Living in Christ

The True Meaning of Being a Christian: More Than Just a Label

What does it really mean to be a Christian? Is it simply adhering to a set of beliefs, or is there something deeper, more transformative at work? In our modern world, where labels and affiliations are often used to define us, it's crucial to examine what truly sets Christianity apart.

At its core, being a Christian is not about wearing a title or belonging to a particular group. It's about a profound, life-altering union with Christ that reshapes our very essence. This union is so intimate that the Apostle Paul boldly proclaimed, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me" (Galatians 2:20). This is not mere poetic language, but a declaration of a new reality.

The concept of unity lies at the heart of the Christian experience. In John 17, we find Jesus praying fervently for his followers - not just those present with him, but all who would come to believe through their message. His prayer reveals two crucial aspects of unity: unity among believers and unity with God Himself.

Unity among believers is not about uniformity of thought or practice, but a shared identity in Christ that transcends our differences. It's about being "perfectly one" as Jesus describes it, united under the headship of Christ. This unity is a powerful witness to the world, demonstrating the transformative power of the gospel.

But even more astounding is the unity with God that Jesus prays for. He asks that believers may be one with God just as He is one with the Father. This is not a distant, abstract concept, but an intimate reality made possible through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It's a restoration of the close communion with God that was lost in Eden, where Adam and Eve walked and talked with their Creator.

This unity is made possible through what Jesus calls "glory" - the very presence of God. In the Old Testament, God's glory was often associated with visible manifestations, like the fire on Mount Sinai or the cloud filling the temple. Now, through Christ, that glory - that weighty, palpable presence of God - is given to believers. We become, as Paul puts it, "temples of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19).

This indwelling presence of God transforms us from the inside out. We are not merely improved versions of our old selves, but entirely new creations. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." This transformation is not instantaneous, but a lifelong process of becoming more like Christ, "from one degree of glory to another" (2 Corinthians 3:18).

So what does this mean for our daily lives? It means that every aspect of our existence is infused with new meaning and purpose. There is a "Christian way" to pour orange juice, to drive a car, to change a diaper - not because these tasks themselves are inherently spiritual, but because we who perform them have been fundamentally changed. We live every moment Coram Deo - before the face of God - aware of His presence and seeking to glorify Him in all we do.

This transformation is not just for our own benefit. We are called to be living displays of God's glory to the world around us. Our lives should reflect the reality of Christ in us, drawing others to the beauty of the gospel. We are part of God's grand plan of reconciliation, as He works through us to restore all things to Himself.

The implications of this truth are staggering. It means that the church is not merely a social club or a group of like-minded individuals. It is, as Peter Leithart beautifully puts it, "a new way of being human together." We are the vanguard of a renewed humanity, a foretaste of what the world will be when Christ's kingdom is fully realized.

This understanding of Christianity challenges us to examine our lives. Are we living as new creations, or are we still clinging to our old identities? Are we pursuing unity with God and with fellow believers, or are we allowing petty differences to divide us? Are we displaying God's glory to the world, or are we blending in with the surrounding culture?

The invitation of the gospel is not just to believe a set of facts, but to enter into a new way of being. It's an invitation to die to our old selves and to be born again as part of God's new creation. It's an invitation to live in constant communion with the Creator of the universe, to be filled with His presence, and to be continually transformed into the image of Christ.

This is what it truly means to be a Christian - to be a new creation, united with Christ, filled with His glory, and living every moment in His presence. It's a high calling, one that we can only fulfill through the power of the Holy Spirit working in us. But it's also an incredible privilege, an adventure of cosmic proportions that begins now and continues into eternity.

As we go about our daily lives, may we be ever mindful of this reality. May we live in a way that reflects our new identity in Christ, pursuing deeper unity with God and with each other. And may our lives be beacons of God's glory, drawing others to the transformative power of the gospel. For in the end, being a Christian is not about what we do, but about who we are becoming in Christ.