Are You That Kind of Christian???

Saturday, mid-end of my vacation week, was spent with church family at an outdoor Christian concert out of town. Many acts were scheduled through out the day but thanks to heat hotter than the gates of Hell and torrential freezing down pours we only got to see about half. I did however, send a lot of time observing my fellow Christians. Yes, I am that Christian! Always looking for the stereo-typical Christian. WARNING: The following sentences will contain descriptions of people I saw. These descriptions are not judgements - just observations. There were people raising there hands worshipping during music and those shopping but obviously listening. 

There were people helping others and those in deep, spiritual prayer and conversation with God. Some just walked from booth to booth looking for more information from colleges, vendors and churches. There were some dressed in conservative, prescribed attire in accordance with the doctrine of their faith tradition.

And those of us that dressed with one sole purpose - to be covered but cool (as in not sweltering). 

Did I mention that it was really, really hot!

Some may have missed the memo on "covered."  (Sorry no pictures allowed for this one!)

We Christians come in all different shapes, sizes, ages, customs and worship styles. There really isn't that stereo-typical Christian.

What does this mean for we Christians that profess to believe in the same God, the same religion and follow the same Christ? 

It means that we are different in how we live out our faith but what is important is that we have faith in God through Christ and through the passion and guidance of the Holy Spirt we actually do live out that faith.

Being Christian doesn't mean we dress a certain way, we raise our hands (or don't raise our hands) when we praise, we live in a third world country giving our lives in mission or we sculpt our hair in a slick, tall hair do and passionately preach warnings from the pulpit. Only two things are required to call yourself a Christian; connection and compassion.  John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Movement used the terms "piety and mercy".  Jesus called it "loving God with all you have" and "considering others with the same priority you would give to your own life." Also known as the Great Commandment mentioned in three of the Gospels, Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30 and Luke 10:27

Concentrating on what we "look like" can mess up our witness to the world. JW  in as early as the late 18th century wrote this very warning. "If we place our progress in religion only in outward observances, our devotion will quickly be at an end." 

How many times have we made a judgment about someone's depth of faith based on what they wear or how much they do for the church or worse yet how and when they pray? It is that they do! Do what you ask? Pray - Look to God - Go to God - Go to others - Reach Out - Love Real. Bishop Robert Schnase describes our life in Christ as living with "praying hands and dirty fingernails." Or in more Victorian terms; Piety and Mercy. Thank you John Wesley.

Christians live their life in Christ by loving the Lord with all they have at their disposal, prayer, meditation, fasting, study, worship (aka piety). But is there more? Do we - can we love God in a more complete way; with our WHOLE heart? WE can! By loving His people. Some people call them external spiritual disciplines (or mercy); evangelism or sharing the love of Christ into the lives of others, being a great steward of God's resources so that we all have plenty, serving others or loving your neighbor as yourself. 

So what kind of Christian are you? The one that gives all he has for those undeserved by the world? That lives simply so others may live? That gives of their times and hearts to all those in need of help and support?

Or are you the type of Christian that is inside the church every time the doors are open and the first to rush the altar to pray? Do you spend hours upon hours praying and meditation upon the Holy Word of God? 

Which are you? YOU SHOULDN'T BE EITHER! Really!!! For real!!!

Following Christ (the true definition of being a Christian) requires BOTH praying hands AND dirty fingernails. 

"Acts of mercy and acts of piety are like wings of a bird; without either one, we cannot fly." Martyn Akins of the British Methodist Church.

Can't you just love the Lord - or can't you just be great and giving to others? Not really. Nor can you help others without "attending to the ordinances of God"; a fancy way of saying remembering the sabbath, keeping it holy, talking AND listening to God, studying to know more and living of life connected to the Body of Christ. 

So you need to be in church, praying, worshipping, studying - WORKING TO STAY IN LOVE WITH GOD! Without that you cannot be effective in leading others to Christ - you will only be loving with your inadequate, human love instead of God infused love. 

But you also cannot just attend church, pray, read devotionals at home and have a getting to a point where you feel you and God are like this:

Beeeecaaauuusssee if you and God are that close then you would know He wants you to love other with His love. If you don't know then you must not be listening.

So... Go...Be... that kind of Christian! This kind:

This is my friend Jenn at the concert. She is in shorts, hands raised but holding Apple Pie soda and an alien balloon animal for our precious youth that ran to go talk to a college rep. Always serving - always loving - always praising!