What’s in a Name?
Published November 26th, 2008 in See all blogs
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I Want to Be Like Jesus
Linda McCrary introduced me to this song about 15 years ago. She and her family would often sing it, along with many other traditional gospel songs during their Church services, usually held in a storefront building in a tough neighborhood, somewhere deep in the San Fernando Valley.
The first time I heard this song, it became mine. It said what I wanted to say… only better. It is a simple prayer… and it’s enough. If this prayer could be answered in me then I would be a better man… and the world would be a better place.
However… I must confess that I have omitted the first verse that says, “I want to be a Christian in my heart etc”.
This may seem strange to you but I feel uncomfortable singing that line. For some, to be counted as a Christian is a great honor. I am sure the original writer, Unknown but assumed to be black slave living in the south in the 1900’s felt very strongly about this. Back then many ‘white folk’ held the view that the color of your skin precluded you from joining ‘the club’.
If we go way back to the period just after Jesus died, people were described as Christians because of the way they lived out their beliefs. Onlookers were just astounded at what was going on amongst the Jesus followers. The open, loving, generous community was a shock to the ‘modern society’. Thus the term ‘Christian’ was coined… by ‘non-Christians’.
I wish this were the criterion today. It is after all bad manners to proclaim your own worthiness.
One doesn’t go around saying “I am a such good man… a righteous fellow… generous to a fault… always putting my neighbor before myself… I’m beyond reproach!”. (That is unless you are in politics whereby it is expected that you can say one thing and do another.)
If you were any of these things (even some of the time) wouldn’t it be better if someone else noticed and gave you a compliment.
“Wow… your life is so full of love… even to those who persecute you… who think differently from you… you feed the poor… you look after the widows… you befriend the gangs and the hookers… you are not enticed by wealth and power… your door is always open to anyone who needs help… you give and give and give and always seem to have enough. I could go on and on about you… If I could be so bold to say one more thing… you remind me of that man Jesus”.
Wouldn’t that be great?
But instead many have put a claim on the name ‘Christian’ and used it to fight political battles, to market and sell trinkets or to point a finger at people who don’t match up to their standards of morality (which differs in each continent or community).
I could go on and on about this… but you get it.
In this day and age I do not like to call myself a Christian for the word itself has lost its meaning. Or it has to me.
Sorry of this offends you.
I do however want to follow Jesus… and to the best of my ability… become like him. What a challenge… impossible really… but I would rather fail attempting to live and love like Jesus than sit back comfortably in my pew and say proudly that I am a Christian.
I have shared these thoughts in public arenas from time to time… with mixed response. Some people get angry, feeling that I am denouncing my faith.
What do you think?
Could be that you’re not denouncing your faith as much as indirectly denouncing their faith.
Hi.
I don’t like to change who I am or what I’d like to be because of others.
As the only Christian in my family, I’m proud to call myself a Christian (one like Christ) and, furthermore, pray that I would become (transformed each and every day more and more ) like Jesus.
I think the second and third verses of this song clarify the definition you describe.
It’s a prayer to be like Christ, Like Jesus, to know His peace, etc.
I sing this version often, and (because I learned it from you), also omit the verse verse. In my case, I think it’s out of habit.
Now that you mention it…
In this dark world, I think we should shine brighter, no matter who has tarnished the name.
Praying always for you.
Bridget
I think you do a disservice not to call yourself a Christian. Sure there a some Christians who act like you describe, but they have been emphasized by people who do not like Christianity. There far more Christians who have lives have been changed who are the same as those early Christians. They, of course are never recognized by the media or those who don’t want any restrictions on their lives. The so called “tarnish” can only be changed if you and others like you call yourself a Christian. Then that is what a Christian will look like. I think you are trying to be politically correct because in LA people might not think you too cool.
Probably the word you are looking for is…
Disciple.
This carries more of a commitment to it. After all, this is what Jesus said you would be if you continued in His word.