Perhaps people try to live their lives by a definition, or by a couple definitions. “I am a father and husband,” is something I can use to define and guide everything I do and all that I am. But it is far too narrow to be a good guide. If I stretch it to the point where it can guide everything I am, then it is stretched to the point it is no longer useful.

Most people have quite a few definitions which define and guide, depending on the situation: pastor, friend, father, mother, son, daughter, employee, boss, competitor, etc. But really, these are all secondary and strictly local definitions which are shaped by the primary definition(s) one has for oneself. Christian, athiest, Muslim, Mormon, etc.

Definitions aren’t bad; they’re useful. Trying to live by the wrong one in a situation will cause all sorts of problems, though. Trying to be a wise-pastor-of-a-growing-church all the time is taking a local definition and applying it as a foundational definition of who-I-am.

“I am a Christian,” is a workable definition by which to live ones life because the thing which defines a Christian isn’t a single concept or a list of hard rules. A Christian is defined by a relationship, but not a relationship to an exclusive or narrow area of life. Christ, being God, is Lord of all Creation and of every situation, and a relationship with Christ impacts everything. When the foundational definition is right, then all the others will flow from it, and it will guide you to properly being a father, mother, pastor-of-50, pastor-of-5000, friend, president, or slave.