Is There a Difference between “Saved” and “Christian?"

Is there a difference between “Saved” and “Christian?” What do you think?

I’m not writing today to get into some philosophical debate, but I believe there’s a disconnect between people of faith, people in church, and how the world views "Christians."

The difference may even be the reason why some people are turned off by faith.

Questions pop up all the time like, “Who’s doing it right?” or "Why are they doing this if they believe that?"And I get it, because sometimes the Christians that the world sees act one way in church, and one way in the streets.

Yet, in reality, so much of Christianity is about what happens in private. I asked my friend, a pastor, about this question and he said this: The only thing required to be “saved” is to acknowledge the price Jesus paid for our sins and believe in Him. But it’s through Salvation that we can become Christians. It’s through our belief that transforms us into something new.

Sometimes the Christians that the world sees act one way in church, and one way in the streets.

This was huge for me to get my head around. Our journey doesn’t end when we meet Christ, – that's only the beginning. This also helped me receive grace for myself and to extend grace to others.

So many Christians have different convictions when it goes from issue to issue. The Bible is clear about a lot, but life can get pretty nuanced. I like to ask myself this question: “Is this sin? Or is this just stupid?” It’s funny but it’s real. Some things in life might not necessarily be sins, but that doesn’t make them smart. And part of becoming like Christ is to stop trying to get as close as we can to sin, and to start trying to get as close as we can to wisdom.

It’s through our belief that transforms us into something new.

Dating apps or not? One drink or two? To smoke or not to smoke? So many Christians are walking their own journey and navigating life with the power of the Holy Spirit, but it all comes down to conviction. Are you close enough with God to recognize His voice when He is giving you the red light? How about the green light? Some of us are only focused on knowing when the Bible says, “Stop,” that we can’t hear God’s voice say, “Go!”

At the end of the day, it’s about understanding who you are in Christ, nobody else. Trust in the Lord, not yourself (Proverbs 3:5-6) and walk in the authority Christ has given you. Stay open to His correction for your life and know your limits; also be open to His guidance and not just His correction. Start listening for God to give you direction before you move, not after.

Becoming like Christ is to stop trying to get as close as we can to sin, and to start trying to get as close as we can to wisdom.

How do you know when God is telling you something isn’t for you? How do you know when God is telling you what to do? Let me know in the comments.

And as always,

Live love,

Ty