If this topic of Christ Follower vs Christian resonates with you, you may want to read my more personal reflection on why I no longer call myself a “Christian.” In that article, I share how the word has become tangled with culture and politics in ways that don’t reflect the heart of Jesus, and why I’ve chosen to identify simply as a follower of Christ. You can also read more on Mark Longs post Christian or Christ Follower?
Christ Follower vs Christian
When many people hear the word Christian today, they don’t immediately think of Jesus. Instead, the term has become entangled with politics, culture wars, and loud voices that often speak more about power than about the gospel. This has left many outsiders confused about what Christianity truly represents.
That’s why the question of Christ Follower vs Christian is so important. Are we defined by a cultural label shaped by politics, or by a daily walk with Christ that reflects His love, humility, and truth?
Today, the term is tangled up in politics, culture wars, and loud voices that often sound nothing like Jesus. Somewhere along the way, “Christian” became more about identity in a tribe than identity in Christ. And that’s not the faith I want to model.
Christianity’s Public Perception
Over the years, the public perception of Christianity has shifted dramatically. The term Christian is often associated with:
Political platforms or national movements.
Cultural battles fought with anger rather than compassion.
Voices that condemn loudly but rarely demonstrate grace.
For many, Christianity has become less about Jesus and more about a cultural identity. The tragedy is that this perception obscures the true heart of the gospel.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Christ Follower vs. Cultural “Christian”
The Christ Follower
Anchors identity in Jesus, not in political power or tribal loyalty.
Lives out the fruits of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23, ESV).
Points others toward Christ through humility and sacrificial service.
The Cultural/Political Christian
Uses faith as a banner for control, influence, or dominance.
Reduces the gospel to an ideology, not a living relationship with Christ.
Leaves outsiders confused about who Jesus really is.
Why This Difference Matters
When Christianity becomes welded to politics or culture wars, the message of the cross is distorted. Instead of seeing Jesus as Savior, people see Christianity as another tribe fighting for power. But the gospel was never about building earthly empires.
Jesus Himself told Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36, ESV). His mission was to redeem and restore, not to establish control through worldly systems.
If we lose sight of this truth, we risk losing our witness.
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ
Reclaiming the Witness of Christ
The church must return to the simplicity of discipleship. Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35, ESV).
That means showing the world that being a Christ follower is not about:
Winning debates,
Defending cultural systems,
Or shouting the loudest.
It is about faithfully living in step with the Spirit, even when it cuts against the grain of both politics and culture.
Closing Thought
The world doesn’t need another cultural movement flying a Christian flag. What it desperately needs is Christ followers who reflect the humility, love, and truth of Jesus.
The label Christian may be tangled in public perception, but the call of Christ is unchanged: “Follow me.”
