Do you identify yourself more often by your religious denomination or by being a Christian (a follower of Jesus)?
I personally associate more with Christ-follower or Christian than associating myself with my denomination. Why? Because my denomination is not the only way to God.
Jesus is the only way to God.
Who am I to restrict God’s work to one or a few denominations? I believe God can and does call anyone anywhere to Himself.
Hot take: as a Christian, it’s not your job to condemn another denomination. This applies to our neighbours in the church and our neighbours outside the church. God alone is our judge. Who are we called to love as our neighbour? Jesus makes it clear in the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:29–37 that our neighbour is anyone around us, regardless of their gender identity, race, ethnic, religious, or socio-economic status. Read that again if you need to.
I think if you identify yourself more often as a [insert your denomination] than as a Christian, that’s a red flag and could use some examination on why you more quickly associate with and dwell on your differences with someone from another denomination than with your similarities of being a fellow Christian. The same could be said about relating to ANY human being—we are all sinners in need of a saviour. That is some serious common ground.
Romans 8:1-2 says “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” Who are we to say who is in Christ Jesus? Yes we can see fruits, but we cannot see the heart—the personal relationship with Christ—and Christ is after the heart.
Jesus is the only way to God.
one body
one Spirit
one Lord,
one faith,
one baptism,
one God and Father of all. --- I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Ephesians 4:1-7 | ESV