Define the Relationship

By Pastor Rey Diaz

What’s a Christian? Ask ten different people and you’ll probably get ten different answers: someone who goes to church every Sunday; someone who was born into a Christian family; someone who believes Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead three days later; someone who celebrates Christmas and Easter; someone who doesn’t drink, smoke, or use profanity. Others take a darker view. They’d say Christians are judgmental, selfish, arrogant and close-minded.  And it's complicated because you can find Christians on both sides of every issue – moral, political, economical, and social. 

If there’s so much disagreement about what a Christian is, how are we supposed to know who to trust on the matter?

The bad news is that the Bible does not define "Christian".  In fact, the word “Christian” only appears three times in the Bible.  So there is no right answer.  But that is a moot point.  Because  first-century Christians didn’t call themselves Christians.  Christians called themselves something far more dangerous: “disciples.”

“Disciple” is scary word because it’s clear and concrete. It means a learner, pupil, apprentice, adherent, or follower. A disciple learns and grows by obeying and imitating his or her master. Discipleship isn’t as simple as going to church services, believing a set of facts, observing rituals, celebrating holidays, being born into the right family, or behaving morally.

 

Being a disciple is active. It requires effort...and sacrifice. 

We can hide behind the word “Christian,” but early Christians considered themselves disciples.

So, what does it look like to be a disciple of Jesus? In John 13:34–35 (NIV), he gives his disciples their marching orders: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

When Christians live like disciples, outsiders look at their communities with wonder: “Look at the way they love. Look how they honor women, children, the elderly, and the sick. Look how they respond to persecution—it’s like they don’t even fear death.” That is kind of love has the power to change the world.

Jesus calls his followers to build communities of world-changing love. Too often, we fail and outsiders end up viewing churches as places of scorn, hostility, rejection, and stifling moralism— exclusive, self-serving clubs in which they’re not welcome.

So here’s the question: Are we going to be content just being Christians, or are we going to be disciples?