Sacred Cynicism

Once again an age-old question has confronted me this week. It has confronted me in an abstract, intellectual sense, but even more importantly, this question has arisen in a deeply personal context. What does it mean to be a Christian? Before we quickly turn away, let us be reminded that how we answer this question will reveal much about who we are. I also have come to the realization that many Christians cannot answer this question at all. So let it be asked again, what does it mean to be a Christian?

Well, it means to be forgiven, one might add. One might even go further and say one has to have their sins forgiven. I will admit and state loudly that it is a wonderful thing to ask forgiveness, but does that constitute Christianity? Other religions also require their adherents to ask forgiveness. So if a Buddhist, or an atheist seeks forgiveness for wrongs, are we ready to proclaim them a Christian? If we are not careful, this line of pursuit can easily turn into a model that sees Christianity as an avoidance of wrongs, or an avoidance of hell or other punishment. This quickly becomes simply a moral pursuit. If I avoid all the bad things I can, and somehow be absolved for bad things done before then I am alright. Most of us are familiar with this example of Christianity.

There is another model of Christianity that most of us have heard. It is the model that encourages one to “accept Christ.” This sounds okay on the surface, but what does “accept Christ” mean? Does one accept His existence historically, or does this mean something else? When that phrase is heard it seems to involve a decision, although one not quite defined. It seems to mean somehow I am okay now, and Jesus and I are now friends. I affirm Him, and He affirms me. However the phrase remains nebulous and one never quite hears exactly what is required of the one who has “accepted Christ.” Forgive me for saying this, but it all seems so therapeutic and Oprah-y to me.

So the original question still remains, and it tugs at my heart, and with my mind. What does it mean to be a Christian? I think the answer to this question is remarkably simple, yet incredibly profound. What is remarkable to me is how little resemblance there is to our answer to this question as compared to how it is described in the Gospels. Let me offer a simple description of what it means to be a Christian.

First, Jesus’ early followers stopped what they were doing in order to follow Christ – in other words, they left their nets. Simply put, their allegiance changed from their task or self-identity to one that follows Christ. So a Christian is one whose ultimate allegiance is to Christ, not a group, nation, or political party – not even Caesar. Second, these people followed Christ. This was not just a prayer, or emotional decision, but a firm commitment to go where Christ went, and do what Christ asked. The trouble is, Christ asked for some strange things, like loving ones enemies, seeking His kingdom first, and forgiving others.

Perhaps the best answer is the answer that Christ gave when He was directly asked. First, love God, and then your neighbor as yourself. Simple, yet deeply profound. I may have to leave something behind, follow where Jesus leads, and love others along the way. There it is in all of its simplicity. When one follows Christ, we usually find that our selfishness, pride, and sin block the way – thus the need to find redemption and reconciliation. Then our allegiance changes from the things we used to find important, to the One who came to redeem the world. The things that used to be important may no longer be, and we may find ourselves seeing the world in a different light. And all along the way we love others, we act redemptively, and seek reconciliation.

This is what it means to be a Christian – are you on board? We need you.