I’ve lived in quite a few places. It can be kind of fun to learn what natives call themselves. Some are quirky or open for debate. Ask any Sooner or Michigander and you’ll see what I mean. Others are pretty straightforward. Virginia = Virginian. Texas = Texan.
We can add the suffix -ian onto lots of words and understand that it means someone who belongs to the root word. Italian. American. Mexican.
This got me thinking about the word Christian. You see, if I ask people what it means to be a Christian, a lot of times the answer is that it means to be a follower of Christ. That’s true, but it leaves out something important. To be a Christian is not just to be a follower of Christ, but a Christ-ian. One belonging to Christ.
There were lots of people who followed Jesus during His ministry years. But not all of them were Christians. As a matter of fact, John tells us that “many of his disciples turned away and deserted him” (John 6:66). Following Christ isn’t enough because it leaves open the possibility of turning away. Belonging to Christ brings us into His family. It leads to a bond that’s unbreakable.
Our best and only hope is to belong to Christ. He purchased us at great personal cost, His own lifeblood (1 Peter 1:19). Now we are marked as His. Our names are written on the palm of His hand (Isaiah 49:16). We’re listed in the Book of Life (Revelation 20:15).
God didn’t purchase our freedom so that He could make us slaves. He purchased our freedom so that we would be free. We have the opportunity to no longer be controlled by sin, but to be self-controlled. To choose for ourselves.
Just like any lover, God says I want you to be mine because you choose me.
In freedom, we choose to give our hearts to Christ. Because we love Him. We are His.
This is what it means to be a Christian.