Becoming MORE Christian

Growing up in Church as a young child, we were taught that you are either a Christian or not a Christian. There were tracts and classes based on "how to know that I am saved." We tended to need assurance that we were "in." We wanted constant reassurance that we were Christians.
But as time went on, I learned differently.(A special thanks to Rob and Iona Snair, directors of Lifeteams: School of Urban Youth Outreach, for changing my worldview. You guys aren't crazy!) I learned that Christianity isn't that black and white all the time. Its about a journey to "become more Christian." (thanks to Doug Lowney for that terminology). Its about learning to relate to God, to change behaviors and thought patterns to line up with that of Christ's. This isn't an overnight change, it takes time.
When I was doing youth work, a fellow worker, Chris Hyslop always said, "It isn't our job to tell people how to be Christians. It is our job to introduce people to Jesus." Christianity looks different among individuals. Some Christians smoke, others don't. It's not my job to tell someone that it is right or wrong to smoke as a Christian. (The same goes for swearing, speeding, relationships etc.). They will be convicted and be drawn to the right conclusions in time. (and yes, i do realize there is a place for correction when someone goes wayward, but let's leave that for those who are "Christians" and not for those who are still discovering Christ. No one wants to become a Christian and realize that there are a million "rules" to follow.) It is our duty to introduce people to Jesus. To allow them to journey with Christ.
Over time, I have found that Christianity is a journey. We are forever turning towards and away from God, being close and being far. It isn't always about crossing the line, praying the prayer, being on the inside. Last Sunday, April spoke a sermon on "Jesus as the Center." She talked about different worldviews, or sets, that there are in relation to this. Here's a bit of an overview.

Bounded Set: This set is about creating tangible boundaries. Picture a circle with an x in it. Outside the circle is a Y. In this set, you are either in or out. You are either Christian (x) or not Christian (y). There is no grey area. (this is what i believed as a child)

Centered Set: Jesus is the center of this set. You can either be close or far from the center and you can either be moving towards or further away from the center. Picture a star, which represents Jesus. There is both an X and a Y. One is close and the other farther away. One is moving towards the star and the other moving away from the star. This set allows us to be "close with God" or "far from God," moving towards a relationship with Him, or turning away from Him.

Bounded/Centered Set: This is a mixture of the two sets. Jesus is in the center of the circle. The X is inside the circle, and the Y is outside. But the X is moving away from the center and the Y is moving towards the center. This set allows the analogy of the journey, moving towards or away from God. But also places the boundaries on it, with a Christian or non-Christian distinction.

Scripture seems to allow for both sets, the distinction of Christian versus Non-Christian (sheep verses goats) and the analogy of the journey of being close to God or turning away from God. Therefore, we should be embracing the Bounded/Centered Set.

When listening to this sermon, I was struck by the embracing of both sets. I, personally have been leaning towards the centered set in the last 6 years or so. But have come to realize that I like both sets together. There is a distinction of Christian verses non-Christian. But personally, i think that God should be the one making that ultimate distinction, not ourselves. We need to striving to become "more Christian," and move in the direction of Christ. Our focus should be on our relationship with Christ. On Judgement Day, He will let us know if we are a sheep or a goat, if we knew God or didn't know God. But let's strive to BECOME MORE CHRISTIAN, and move closer to God, however that looks.