day no. 16,461: name calling

You call yourself a Christian, so far so good.

Would anyone else call you one? Could you be accused of being a Christian? And if you were, would there be enough evidence to convict? Would a charge of Christianity hold up against you in court? Could a prosecutor dig up enough Christian dirt to convict you of the faith once for all delivered? Are there enough resurrected skeletons in your prayer closet to accuse you of being a Confessor? Would a jury believe beyond a reasonable doubt that you are what you claim to be? Would anyone call you names akin to the Names above all other names?

Acts 11:26

It came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

It is one thing to self-identify as a Christian and quite another to be accused of being one. It is one thing to associate yourself with Him and quite another to confirm that He associates with you. In most cases, I grant it, the accusers are not, perhaps, the best judges of what constitutes a faithful testimony. But that said, is there enough evidence to suggest they see you in league with the One they saw fit to crucify? By that definition, do you inspire a similar response or anything remotely akin from the enemies of Christ?

James 2:19

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

If you believe that there is one, true God, you do well, but it does not necessarily place you in the best of company. Demons know well the facts of the matter, yet fail to benefit much from that fact. Demons may believe in God, but they aren’t called according to their belief. Rather, they respond to what they know in such a way as to be identified entirely by their unbelief. So whatever knowing is in that regard, it doesn't amount to much more than additional evidence against you if you do not act rightly upon it.