the United States.
His synopsis is what I find most interesting since its a topic a plan to address this Sunday morning - specifically from Galatians 4:19. Stephen concludes that he simply cannot fulfill all that these labels demand with the fervor they each biblically deserve. Quoting John 15:5, he determines that it may be better to simply allow Christ to live His life through us. He finishes up with some close personal examples of those around yo are modeling the love of Christ. Here is Stphen’s closing statement to which I will add an “Amen.”
If I stay close to Jesus he’ll lead me into the good works that he has prepared for me.
Yeah, I like this; it speaks more to the reality of what we really are, rather what labels tell us to be. To be a follower of Yeshua and do what He directs by His Spirit is best.