Am I a U.S. "Christian" or am I Christ's namesake?

These days, the label "Christian" has almost as many differing definitions as the number of experiences, philosophies, moods and emotions that affect a person's perspective toward God at any given time--each definition being a unique figment of an individual's imagination of the kind of god they think is worthy of their faith and allegiance. These figments may not be cast in gold, but they are idols just the same.

     "...But Jesus isn't like that. ...Not the Jesus that the Bible speaks about. The name Jesus isn't a
     free floating term that can mean whatever we want it to mean. It's a name that has content and
     substance. And that content and substance is given to us from the Old Testament." (Steve Timmis)

     “If you can think about God any way that you want to think, if you can picture God as it were, in 
     accordance with your own imagination instead of thinking God’s thoughts after Him, then you are
     Sovereign over God. If the God of Heaven & Earth is only as sturdy & unchangeable as your
     opinion, He’s in big trouble. And we have a whole generation encouraging us to idolatry in
     precisely that area.” (Ligon Duncan)

As a result, many people who call themselves "Christians" are...not. Then, there are also the "Christians" who continue to conform to the pattern of the world and do not live as a new creation--free, content, full of love, grace, mercy, joy, hope and purpose--and look no different than a non-Christian. Then there are the "Christians" who show off their morality but hide their sin, who do not acknowledge their sinful ways, who hide their confession and repentance, hide their need of salvation, and portray righteousness rather than a sinner in need of grace. Then there are the "Christians" whose love and service for people is contingent on their comfort and/or convenience. Which one am I? Well, which day is it? I'm guilty, too.

The result =

We, who are supposed to be light, blend in with the darkness.

We, who are meant to be salty, are sour and leave a bad taste in people's mouths.

We, who are created to give off the fragrance of the knowledge of Him, stink.

We, who are ambassadors, misrepresent the Kingdom of God.

We, who are CHRISTians, do not act like Christ, our namesake.

Here is a quote from a convicting documentary I saw on Netflix called Beware of Christians. (This documentary is what provoked me to write this.)

          "The single greatest cause of Atheism today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their
            lips and deny him by their lifestyle." (Brennan Manning)
 

Lord, it is solely by your grace that we are saved. And it is by your grace and sovereign power that you are able to use us to spread the good news of your salvation. We are not worthy, and we need your help to do it. Please continue to sanctify us, fill us with your Spirit, and mold us into your likeness. Please help me not to seek glory for myself, but for you, alone.