A Rose by Any Other Name

We all know the paraphrased line, "a rose by any other name would still smell as sweet." The point is that a name is just that, a name. Nothing more and nothing less. Love shouldn't be forbidden based on the name Capulet or Montague. A rose by any other name.

It has me thinking about Christianity and how much I have assumed based on one word. I have taken for granted that to some it is just a name; a label a description of how they were raised. But, I'm realizing there is a drastic difference in making Jesus the Savior of your soul and the Lord of your life.

If Jesus is purely Savior then it changes the game. It's a one act play. Once the role has been filled and my get out of jail card is obtained, I no longer need Jesus anymore. It's fire insurance and nothing more.

If Jesus is Lord of your life then it's a whole different set of rules. Suddenly morals and values and sin, grace and mercy come into light as major players. The soul saving becomes the driving force, but not the whole thing. Life becomes more about living in God's will than knowing where you go when you die. It becomes alive and vibrant and there is a purpose not just a final destination.

This is a concept lost on many and, I have to say, until recently I don't know that I would have described it this way. For a long while I have wondered why so many people claim Christianity, but it's like we have a separate definition. The guy who thought the bible was just a collection of nice stories, but said he was a Christian. Or friends with benefits, but yet helps out with his church youth group.

I'm not saying I'm perfect (I have plenty of faults and flaws on display and those less obvious), but in striving to make Christ the Lord of my life, I have to give up certain things. I have to die to self. I don't always do what I want to do or what "feels good." I strive to make decisions that would be pleasing to God and when I mess up (which is often and not very pretty) I have to confess and get back at it--that, my friends, is Christianity.

It's people who are tragically flawed, but wonderfully forgiven. A group of ragamuffin misfits who are striving to the something more God has called them for. Something more than just a selfish life spent doing only for me. Christianity is supposed to mean Christ-like. But does it? Maybe my real issue is just with the name.

But then that burns me. Christianity is supposed to mean Christ-like. Christ lived on this earth and he ate with sinners and those viewed unclean, but he never lost site of his purpose. Not just to save their souls but to call them to something more, something better. To take up their cross and follow him. To be fishers of men. The road was not promised to be easy, but we were told we wouldn't go it alone. Christ was always aware of the will of the father. Even in some of his final hours it was "my Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." (Matt 26:9). Constantly striving for God's will in his life.

So when people try to reduce Christ to one single act, though an amazing act of love and grace, it bothers me. It's accepting a gift without a 'thank you.' A life saver is thrown and you take hold. But as soon as you are back to the shore you walk right back to your old habits. Before you know it, your life is on the line again and you expect someone to jump in to save you again. I struggle with allowing that to be Christianity. I don't think the act of "soul saving" was all it was ever meant to be and it can't truly exist apart from a life changed. It's lip service to me. Nothing more than a promise made with no intention of keeping it.

There is no solution. The masses won't read my silly little blog and stop acting the way they do. I'm certainly not going to attack ever poor use of the word 'christian' and make sure that the branding is done properly. I think the only true way for me to combat this is to make sure that I live with Christ as Savior AND as Lord of my life. The rest, unfortunately, will come one day with "depart from me I never knew you."

I think I will stop describing myself as merely a 'Christian' and, as I've seen recently, simply state "I'm a Jesus follower." Because that is more what it is about. Following his will for my life and following his example. A rose by any other name.