Labeled
Labeled
Do you think I spelled “labeled” wrong? If you do, then you might be from Canada or Great Britain where they spell it “labelled”. To be honest, I had to look the word up to determine the correct spelling. Sometimes, we can tell something about a person about how they say a word, or how they spell a word, or how they choose to label themselves. Labels are so effective in pin holing (or is it pigeonholing) a person that they are often used disparagingly. He is a snowflake. She is a perfectionist. They are so self-righteous. People give us those labels because they are annoyed with part of who we are. I suppose people label us to put us down or to warn others to beware of what they believe is our shortcomings. As adults, we thought we left that behind when we matured, but we often find that name calling is still popular among adults.
In Acts 11 the Gentiles became annoyed with those who believed in Jesus. So the Gentile is Antioch began calling the followers of Jesus, “Christians”. It was a term of mockery that meant, “Christ’s men” or “those belonging to Christ”. These “Christians” were living differently, speaking freely about Jesus, discussing things like peace and forgiveness. Many people became believers and God blessed their willingness to be obedient by speaking up about Jesus. They were doing what they were called to do...they were shining spiritual light into spiritual darkness and God changed many people but their boldness also annoyed many people. Those annoyed mockingly called them “Christians”. Those who followed Christ heard the name and realized that if they were to be called something, that was a great name. The insult became a label they proudly wore. They counted it a privilege to be known as someone who belongs to Christ.
Today, sometimes we may be hesitant to be labeled as a Christian because of the behavior of many who wear the same label. But it is important to remember what the name represents. I belong to Christ. That truth is enough to change everything about who I am and what I do. Others may distort that, but while they are my brothers and sisters, I do not belong to them, I belong to Christ. I am his. He bought me with the price of his shed blood. He keeps me in the palm of my hand. He provides everything for me. He protects and guides me, even through the valley of the shadow of death. I must choose what I say and how I say it today because I represent Jesus. He is my King and my Rock. He is my deliverer and rescuer. He is my purpose and my goal. I pray today, that I will look so much like Jesus, not simply in my actions and words but in my heart that God will use me to draw many to Jesus and if I annoy someone living in darkness by the love I am living, may they insult me by labeling me a “Christian”.
Do you think I spelled “labeled” wrong? If you do, then you might be from Canada or Great Britain where they spell it “labelled”. To be honest, I had to look the word up to determine the correct spelling. Sometimes, we can tell something about a person about how they say a word, or how they spell a word, or how they choose to label themselves. Labels are so effective in pin holing (or is it pigeonholing) a person that they are often used disparagingly. He is a snowflake. She is a perfectionist. They are so self-righteous. People give us those labels because they are annoyed with part of who we are. I suppose people label us to put us down or to warn others to beware of what they believe is our shortcomings. As adults, we thought we left that behind when we matured, but we often find that name calling is still popular among adults.
In Acts 11 the Gentiles became annoyed with those who believed in Jesus. So the Gentile is Antioch began calling the followers of Jesus, “Christians”. It was a term of mockery that meant, “Christ’s men” or “those belonging to Christ”. These “Christians” were living differently, speaking freely about Jesus, discussing things like peace and forgiveness. Many people became believers and God blessed their willingness to be obedient by speaking up about Jesus. They were doing what they were called to do...they were shining spiritual light into spiritual darkness and God changed many people but their boldness also annoyed many people. Those annoyed mockingly called them “Christians”. Those who followed Christ heard the name and realized that if they were to be called something, that was a great name. The insult became a label they proudly wore. They counted it a privilege to be known as someone who belongs to Christ.
Today, sometimes we may be hesitant to be labeled as a Christian because of the behavior of many who wear the same label. But it is important to remember what the name represents. I belong to Christ. That truth is enough to change everything about who I am and what I do. Others may distort that, but while they are my brothers and sisters, I do not belong to them, I belong to Christ. I am his. He bought me with the price of his shed blood. He keeps me in the palm of my hand. He provides everything for me. He protects and guides me, even through the valley of the shadow of death. I must choose what I say and how I say it today because I represent Jesus. He is my King and my Rock. He is my deliverer and rescuer. He is my purpose and my goal. I pray today, that I will look so much like Jesus, not simply in my actions and words but in my heart that God will use me to draw many to Jesus and if I annoy someone living in darkness by the love I am living, may they insult me by labeling me a “Christian”.
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