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"Christian." Perhaps no other title or name elicits as diverse reaction at just the mere mention of it as does this one. It has been applied with broad strokes by liberals who would sully its character and restricted to a fine line by exclusionists. It speaks to a certain lifestyle, thought and application. It is feared and loved. It is honored and derided. It is the name worn by those who are considered "the church." It is also worn by those who consider themselves good people according to their own standard. It is embraced by those who call themselves by other names and then add that they are Christians as well.

Funny thing about names and titles. Many people claim them. From "He Hate Me" of the now defunct XFL, to the rapper "50 Cent," to the artist fromerly known as and then currently known as "Prince." Names and titles have been appropriated to fit the needs of the person who seeks them. The problem with "Christian" is the same as in the former sentence. People want to be called by that name. Is that the desire of the ages? Is that the zenith of aspirations? Is that the penultimate pinnacle of achievement? Desiring the name is the problem.

Last time I checked being a Christian, or called a Christian, is not that for which God sent His Son to die. "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him." John 3:17 God has called us to salvation, not to name wearing. The fact that such terms as "Christian Nation" and "Christian thought" have been given such broad applications should encourage us to not seek the name but the reason for its existence. We are not a Christian nation. The majority of our nation's people are lost not saved. Much of so-called Christian thought has nothing whatsoever to do with the Christ of Calvary and much more to do with simple social conscience.

In our modern world it is not politically correct for a woman to be known by her husband's name. My wife is Mrs. Tom Kelley. That is a reality which has occurred because we were married August 20,1971. That has everything to do with our relationship and nothing to do with her wanting a name. She had a name when we married and she still has that same name. She will forever be Becky Fridley. Her parentage has not changed in that respect. However, she is now a part of my family and wears my family's name. She was embraced by my parents as their daughter. That is what the title or name, Christian, is all about. It is about a relationship and not a philosophy; a family and not simply a lifestyle.

It is about being the bride of Christ. When people surrender themselves to the Lord Jesus Christ as God's sacrifice for their sins they become a part of Christ's family. His Father, God almighty, becomes their Father. His family, the church, becomes their family. His name, Christ, becomes their name. That is all about relationship. Christ is the Savior and we are the Saved. That is a relationship. Christ is the Redeemer and we are the Redeemed He bought back from Satan. That is a relationship. Christ is the Sacrifice and we are the Forgiven by the Sacrifice. That is a relationship. So I leave with you what my earthly father told me once before I went out on a date. He looked me right in the eye and said, "Don't embarrass the Christ." Might I add, "or His name."

"Word from Scotland" from Sandy Shaw

Another Miraculous Transformation