If you've ever gone shopping in a big city like Manhattan, you've been approached by one of those people. You know the ones I mean.
"Pst. Hey, lady! I got a real nice Gucci handbag over here. Most places will try to sell it to you for waa-ay too much; just for you, I'll give it to you for $80!"
You and I both know that what he is selling is NOT a stylish new Gucci purse.
It's fake. It might look like the newest fashion, but it's just not right. Somethings are obviously wrong, while other details are more discreetly altered. But no matter how you spin it, the bag is still a cheap, street-shop knock-off.
So here's my question. Are you a Gucci Christian? Or are you a just a knock-0ff?
The title of Christian was first bestowed upon the Christ-followers of the early church in Antioch. (Acts 11:23-26). This word literally means: little Christs.
To the world, we are to be, in the words of my pastor, "Jesus with skin on." We are to be set apart from the world. We are to bear the name of Christ, living as His sons and daughters -- the real deal.
The Apostle John summed up our calling better than I ever could.
Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is...-1 John 3:2
Some people only know us by our name. Christian. Some people will only see us out of church, in the places where we rarely wear our "Sunday best": the humdrum of the office, the glamorous aura of the big-city mall, in the teeming line at the airport.
When they look at us and see how we treat our waitress at the cafe, or the way we act towards the popcorn guy at the movies, what thoughts will fill their minds?
Will they walk away, shaking their heads and muttering, "Huh. She has a cross around her neck and a Jesus sticker on her car...but man, she really doesn't act any different than everyone else around her!"?
Or will they sit back and think for a moment. "Wow. There is something different about her; her life is living proof!"
Are we truly being Christ to the world -- Jesus with skin on?
Or are we just cheap knock-offs?
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I look at you and see all the ways a soul can bruise, and I wish I could sink my hands into your flesh and light lanterns along your spine so you know there's nothing but light when I see you. :: Shinji Moon