Don't Label Me - Or Maybe You Should!

We've got more labels in this world than we know what to do with.   Our culture tends to label people, irresponsibly, thus causing more damage than good.  We use terms like illegal aliens, Republican, Democrat, crazy, gossiper, handicap, Christian, lazy, Millennials, fat, insecure and others.

Who am I?  This is a question that has plagued generations of people for all time.  What is the purpose of life and is there more?  As others witness our pursuit for answers, they will tend to label us accordingly.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.

Paul wrote that passage of scripture, so let's label Paul.

Evangelist / Missionary 

     - That's good. 

Never attended bible school but has a lot of field experience. 

     - No formal education. 

Traveled most of my life, renting and doing odd jobs to support myself.  

      - Can't hold down a job. 

Been thrown in jail several times and been involved in a few public squabbles. 

     - Troublemaker.

Been accused of being anti-semantic, anti-authority and causing disturbances almost everywhere I go. 

     - Racist, anti-political protestor. 

There are plenty of labels in the Bible.  But Paul, while calling himself an Apostle, doesn't define himself that way.  Instead, he calls himself a student and follower of Jesus.  He insists that his relationship with Christ is what give him purpose.    

You can call yourself, or anyone else for that matter, anything that you want.  When you face Jesus it isn't your labels that He will be reviewing, it will be your relationship with Him.  So how do I want to be labeled?  A friend of God. 

James 2:23 “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.

PRAY:  Dear Jesus, I want to be your friend today.  AMEN