A pretty open ended question.
Using only one noun, no qualifiers…….describe yourself.
Don’t think about it too hard…….don’t try to come up with the “correct” answer. Your first thought will be the most honest……and the most accurate. And in this exercise…….being honest with yourself is essential. What the other guy thinks……..what the other guy approves of……is meaningless.
This is an unusual exercise……..but it will tell you a great deal about yourself. On top of everything else, the answer will be correct……..because the answer will be how you define yourself……..and that is the only definition that really counts.
So…….fill in the blank.
I AM A ____________.
Liberal
Progressive
Conservative
Republican
Democrat
Heterosexual
Gay
Doctor
Teacher
Husband
Wife
Father
The list goes on……and on.
The answer will tell you where you spend more of your emotional energy than anywhere else. It will tell you what the most important thing in your life is. It will tell you where your heart is. And where your heart is…….will direct your destiny.
There is nothing more important in this world for you to know. Surprisingly……….most of us have never given it any thought.
There is one more entry to the list………Christian. I saved it for last because I didnt want to prejudice you………to give you my answer.
I believe that this is the most consequential of the choices. It is the most consequential…….because it reaches into every corner of your life. It shades every decision and action that you choose.
It is the most consequential……….because it is the only item on the list with eternal implications. If you answered “Conservative”……..Donald Trump is not going to save you. If you answered “Liberal”………Nancy Pelosi is not going to save you.
So…….what is a Christian……..how do you know?
A Christian:
Humbles himself………not before men…….but before his creator……..he puts God before self.
Acknowledges the reality of the living Trinity…..Father, Son, Spirit…….not simply as ideas…..but as living beings.
Follows the teaching of Jesus……love God…..love man.
Honors the crucifiction and accepts Jesus’s free, unearned, gift………..of paradise.
And there is one more thing……..a Christian is not ashamed of her faith.
That’s it.
So………if someone asks you……”What are you?”
Tell the truth.
“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
God, ESV
“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Jesus, ESV
“And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God”
Jesus, ESV