Name calling

One of the most painful memories I have in my life is from a college experience. It was a time in my life where I was running from God and was involved in lots of things that didn't bring Him glory. There was an instance where I did something stupid to a fellow fraternity brother which I thought was done in secret. However, one night he called me aside, confronted me with what I had done, and then to my face called me a hypocrite. I have never felt so ashamed in my entire life.

Name calling is something that isn't tolerated in my house. Some of the names that my kids come up with are funny sounding and not all that insulting - carrot head, snot breath, etc. - but they are always used with the intent to harm so we don't let them be said a second time. No one likes to be called names or labeled unfairly. But there is a name that, although it might have started out as a harsh label, has become synonymous with what all followers of Christ strive to be called.

Acts 11:19-26 describes the growth of the church in Antioch under the leadership of Barnabas and Saul (later called Paul). For an entire year these men stayed in Antioch and taught and discipled the followers of Christ there. As a result of the growth of that church and the sincere faith that they exhibited, believers in Antioch were labeled with the name "Christian." For the first time in history disciples of Christ were called Christians.

I've heard that this was originally a derogatory name, since Christian literally means "little Christ", but pardon me for not being insulted. My goal in life is to glorify God and to be even considered worthy of looking like Christ to others. You can call me whatever name you want and there are times that you can probably offend me by doing so, but you will never offend me by calling me a Christian. That's one name I long to be called.