If a person in Pittsburg proclaims themself a pirate, it’s generally understood that they are a baseball fan. However, should they announce this association while traveling outside Pennsylvania, there’s bound to be someone in the group who wonders why this person pilfers cruise ships on the weekend.
Normally, labeling can be a very helpful way of keeping things organized. Everything in its place and easy to find. It seems a natural habit to want to put people (ourselves included) into organized, easy to define slots. We adopt labels for ourselves. We apply labels to others. But a person is not so easily defined. And definitions are often multitudinous in their variety.
With two middle schoolers in my house, the subject of self-identification has been prevalent both directly and subconsciously. The matter of who they are is at once consuming and confusing. Throughout my life I’ve witnessed people drastically change their style of dress, their musical tastes, and who they hang out with all in an attempt to mark themselves as unique individuals and at the same time associate themselves with something recognizable. For many businesses, a distinguished and eye-catching brand is important to stay relevant in the consumers’ minds. Just as important is whether or not the company’s standards are congruent with the public’s view of that brand. Who we wish to be and how we are viewed by others can be two very different things.
The title of “Christian” has meant many things to different cultures throughout several generations since its inception. Many have donned the title “Christian” with the belief that with it would come an immediate understanding of who they were, what their beliefs were, or perhaps why they might be abstaining from some kind of indulgence. Instead of understanding, however, confusion often prevails as the term “Christian” is incorrectly interpreted and in some cases even incorrectly applied.
Due to the misconduct of some who have called themselves Christian, or even due to propaganda put forth by organizations wishing to hurt the name of Christ for their own ends, onlookers may have a very negative view of what a Christian is and they may assume a person happily calling themselves Christian may also happily embody those negative aspects.
A missionary I was once listening to explained that influential powers in the country to which he was ministering had manipulated the people to associate the term “Christian” with the most vile and unmentionable acts. The missionary went on to explain they do not call themselves Christians in that country because the people are completely opposed to interacting with them. Knowing this, the missionaries instead refer to themselves as “followers of Christ” and with that small change the people are often open to learning that a Christian is not at all what they've been led to believe.
Our differing definitions of labels can also be a two-edged sword. Even as Christians, we can apply labels that sadly may inspire us to write certain people off as “Unsavable” or “Unloveable.” Assigning people into these “convenient” slots can be very damaging to all parties involved.
In the Bible, Saul might have been considered “Unsavable” or “Unlovable” by the early Christians, as he persecuted them in violent and deadly ways. It’s an understatement to say Saul’s view of Christians in his time did not coincide with how they would’ve liked to be regarded. Miraculously, Saul’s perspective changed through direct divine intervention and with that change in perspective came a completely new identity (even a change in name) that would be undeniably evident to all who had once known him as Saul. Here God's intervention drastically redefined everyone's definition of the labels adopted and applied.
Does God regard our titles we have applied to ourselves or others?
Some people with great titles once brought a woman before Jesus. These people had a very accusatory label for her indeed. We don't know what Jesus began to write in the sand but we know all too well what Jesus said to these greatly titled men.
“Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”
One by one these “prestigious” men walked away from Jesus.
“Where are your accusers?” Jesus asked the woman. “Does no one condemn you?”
“No, my Lord, they have gone.” The woman replied.
“Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.”
Ironically the only person there without sin was not there to throw stones. It might be strange to point this out but even though Jesus rebuked these accusers, he didn't throw stones at them either!
Acts 10:34-35 says “…God shows no partiality.” In the story we see Jesus unaffected by the pharisees’ prestige. He is unaffected by the label they are applying to the woman. He loves all parties involved in this situation regardless of their earthly labels. Instead Jesus was looking at their hearts as it says in 1Samuel 16:7
“…People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Peter 3:3-4 says “Let [your adornment] be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”
In Matthew 7:16 Jesus warns the disciples about false prophets saying “...So then, you will know them by their fruits.” Obviously not everyone you meet has titled themselves a prophet but I beg the question: What was the fruit these religious leaders were producing in the accusation of the woman they brought before Jesus? It was certainly not a loving fruit. But when the only person there with the right and authority to not only accuse but judge and condemn, does none of these things but instead forgives and wipes the slate clean, that is a most amazing product of love! He didn't regard the woman as a harlot, as she had been labeled. He saw her heart and gave her a label far greater than the one her accusers had applied.
When God looks at our hearts what is He seeing? Matthew 6:21 says “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” What is it you treasure? What fruit do you produce that is seen by those around you? Does that fruit concur with or contradict the misconceptions the world may have about the label you’ve adopted? Likewise, do the labels we apply to others help or inhibit the extension of God’s love through us to people He so values?
Perhaps, when it comes to people, the only truly useful label by which we should define ourselves and others is God’s only label for us. It’s the same label for Saul who persecuted Christians. It’s the same label for the woman thrown at Jesus in disgrace. It’s the same label for the Pharisees who brought her there. It’s the same label for you and everyone you meet:
So Loved.
About the Author
Christopher has worked as a children’s pastor and youth leader for several years and has published countless humor articles under the pseudonym Professor Popinjay. He studied biblical history and child psychology through Burean University and various other educational institutions. He enjoys writing, art, and the history of invention. He lives with his amazing wife Jessie and their six bizarre children, one of whom is a cat..