Changing One Life, Reaching Many....

What Does A Christian Look Like?

Beautiful One, what does a Christian look like? I suppose the answer is not as simple as the question itself.

This last week I watched the drama unfold in the life of Mel Gibson. Like many others, I was somewhat dismayed and discouraged at the events surrounding him. The one thing I can safely say about Mr. Gibson's present circumstances, is, as awful as they may be, I despise the cycle he has gotten himself that have aided his actions, if they are true.

Beautiful One, many good people do bad things. The old line,"hurting people, hurt people," may sound like a cliche, but it is very true.

How can a Christian man who had been married for almost three decades, raised seven children, and produced a movie glorifying God (The Passion of the Christ), be sitting before us in the court of public opinion battling the woman who had a part (along with him) in destroying his first marriage?

How did this man get to where he is? Has the body of Christ yet endured another black eye?

If he were really a Christian, would he be in this mess? Is it possible to belong to the Lord while living a life that is a chaotic mess? Would a real Christian do and say hurtful things? The answer is yes.

What Does A Christian Look Like? Part ll

Beautiful One, ask anyone what a Christian looks like, and the majority of the responses will be about outward signs and behaviors. But, no matter the response to this question, the fact remains that not one single answer can rightly define what a Christian looks like.

Being a Christian isn't about outward appearances, although outward changes are visible. But if being a Christian is about outward appearances, our Christian status is up to the interpretation of observers. What if someone misinterprets behavior? Or, what if someone who does good has an off day? Should their behavior disprove their Christianity?

Let's take a closer look.

Jesus said that they (the world) will know us as Christians by the love we have, one for another (John 13:34-35 NIV). The world will know, by love, not behavior modification. Do we realize that "right living" does not mean we are Christians? There are many people who do not believe in Jesus as Lord, but live and act more better than some Christians. I guess you could say, the proof is not always in the pudding; its in the love. It's in the heart. Being a Christian is not about our good works, it's about faith. Christianity is not about cleaning up your act, it is about a God who came down and already cleaned it up for you.

Now, don't let this confuse you, but faith without works is dead faith, so I am not saying don't try to live a life of integrity. We reach for the prize, we strive for excellence, it is our aim to grow, and being a Christian will produce a motivation within us to do right. It will also inspire us to work on changing things within ourselves. It's a life long process, and one that needs close connectivity to the outlet of the Father.

So many people, believers and non-believers have the idea that a Christian is one who is so good that they never fail, cheat, lie, steal, or have a bad day. The fact is, our position as a Christian is secure, but we will constantly wrestle with our condition, behaviors, and issues of life! Have you ever noticed when a Christian fails, people are right there during the lynching? They are judging, and even more angry at a Christian who falls, over any other person because they have a skewed imagination of what a Christian is supposed to look like.

Maybe Christ didn't get into the do's and don't s because he knew that being a Christian isn't defined by behaviors. Christianity is defined by love. We can see this with the Ten Commandments. I haven't met a person yet who has followed every one of them, have you?

The Poem....

"It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishment the scroll. I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul" English Poet, W. E. Henley

Beautiful One, recently the movie, Invictus, came out. This movie is about Nelson Mandela, the President of South Africa, who was imprisoned for almost thirty years. Thirty years! He hadn't committed a crime; he was not violent, nor unjust. He simply believed in what he said, and was willing to take a stand. But, that stand cost him dearly. That stand landed him locked up behind bars for the better part of his life. Or, did it?

What could have destroyed this great man, actually made a good man, an even better man, and an even greater leader.

How is this possible? 

Early on, Mandela made the decision that although his body was locked up, there was something he possessed that no one could touch. It had no chains, not one single bar encased his most powerful ally--his mind.

Today, as well as in times past, two kinds of people are imprisoned. Those who deserve to be, and those who don't. Plain and simple.

Beautiful One, there are so many people who are paying heavy, because they carried life too lightly. For whatever reason they forgot life was beautiful, and meant to have meaning. Maybe no one bothered to love, teach, and guide them. They grew up embittered and calloused, and sought payback on the streets. Which among those in chains now,  valued the truth that actions do have consequences then? How many wasted their youth, fooled around, played by the fire and eventually got burned?

What about the true victims of prison life--the innocent? Yet, no one believed them, and were unfortunate to be unable to prove it. How can we neglect noticing the millions of people who are forgotten, abused, and often killed because of unjust rulers, and crooked systems? They are serving time, like Mandela, for a crime they didn't commit.

What fascinates me about prison life, is that there are many who are so regretful. Once that steel door shuts, and the lights go out, the reality of their freedom fades away. Many are remorseful, and even weep beneath the darkness that covers them. There is no doubt in my mind, that once faced with the consequences of their actions, the weight is almost to much to bear.

