Christian or Follower?

What does it mean to be a Christian? I looked up the definition of the word "be" which can also be written as am, are, was, is, etc. The definition is as follows "To belong to a specified class or group." So, to be a Christian is to basically join a club... if a person says they are a Christian it is simply a statement of voluntary membership in THE club. Most people who call themselves Christians and say they are in the club never acheive for Christ. They simply meet the requirements to acheive a certain status and thats all they ever do. I worry greatly about those people. Their is no conviction there is no action oriented change. For many its the same crap, but different smell.

There have been quite a few times in my life that I have looked at various people and said to myslef, "If thats what a christian is... then I don't wanna be one." I'm not saying I don't wanna love and serve Christ, I just don't wanna be associated with those people. The word Christian is now a very negative word in our society. there have been many surveys done to non-christians who say that Jesus is nice and loving but Christians are mean and nasty.

I don't wanna be associated with mean and nasty. I wanna be a follower of Jesus. When I look up the word follower I find this definition:
noun
1. a person or thing that follows.
2. a person who follows another in regard to his or her ideas or belief; disciple or adherent.
3. a person who imitates, copies, or takes as a model or ideal:
4. an attendant, servant, or retainer.

I wanna be a copier of Jesus. I don't wanna be in some club where I can brag to people that I am in in, I soley want to live and serve Christ. Many Christains believe that because they go to church on Sunday, have been baptized, and tithe that they are good Christians. Good club members yes, but good Christians.... good follower of Christ... maybe. To follow Christ means you give up your life and devote it to growing the kingdom of God. Its more than fulfilling requirements or paying dues. It is sacrifice.

I haven't seen much Christain sacrifice in my ten+ years of ministry, because sacrifice is hard. The definition of sacrifice I like is this: the surrender or destruction of something prized or desirable for the sake of something considered as having a higher or more pressing claim. What have you sacrificed lately? Have you ever really sacrificed for Jesus?

I have seen a few people lately that I know sacrifice for Christ and it has been truly refreshing. One of my teens is giving up a sport to be able to devote more time for ministry. One couple I know is tithing more than they ever have before on faith that God will provide for the shortfall... and He is providing the difference. But unfortunatelly these are not the norm they are rare.

In college I saw people sacrifice for their faith. I saw people pray seven times a day at the same times each day. I saw people give up pork and fast for 40 days during football two-a-days, but none of these people where Christians. One was Jewish and two were Muslim. Why is it that religions who don't know the one true living Savior, have adherents who sacrifice and follow but Christianity is comprised on a majority of club members?