Labels and the Christian faith
Everywhere you look, someone is wearing or showing their brand. We pay extra for “designer” clothing. The brands come and go in fashion, but most of us have worn someone’s brand, or another’s, over the years.
We wear advertising logos. I struggle with that. Shouldn’t they be paying me to advertise for them, instead of having me pay extra for the “right” to advertise for them? Perhaps all of us who don’t fit a given brand’s target audience should lobby them to pay us not to wear their clothing or use their products. But I digress.
As Christians, we often wear our brands. We identify ourselves based on the denomination, sect or non-denominational group we belong to. When asked about our faith, we’ll say things like “Oh, I’m a First Churchian.”
That’s a double problem. Firstly, Christianity isn’t about religion. It’s about relationships, specifically the personal relationship between an individual and Jesus Christ. It has nothing to do with “religion” except as a secondary thing. It’s faith that matters.
Christ spoke harshly to those who put their traditions above His Word.
And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” Mark 7:6-8 ESV
Secondly, no matter what you think of denominations, there is only one church. Your denominational leaders are wrong if they teach that their expression of the Christian faith is the only way. Jesus is the only way. He’s the only name by which we’re saved. Salvation doesn’t come from belonging to a specific denomination.
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Romans 12:4-5 ESV
And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 ESV
In case you’ve never been told, there will be believers from other denominations in heaven. Yours won’t be the only one. Seeing some people in heaven will shock you. The only requirement to get in is acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior. We’ll be astounded by who will be there and who won’t.
I’m not suggesting that every group has everything right. I’m not saying doctrinal and practice differences don’t matter. I’m saying that the entry point is what we do with Jesus. You can have that right and get most other things wrong.
If you must wear a “brand name”, wear the name follower of Jesus Christ. Declare it when asked. Wear it so that it shows in your dealings with others. Wear it in all you do so that people know you are His even before they ask.
Until next time may the brand that people see in your life be “sinner saved by the grace of the Living God.”
Be Blessed
Kevin
SUMMARY
The label we wear isn’t what saves us; Jesus is the only way. May the brand people see in your life be “sinner saved by the grace of the Living God.”
TAKEAWAY
Christianity isn’t about religion. It’s about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and He spoke harshly to those who put their traditions above His Word.
There’s only one church, and the entry point is what we do with Jesus. We’ll be astounded by who will be in heaven and who won’t.
If you must wear a brand name, wear the name follower of Jesus Christ. Wear it in all you do so people know you are His even before they ask.