Are we Christians?

We were on the way home from church this afternoon, and my 7-year-old son asked me if we were Christians. He had heard something during children's church that prompted the question. So I gave him a short list of qualities I associate with being Christian ...

Having a relationship with God

Following Jesus & His teachings

Wanting to be more like Him

So, I asked if after hearing that, he thought he was a Christian and he said no. he also didn't think that I was, either. We talked about why but his answers were bewildering. He described what a "relationship" would look like and agreed that we both did those things, but he wouldn't budge that we weren't Christians.

I said that the label wasn't that important but that I was puzzled by his saying that he didn't think either of us had a relationship with God.

Eventually, we got to the bottom of it: he was afraid that if we were Christians, we'd get killed the way Jesus did!!

I quickly did what I could to allay that fear, but an hour later (we discussed it at dinner), I am still surprised at the things he finds to be afraid of! It tells me that a sense of safety needs to be a main target for healing.

Anyway, the verdict is in: he guesses we're Christians as long as it's safe!