The world loves labels. It's in human nature to want to understand things by categorizing as many of them as possible. We have a place for forks, knives, spoons, magazines, keys, etc. What's sad is when we allow the same thing to be done to the church.
 I am not a "fundamentalist" Christian, even though I believe in having a good, solid understanding of the essential teachings, aka fundamentals, of the Gospel. I am not an "evangelical" Christian, in spite of my agreement with the need to "go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature". I am not an "orthodox" Christian, but am grateful to have a strong establishment of faith. My favorite one? The label of "conservative" Christian...those two things aren't always together; in fact, that's probably more true than it's ever been!
 But like it or not, the world has a hat rack and we have been lulled into allowing it to customize hats for us to hang on it. And like good little kool-aid drinkers of the zeitgeist crowd, many Christians have bought into the idea that they need to select one. So if we are to assume this is true, which one might an individual presume to be correct for himself?
 Let's review the options available to us:

• The fundamentalist "hat": "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." - 2 Tim. 2:15(KJV)
• The evangelical "hat": "He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.' "- Mark 16:15
• The orthodox "hat": "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." - Col. 2:6-7
• The conservative "hat": "If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully." - Rom. 12:7-9

 Having trouble deciding which one fits you best? There's a reason why: all of the "hats" above are universal commandments. That means they are given to every believer to obey! When we get deceived into the idea that we are called to wear one hat or the other, we lose track of just how full our calling really is and end up being pigeonholed. While every Christian is given certain specific spiritual gifts that emphasize a particular form of ministry, this does not excuse or preclude us from being used in other areas from time to time.
 I am pleased to say that all I am, all I need to be, is a Christian...no hats, no categories. A child of the living God encompasses all facets, yet belongs in none. Paul describes for us the most essential component of our identity in Christ Jesus:

 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. - Eph. 2:19-21

 This Sunday is Veterans Day...if you cross paths with someone that wore a military hat of any form, serving and sacrificing for our great country, I encourage you to thank them for their service. You will be a blessing to the identity you represent by recognizing theirs.