Sadly, when I hear the word "christian" my eyes spontaneously roll. This poor word has lost much of it's reputation. Many people claim to be christians, but their deeds say something else. If we are defined by our words and actions, then the definition of "christian" has become meaningless.
It is to the point that I think our society has replaced the denotation of the word for the connotation. The actually meaning of the word, christian, according to merriam-webster is "one who professes the teachings of Jesus." It is a shame that the connotaion has become a good moral person who believes in a higher power.
The time has come to take back the definition of Christian and start professing Christ's teachings. It is time that believers of Christ be defined not only our words but our actions as well. Whatever vein of Christianity you belong to; whether anabaptist, catholic, orthodox, or protestant, it doesn't matter. We must start professing Christ in our words and deeds.
Furthermore, we must start loving the Church as a whole and not just our sect or denomination. After all, this is what Jesus taught, "'to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it, 'love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matt. 22:37-40) I must love my Catholic neighbor, I must love my Orthodox neighbor, I must love my Anabaptist neighbor, and I must love my Protestant neighbor.
Remember the saying, "it starts in the home." We must start practicing Jesus' teachings in our home with our earthly family and in our Church with our spiritual family. The world is watching how we handle family situations and is taking notes. How do we relate to our brothers and sisters in the Faith? Can we honestly say that we love our siblings? Can a Lutheran honestly say that he loves his Quaker neighbors?
I'm not saying that we ignore our neighbors outside the Church, but suggesting that we demonstate this commandment within the global church as well. We need to encourage the various denominations and traditions who are focusing on different aspects of the Father's Love.
If we stopped arguing differences in doctrines and began focusing on meeting the needs of those around us, it could make the larger global Church mimic Christ's love for humanity. We may see a spiral effect with the Church's influence enlarging. Those who are outside Christianity may take note and surrender their lives to following Jesus' teachings and accept redemption through His sacrifice.
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