Freedom in Christ, freedom from Fear.

These days it is very hard being a Christ follower. To be honest, I'm not really a fan of that terminology. I became a "born again" Christian in 1995 and being a part of that inner circle back then if you wanted to tell someone you were saved, I would use the term born again. It wasn't untill recently that this term, being a follower of Christ has really replaced the term I grew up with and identified with. I am very sad with the evangelical world that they have adopted a term to describe their community as followers, because my whole life, I considered myself a leader. The term follower implies that I do not question the leader's authority, and whatever the church says goes!

I don't think this is what Jesus would have wanted of his bride. He gave us reason, and free will and I personally believe someone has to be physically present to "follow" them. Being a believer in God, first and foremost implies that you have faith in someone. Jesus didn't ask his followers to blindly believe in Him or His teachings. The bible says, "Blessed are they who do not see, yet believe" implying that there is an element to faith which is hidden. In a sense, we are all followers of something or someone. Being a follower, doesn't mean that you believe in what you are following. That is why I will never consciously refer to myself as a follower. Christians all over North America have dropped the term "born again" and when it is vaguely referred to it is Christened with a theological definition, that vaguely resembles the term, as I originally used it!

Terms are important because if you are trying to evangelise the world with the gospel, there is no room for confusion. My definition of faith, and your definition of faith must come from the same place, or we are both in trouble. I am sick of the infighting within the leadership structure of the church, didn't Christ pray that Christians be united? What the heck is going on in the church, when we fail to live out the teachings of Jesus Christ and instead, bite and devour one another? We are in the age of denominalizationism, and it is causing division inside and outside the body of Christ.

As "believers" we need to stop fighting each other, and stop fighting the world and stick to the plan of living out my faith, so others, if they are inclined can join. This is Mike.

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