Knowing how they took life for granted is one thing, but knowing that their children, and families will now suffer alongside them, I honestly just cannot imagine how that must feel. Maybe you have a loved one who is imprisoned, if you do then you are quite aware that a sentence has also been imposed on you as well. Some may not care, selfish and self centered, they will not change. But there are more than we know, who would love to reverse the pages of time and have the chance to do it over again, right!

Beautiful One, you don't have to be locked up physically to be locked up. If your mind is not free, then how can your body fellowship in freedom? Likewise, you can be locked up like Mandela, and be freer than most who live outside in the world.

One of the most profound scenes in the movie is when Mandela shares with a young man what got him through those dark days in prison. He made the statement that "a poem helped him stand, when all he wanted to do was lie down."

A simple poem. Words, ink on paper, helped sustain a man who watched days bleed into years. Words that he rehearsed in his mind, day after day, until he believed what he heard.

Sometimes in life, when we are in a season of bondage, or darkness, or when the unjust actions of ourselves or others have lead the way in our lives, we need to go-to the one thing that can sustain us. Words, ink on paper, you know what I'm talking about--the Word of God!

It is written that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. (M  athew 4:4 NIV) It is also written, "Do not lean on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge him, [the ONE true God] and He shall make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV).

Beautiful One, no matter what imprisons you, you can be free! Maybe some of us have had to learn the hard way. Maybe some of us are locked up because we acted a fool, but so what! We all act a fool. The important thing to ask ourselves is are we going to learn from our mistakes, or be a fool who keeps repeating them?

Its never too late to turn around. You're never too old to learn a simple truth. And you're never freer than when God's poem, means more to you than your daily bread!  

We cannot change what happened yesterday or reverse the mistakes of today. Anything done apart from God is destined to fail anyway. Knowing that God can release us from any chains that bind us, may we like Mandela be able to say:

"It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishment the scroll. I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul'

Beautiful One, just believe, and learn the Poem of God's heart--His word!

What about the true victims of prison life--the innocent? Yet, no one believed them, and were unfortunate to be unable to prove it. How can we neglect noticing the millions of people who are forgotten, abused, and often killed because of unjust rulers, and crooked systems? They are serving time, like Mandela, for a crime they didn't commit.

What fascinates me about prison life, is that there are many who are so regretful. Once that steel door shuts, and the lights go out, the reality of their freedom fades away. Many are remorseful, and even weep beneath the darkness that covers them. There is no doubt in my mind, that once faced with the consequences of their actions, the weight is almost to much to bear.

Knowing how they took life for granted is one thing, but knowing that their children, and families will now suffer alongside them, I honestly just cannot imagine how that must feel. Maybe you have a loved one who is imprisoned, if you do then you are quite aware that a sentence has also been imposed on you as well. Some may not care, selfish and self centered, they will not change. But there are more than we know, who would love to reverse the pages of time and have the chance to do it over again, right!

Beautiful One, you don't have to be locked up physically to be locked up. If your mind is not free, then how can your body fellowship in freedom? Likewise, you can be locked up like Mandela, and be freer than most who live outside in the world.

One of the most profound scenes in the movie is when Mandela shares with a young man what got him through those dark days in prison. He made the statement that "a poem helped him stand, when all he wanted to do was lie down."

A simple poem. Words, ink on paper, helped sustain a man who watched days bleed into years. Words that he rehearsed in his mind, day after day, until he believed what he heard.

Sometimes in life, when we are in a season of bondage, or darkness, or when the unjust actions of ourselves or others have lead the way in our lives, we need to go-to the one thing that can sustain us. Words, ink on paper, you know what I'm talking about--the Word of God!

It is written that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. (M  athew 4:4 NIV) It is also written, "Do not lean on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge him, [the ONE true God] and He shall make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV).

Beautiful One, no matter what imprisons you, you can be free! Maybe some of us have had to learn the hard way. Maybe some of us are locked up because we acted a fool, but so what! We all act a fool. The important thing to ask ourselves is are we going to learn from our mistakes, or be a fool who keeps repeating them?

Its never too late to turn around. You're never too old to learn a simple truth. And you're never freer than when God's poem, means more to you than your daily bread!  

We cannot change what happened yesterday or reverse the mistakes of today. Anything done apart from God is destined to fail anyway. Knowing that God can release us from any chains that bind us, may we like Mandela be able to say:

"It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishment the scroll. I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul'

Beautiful One, just believe, and learn the Poem of God's heart--His word!