Yesterday in church we were discussing Daniel 1:6-7, specifically what is in a name and the meanings of the names given to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah by Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. In order they were Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Remember the story? The discussion went that the reason for the change was to separate the Israelites from their heritage and families and to rid any vestige of honor to the Hebrew God. Their Hebrew names honored their God, while the names given by Nebuchadnezzar gave honor to Chaldean gods.
As the discussion progressed we talked about the names given Christians in the Bible; Beloved, Friend, Sons & Daughters, Ambassadors, Royal Priesthood, More than Conquerors and so on. Then the discussion went to the names Christians are given by those who are not Christian. For example, fanatic, intolerant, weak and dependent, fundamentalist, right wing, stupid, moralistic, hypocrite and so on.
It occurred to me that many of the names given to us by those outside the faith are given because of the perceptions often fed by Christians themselves and by those claiming to be Christians.
Too often we fail to live our lives towards others as Jesus did, to see them for who they are, people needing love, forgiveness and a relationship with God. Instead of loving them, we lambast them. Instead of forgiving them, we find fault, instead of cultivating a relationship we foster division.
Of course this is not the practice of all or even the majority of Christians, but most of us, in some small way send a signal to someone in our path that they are unwelcome in our company. I cannot imagine Jesus doing that. He who welcomed the company of Zacchaeus, the woman at the well, Roman centurion and others who were considered by society to be sinners, enemies, and undesirables.
Maybe if we tried to be more like Jesus, loving people instead of spewing hate, or simply showing disinterest in them, those who despise us would find themselves drawn to the love of Jesus showing through our lives.
I'm sure not all the unfavorable labels would go away, after all Jesus said we would be misunderstood and hated by the world, but at least we wouldn't be providing the ammunition. And perhaps a few would find there is something about that name whereby we call ourselves when we call ourselves Christians...Christ like.