"So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them." (John 13:12-17)
Life in Christ isn't like Minecraft, where 'your' world can be structured however you imagine it should be. Life in Christ, to be life in Christ, must be structured to reflect the love of Christ. It meets other people with love, remembering the complete and utter darkness in which Christ met you. In love of God and the neighbor it balances high standards (truth) with unmerited favor (grace) while carrying the pain of others' incompleteness, just as you are incomplete until you are with the Lord. All the while, life in Christ engages in continual re-form in self and for others: ultimately toward His likeness and immediately toward the best contextual use of His gifts. As the master, so the servant.
"Believer" or "Christian" are terms that mean something specific even though they are often self-defined and used to label individuals, organizations, and ideologies. The Biblical definition is an undeserving recipient (Roman 3:9-12) of Grace (Ephesians 2:8,9) and Truth (John 17:17) perfectly balanced by the sacrifice and righteousness of Jesus Christ. Self-defined labels might make people feel good, but they have no power. The question is whether one is Christian in the art of self-definition or by a new nature in Christ?
