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Have you or someone you know ever been criticized for not fitting the Christian mold? (Hopefully, you haven’t been the one doing the criticizing.) And by that, I mean not dressing, doing church (worshiping, praying, witnessing), or acting and reacting the way a Christian “should?” Since, by definition, a Christian is a person who believes in Jesus and follows his teachings, then a true Christian is one who strives to conform to the image of Christ and not to people’s opinions. If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, believe that He is the only way to heaven, live a life in obedience to His word, and are drawing people to Him, then you are a Christian even if you don’t “look” or “act” like what others think you should. Now granted, the Bible is clear that a tree is known by its fruit and that trees that bear bad fruit are to be cut off, but a careful exegesis of this passage reveals that it refers to trees that consistently bear nothing but bad fruit. Just because an apple tree bears a couple of bad apples doesn’t stop it from being an apple tree nor do you automatically go and chop it down. Every Christian is a like a tree that needs to be pruned every now and then. And yes, we are called to judge (admonish) one another when we veer off track, but it must be done in love, with respect, and with the purpose of bringing us back into a right relationship with God.
The Lucap Lighthouse may not fit the mold of a typical lighthouse especially when compared to those whose staircases are inside the tower, but the fact that it was designed and built to be a beacon makes it a true lighthouse nonetheless. You may not fit the mold of a typical Christian (whatever that is) especially when compared to others who may appear to be more pious, but if you follow Jesus and His light shines through you then you are a Christian nonetheless. However, right now you may find yourself in the dark as a result of sin or even a trial. In other words, you may have some bad fruits on your tree. If you do, don’t allow the voice of guilt or religiosity to condemn you. Just cry out to Jesus and cast all your burdens upon Him. Confess any sin you may have allowed to dim His light within you and receive the forgiveness of your heavenly Father. Remember, you were saved to shine His light not to fit a mold.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank you because I have been fearfully and wonderfully made by You. In spite of my weaknesses and shortcomings, I am a new creation and I rest in the assurance that I am your child by faith in Jesus Christ. Remove anything that may keep your light from shining in and through me. Help me to walk in your righteousness and let my heart stay true to you. May I continue to conform more and more to you and you alone. In Jesus name I pray, amen.
“…THE LORD DOES NOT LOOK AT THE THINGS PEOPLE LOOK AT. PEOPLE LOOK AT THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE, BUT THE LORD LOOKS AT THE HEART.”” -1 SAMUEL 16:7
“JESUS REPLIED, ‘ANYONE WHO LOVES ME WILL OBEY MY TEACHING. MY FATHER WILL LOVE THEM, AND WE WILL COME TO THEM AND MAKE OUR HOME WITH THEM.’“ -JOHN 14:23
“WHAT BUSINESS IS IT OF MINE TO JUDGE THOSE OUTSIDE THE CHURCH? ARE YOU NOT TO JUDGE THOSE INSIDE?” -1 CORINTHIANS 5:12
“BROTHERS AND SISTERS, IF A PERSON GETS TRAPPED BY WRONGDOING, THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE SPIRITUAL SHOULD HELP THAT PERSON TURN AWAY FROM DOING WRONG. DO IT IN A GENTLE WAY. AT THE SAME TIME WATCH YOURSELF SO THAT YOU ALSO ARE NOT TEMPTED.” -GALATIANS 6:1 (GWT)
“IF WE SAY WE HAVE NO SIN, WE DECEIVE OURSELVES, AND THE TRUTH IS NOT IN US. IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.” -1 JOHN 1:8-9
-ALL SCRIPTURE IS QUOTED FROM THE NIV EXCEPT WHERE SPECIFIED.
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