At Its Core

“and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.” – Acts 11:26

In his book “The Crucifixion of Ministry”, Andrew Purves writes: “Christianity at its core is not about subscription to a theological system or the authority of a sacred text or ethical perspectives, although they are all important. Christianity, at its core, is about the self-referenced claim by a person who said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).

That person calls us into a relationship with himself, which means communion with God. He showed and taught us that his way is love and mercy, and forgiveness. His truth is not just his teaching but his person. His life is life indeed because in union with him, we have communion with God.

The Christian claim is that at the end of the day, at the end of life, you and I have to deal with Jesus. Christianity is about a person, and therefore it is about personhood. That means a great deal when we deal with other people, especially people who differ from us in their faiths, ethics, political ideas, and worldviews.”

The name “Christian” is a proud name to bear and one we should always desire to be called. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that you are a member of His family and seek to bring Him glory in all that you do.

“God looks at you as if you were a little Christ: Christ stands beside you to turn you into one.” – C.S. Lewis

God’s Word: “However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.” – 1 Peter 4:16