Why I am not Christian in Progress

Lately, I've heard the term "Christian in Progress" thrown around a lot, particularly as applied people my age or newly born Christians. Here's why I don't like that term:

I strongly believe that people are either Christians or NOT Christians. There's no in between. There are no "levels" in Christianity. I'm really firm on this because I spent a lot of my life believing that there were levels of Christianity. That there was such a thing as "bad," "good," and "saint-like" Christians. And it's true, people show and treat their relationship with Christ differently. But that does not make them a better Christian than I am. My relationship with God is unique from everyone else's. That is the beautiful thing about being a Christian: I have a one-on-one, intimate relationship with my man God and no one else has the same relationship that I do.

Next: Every Christian should be "in progress." If you are not in progress, you are in serious trouble and really need to examine your life. Unless you are the Messiah returned, you are not perfect. I can 100% guarantee that. As such, we should constantly be examining and evaluating our lives and finding ways in which we can better serve Christ. We should never be satisfied. There should never be a point in our day in which we say, "Well, God, I've done enough. I am definitely carrying the cross around on my back and You have grown me in every way possible and I've got no more growing to do." If I ever say that, or, God forbid, believe it, I hope that He strikes me down with lighting, looks me directly in the eye and says, "You silly chit. Hush up and stop sinning!"

So no, I am not a "Christian in Progress." I am a Christian, and I am in progress, yes. But I'm not half of a Christian. I am a whole Christian wholly saved by Christ, constantly trying to serve Him and begging Him to open up my heart for more. And that is why calling certain people, or types of people, "Christians in Progress" really bugs me. So stop. (:

Over and out.