I hate labels.

I’m not talking about labels on food products, although I hate nutrition labels on most days).

I’m talking about labels that we give to people.

A couple of weeks ago, I received an e-mail that labeled me a “right-wing conservative.” It made me chuckle.

Granted, I am more conservative than many, but I would never call myself a “right-wing conservative.”

At the risk of disappointing and frustrating several people I respect and value, I don’t align myself with a political party.

I drew a few negative comments about my last column because I mentioned that our president had stated that the U.S. isn’t a Christian nation.

This wasn’t a knock on a political party. Any president who makes such a bold proclamation is going to raise my eyebrows, whether he be a donkey or an elephant.

I have concerns about the ideas of both parties from time to time; therefore, I simply vote for the candidate I believe best aligns himself or herself with biblical standards.

Before the last election a book came out titled, “How Would Jesus Vote?”

This book, along with “God and Politics,” tends to sway me far more than any political campaign.

In my mind, elections should be as much about morals as money disbursement, but hey, that’s just me.

For similar reasons, I don’t tend to claim a particular denomination.

Now, before I frustrate several other folks whom I love dearly, let me make this clear: I am a Christian. I love Jesus. Period.

However, I’ve found that denominational labels can become distracting and divisive for some folks.

I understand that most Christians do claim a denomination to accurately portray their doctrinal beliefs and that’s perfectly understandable.

I realize that I’m in the minority because I choose to state that I’m simply a Christian.

Someone very dear to me calls this “plain-vanilla Christianity.”

I like to call it biblical Christianity.

Let me elaborate.

If I were stranded on a deserted island with someone who doesn’t know Christ, I would not try to convert him to the Catholic, Lutheran, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Church of Christ, Assembly of God, or Seventh Day Adventist faith.

I would simply try to teach this person about the life of Jesus. I would tell him about the blessing of salvation. I would share the joy of a personal relationship with Christ.

This is my calling.

My desire is to know the Bible, forward and backward and to live out a life that exemplifies what it teaches.

In my experience it is so easy to get caught up in the particulars of a denomination that we forget the simplicity of our faith.

I just want to live by the basics.

I want to study Greek and Hebrew, understand the Word in context, and apply it to my daily walk.

If the Bible condones an action, I want to condone it. If it opposes an action, I want to oppose it.

It’s that straightforward to me.

If we study the Word, there are very clear answers for our questions.

For those topics that are not explicitly mentioned, a knowledge of God’s character and the Holy Spirit can guide our behaviors and decisions.

We are told in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (NKJV)

This passage doesn’t say that parts of scripture are given by inspiration of God. It doesn’t say that the Old Testament or the New Testament is given by inspiration of God.

It says that “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God.”

Therefore, I am going to take every word to heart, and I’m going to believe that each author and each passage has value.

I cannot let my own agenda, either political or religious, alter my perspective of God’s Word.

I can’t pick and choose which authors or scriptures I like, and I can’t pick what I choose to believe and live by.

By faith, I must believe all of God’s Word and I must live by all that it teaches.

I can’t add to it and I can’t take away from it to fit my preferences or lifestyle. This isn’t an option.

Deuteronomy 4:2 states, “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.” (NKJV)

Until I reach heaven, I will continue to struggle with fleshly thoughts and desires, but I realize that while I am on earth, my focus must remain on keeping God’s commandments so that I may become more like the character of Christ.

I must seek to live like him, love like him, serve like him and extend grace like him.

I don’t want to be like a world leader or a movie star or a famous author. I want to be like Jesus. I want his agenda to be my agenda, his desire to be my desire, his will to be my will.

And if I get labeled “Jesus Freak,” “Bible Thumper” or “Holy Roller” for these desires, I suppose I’m okay with these terms.

I may not like the negative connotation behind the label, but I will take the implication as a precious compliment!



Misty Shultz holds master’s degrees in marriage and family counseling and Christian education. She can be reached at mmenos_7@yahoo.com.