Christian?

And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. (Acts 11:26b KJV)

I recently read the question “What is Christianity?” The writer is an atheist posting on a Christian forum, consistently deriding those who believe 1) there is a God; 2) in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as that God.

Guess ya’ll know where I stand on both those statements. But, his postings have focused my attention on what people do call being a Christian. I noticed for the first time that the disciples were called Christians – apparently by others. It does not appear they applied the name to themselves. It made me wonder if we could earn that title from others today.

Would our words, our actions, cause someone to call us Christians? They would have to see us live our lives according to the principles and values taught by Jesus Christ. We would have to know the principles and values He taught in order to live by them. How many of us are reading the words of those who knew Him personally?

How many of us have read the book of John? The one that begins by defining His deity: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1 KJV) and ends explaining how little was told: And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. (John 21:25 KJV

How many of us shun Revelations because of our own fears of the future, yet it’s the only book that contains a promise just for reading, hearing and keeping His word: Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. (Revelation 1:3 KJV); though there is confirmation regarding those who do not: He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:7-8 KJV)

It also tells us why God created us: Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11 KJV)

If we focus on these few verses, could we be called Christian? Not in the least. Fanatic, maybe, but not Christian. We would miss His own words: Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (John 14:23 KJV)

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13:35 KJV)

Who would call us Christian? Who do you wish to call you a Christian?