“Jesus Wasn’t a Christian”
I hear that statement a lot these days. First, let’s clear something up: the term “Christian” originally denoted* “Christ-like.” And so, in the truest sense, Jesus not only was a Christian, but was the first and only perfect Christian who ever lived.
However, the statement often connotes* the idea that Jesus was nothing like the people who call themselves Christians. And this is certainly true of the “many” whom Jesus predicted would use his name, but to whom he would one day say, “I never knew you.” Why? Because, as he explains two verses earlier, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21-23) So anyone who is not sincerely striving to be Christ-like is literally not a “Christ-ian.”
My first prayer as a new believer was, “Jesus, I want to follow you. Just don’t make me a Christian.” And so, as an earnest but oh-so-green disciple, I chose instead to call myself a “Jesus-follower.” And I still do.
“Christian” is an honorable word, but there’s so much baggage attached to it. Let us strive, therefore, fellow-believers, to live in such a way that all of that baggage will eventually fall away, and we will be recognized not only as true Jesus-followers…
But as true Christians.
*Denote means the actual definition of a term. Connote refers to its secondary associations, things it has come to be thought of as meaning.
Very well argued and explained, Mitch.
Thanks, Michael.
You’re most welcome, Mitch.
Jesus did not start a religion. He proposed a way of life rooted in Judiasm. Paul spread the Gospel and in first and second centuries churches were emergintg, books wrtten [NT] and people preached and worshiped. I would credit Paul as creating the foundations of the Christian faith . It is Paul that creates doctrine.
I like the distinction that you made, Mitch. As someone who’s experienced or seen the negative side of “Christian” behaviour, I think you captured the essence of what one should aspire to be – a Jesus follower. 🙏
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Well explained, Mitch. As I’m sure you know… Jesus was a fully observant Jew.
The most observant ever.
Amen.
We will get there someday. He guarantees it.
👍 Like all great writers, our Creator wrote the ending first.
There’s probably no perfect word or phrase, but I like “the way”.
I do too, Ben.
I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back. 🕊 So thankful!
I often mention to others, He’s not a denomination.
Mitch, agree that the word Christian has much baggage attached to it. This comes from mens traditions and religion that obscures the true meaning, Jesus is the Anointed One or Messiah who brought the expression of love, compassion, and redemption. We accept him and we bring his love and compassion to the hopeless. We lost the true meaning of Christian and the word Christ became the last name of Jesus. I celebrate Jesus and leave religious tradition to moulder discardered on the trash heap.
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Amen.
And this has been my prayer for years.
Amen 🙏 amen 🙏 This is very true — Jesus was not a Christian, but He is the epitome of what a Christian should be like! There will NEVER be another like Him to walk this earth and He knew that: (John 2:25) “He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.”
He provided the example, that we should strive to be!
Yes, so called “Christian’s” or better known as “Holier than thou, Christian’s,” have made many turn away from God and that there is blood on their hands. Something they will have to give account for on judgement day. But, not all Christian’s are the same as the writer stated, it’s to be Christ-like, not some religion!
This is a GREAT piece 🙏
Thanks and blessings, Lupe.
I am blessed when I read your post and stories. You are a blessing to many. Thank you, Mitch. May the Most High’s Grace, and Love always be upon you. And may He bless you sevenfold for doing His will. 🙏❤️
What a lovely thing to say, Lupe. Thank you, and may you know the same blessings.🧡
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So well and simply expressed!
Thank you, Maren.
Certainly a play on words – guess it’s hard to be a follower of the messiah if you are the messiah. Christos means messiah…..I have a friend, who as a child, thought Christ was the surname of Jesus until he learned that Christ is His title (one of many) – Jesus the Messiah.
Thank you, fellow-believer. Love your breakdown of this subject.
My privilege, San. 🧡
I discovered a relationship with Jesus as “Savior” in recognizing the unconditional love of God fleshed out in Jesus…as the one who showed us the WAY…learning to love all sorts of people different than he was and even forgiving because he understood the Jews that got him killed. He even chose to trust God when he felt abandoned by Him. Accepting Jesus as “Lord” is a lifelong journey involving forgiveness, forgiving, healing, freeing, and learning to love unconditionally. I started that journey with Jesus unconnected to any denomination. I had searched in most of them and even in other Religions. I’ve taught/witnessed in most of the major Christian denominations and found other “Jesus” people in them all, but plenty that have missed the point. I see Jesus as a turning point in evolution and the rest of us trying to catch up. I do blame some of the power and private club issues on the fact that we haven’t had the natural balance of the feminine and masculine in religion.
I have often referred to myself in various contexts as a Christ-follower rather than a “Christian” when the term was being used politically (as in Lebanon, the ‘Christian Democrats) or as a pejorative term for ether religious hypocrites or nut-bags.
Christ-follower seemed to communicate the was Jesus-follower would.
❤️&🙏, c.a.🤠
I agree, C.A.
For many, being a Christian is a tag, many of us are born with. For many it remains just a tag, a tag ot agreed convention. However, I see children who see the main purpose of December 25th as…..Father Christmas, not the birth of Christ. In the end I believe that if there is an almight being he would understand all these foibles of man’s search for meaning. And will not refuse anyone from any team whether it be “Real Madrd ” or “Manchester City” for we are all players 8n the end of the same sport.
Wonderful post!
Thank you, Dawn. 🧡
I agree the word “Christian” has come to mean an assortment of things that bear little meaning. I choose to use the term Christ-follower.
“…And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch…”
Acts 11:26
I find it interesting that others called them Christians.
If we label ourselves Christian, is it really true?
It’s like that old question: “if you are put on trial for being a Christian, would you be convicted?”
Just a thought.
Blessings
And a very good one, Pete.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I am not sinless; however, I do unto others as I would have (like) them do unto me.
I appreciate the heart behind this post. I’ve been saddened by some recent posts I’ve come across expressing the sentiment, “There’s no hate like Christian hate.”
Perhaps this is some of the baggage you’re speaking of.
Thanks for posting- It makes me wonder how often people have encountered those who call themselves Christians—or, to use your language, Jesus-followers—but haven’t experienced the love of Christ through them.
I do think there’s an important distinction in calling Jesus the first perfect Christian. Jesus wasn’t a follower of Christ. He is the Christ we are called to follow. He is our perfect example, and those of us who profess to believe in Him should be looking to His life and teachings as the model for how we live our own.
Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).
That doesn’t mean love requires us to abandon truth or agree with everything. But Scripture calls us to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).
I think that’s worth examining in ourselves. Are our words and actions pointing people toward Jesus, or are they becoming another reason people turn away from Him?
Whether we call ourselves Christians or Jesus-followers, the name matters far less than whether we are genuinely following the One whose name we carry.
Amen, my friend. And good to meet you.