Christian... What it means to me.

I recently saw this pic:

It fully engulfs how I feel. But, after many thoughts and conversations, I no longer feel that I want to fall under the "name" Christian...although I am one by belief and definition. My new thoughts are that I want to be known as a believer and follower of Jesus Christ.

There are so many negative connotations that tend to follow the word "Christian"...from both Christians and non-Christians. Thus, I feel that the term above will make me feel as though I can make a bigger impact when/where needed without the judgement that could follow.

I am 100% a person who believes in Christ, his mission, life, and our calling. I just don't want the negativity that follows ONE word to be what people judge me by. I am me doing what I feel Christ/God wants me to do. I am/have been/will be convicted by God in certain areas when He sees fit!

I am human...and will make mistakes, but I know God will not lead me astray. I fear that it could be those who claim to be Christians will be ones who lead others astray. Remember, God does not say NOT to judge when it comes to Christian behavior... He does say that when we do judge, we are to do so with knowledge and understanding that we are doing it after prayer, with His blessing, and not being able to turn around and have the same judgement passed on us about the very same topic.

Mathew 7:1: "Do not judge, or you too will be judged."

Luke 6:37: "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Other Information provided by www.gotquestions.org:

Question: "What does the Bible mean that we are not to judge others?"

Answer: This is an issue that has confused many people. On one hand, we are commanded by the Lord Jesus, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged” (Matthew 7:1). On the other hand, the Bible also exhorts us to beware of evildoers and false prophets and to avoid those who practice all kinds of evil. How are we to discern who these people are if we do not make some kind of judgment about them?

Christians are often accused of "judging" whenever they speak out against a sinful activity. However, that is not the meaning of the Scripture verses that state, "Do not judge." There is a righteous kind of judgment we are supposed to exercise—with careful discernment (John 7:24). When Jesus told us not to judge (Matthew 7:1), He was telling us not to judge hypocritically. Matthew 7:2-5 declares, "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." What Jesus was condemning here was hypocritical, self-righteous judgments of others.

In Matthew 7:2-5, Jesus warns against judging someone else for his sin when you yourself are sinning even worse. That is the kind of judging Jesus commanded us not to do. If a believer sees another believer sinning, it is his Christian duty to lovingly and respectfully confront the person with his sin (Matthew 18:15-17). This is not judging, but rather pointing out the truth in hope—and with the ultimate goal—of bringing repentance in the other person (James 5:20) and restoration to the fellowship. We are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). We are to proclaim what God's Word says about sin. 2 Timothy 4:2instructs us, "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction." We are to "judge" sin, but always with the goal of presenting the solution for sin and its consequences—the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6).

I am not saying that I am not or have not judged...I am SURE guilty of it, but I very much feel that the above references my responsibility on the topic. As a Christian, I better make sure "my house is clean before I start judging yours". That is how I feel.

Love me as I am...keep me accountable, but also know that if you are going to stand at my door and shake your finger, check the fingers shaking back at you. Also, just because you have been convicted on a topic by Him, doesn't mean I have. He will approach us as He sees fit.

Please remember this when you start peeking through my "window" or acting under the heading of "Christian". You represent a whole group of people, who already under extreme scrutiny.

I'm now signing out... The "newest member" of the group believer and followers of Christ!