What’s It Called?

Conversation with my 93-year-old aunt:
ME: Do you have your list for Walgreens?
AUNT: Yes, but you’ll just have to be patient as I get in the car. It takes me a while.
ME: I won’t close the door until you’re in.
AUNT: I have to walk slowly because of my asthma.
ME: You mean your arthritis?
AUNT: No, my asthma.
ME: Are you having trouble breathing?
AUNT: No.
ME: It’s not asthma. It’s arthritis. You’re having trouble walking.
AUNT: That’s why I should be driving.

Once in a while all of us get our words mixed up.
Is it asthma or arthritis?
Is it behoove or bemean?
Accept or except?
You’re or your?

When I can’t think of the right word, I just make up a new one and keep going.

Unfortunately, many have forgotten the word Christian and what it truly means.

If we’re temporarily “taking a break from Jesus” can we still call ourselves Christian?

If we’re not striving to live as Christ lived, is it right to call ourselves Christian?

What IS a Christian?
Isn’t a Christian one who is a Christ-follower?
One who takes on the name of Christ?
One who surrenders his or her life to the authority of Christ?
One who begins to live like . . . act like . . . look like . . .
even smell like Christ?

Ephesians 5:2 tells us that Christ is a fragrant aroma.

And 2 Corinthians 2:15 explains that WE are the aroma of Christ to the world.

I want to start looking like my heavenly Daddy.

Years ago, Alexander the Great ruled most of the known world. The story is told, one night he was walking the guard duty because he couldn’t sleep.

The Roman guards were told that if they had guard duty and they fell asleep while on duty, it was punishable by death. As the leader of the whole Roman Empire walked around that night because he couldn’t sleep, he found a guard who had become so exhausted—and thinking that nobody would ever know—he had fallen asleep.

Alexander the Great kicked the guy in the side and the young Roman solider looked up, petrified. He recognized the face of who he was looking at, and he knew there was no hope. He would be dead within 24 hours.

Alexander the Great looked at him and said furiously, “Solider, what’s your name?”

Terrified, the young man whispered, “My name is Alexander, Sir.”

Alexander the Great looked at him and history reports that he said, “Then solider, either change your conduct or change your name.”

Do you think God could be saying the same thing to us?

“Christian! Change your conduct, or change your NAME.”

Change your lifestyle . . . or change your name.

Change your habits . . . or change your name.

Jesus, I want to act like You—

REACT like You . . .

Live like You

Smell like You.

I often fall so short.

Please help me never to forget what the word Christian means

and how much it cost You to give me Your name.

Thoughts to this blog post?

Marsha Brown says:

06/04/15 at 10:05 pm

This is so amazing!! Another thought I had is how often we try to change His words to fit us and our needs, wants and desires. Or how some even take the Bible and twist its words to become words we can make our smelly behavior or wants ok. I imagine Jesus often comes into talk with God the Father and says. “What’s that smell?” And God points down to us and says it’s those kids of ours again!” I want to be that sweet aroma too! Thank you for this great lesson!!!