What Does A Christian Look Like?

What does a Christian look like?

It’s a simple question, but a rather difficult answer. If I would have asked what does a [Jew, Muslim, Catholic, Jehovah’s Witness, Buddhist, Sikh, Etc.] look like you would have instantly brought up images of distinct clothing and practices. A Christian though, that’s a hard one. Should that be the case? Are we, as the chosen people of God, a Holy Priesthood just a bunch of average joes?

Matthew 5:14-16

 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.¹⁵ Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that^[a] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

This is one of those verses in the Bible that you could study for months on ends and still learn new things from. I want to share with you 3 points that glare out at me in this verse.

1 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.^”

             The Purpose of a light is to be seen.

2 “Let your light shine so before men that they might see your good works”

             The “light” here is something very tangible, not just an idea.

3 ”[that they might] Glorify your Father in heaven.

             The tangible things that THEY see must point directly to our God.

1. Are we seen by all men?

The answer to that in our current state is absolutely not.  It’s no secret that we are a tiny group, for everyone one of us in the Church of God there are 250,000+ people on earth who don’t have the knowledge of God that we do. The Church has long done a very admirable job of delivering the Gospel to the world. For such a small group to get magazines, booklets, tv, radio and internet broadcasting out is no small task and God has blessed that effort, BUT the reach of this work is by no means sufficient.

We have no public individual identity, our presence to the world at large is just a few dozen leading men.

As much as these men have done in their roles, to the rest of the world we (the membership of the body of Christ) don’t exist.

Are we (the membership of the Body of Christ) here on earth for the sole purpose of monetarily supporting a church? Is the creator of the universe low on funding?

Obviously, we in the church are not called at this time to “save ourselves”, that can easily be recognized by the 2^nd resurrection. If Everyone on earth is going to get the opportunity for eternal life in God’s own family, then a 1^st resurrection with no special use would be a waste.

We aren’t left in darkness on what our calling is,

Ephesians 2:10

^“for we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

I really don’t think it is possible to get the world’s attention and to be literally Hated by ALL nations without miracles, but I’ll get to that later.

2. Do we have good works?

As humans, we have some shared basic physical needs. We need Food, Water, Shelter, and Clothing. These are things we all need to survive and sadly across most of the earth these exact things are in short supply. Yet, even closer to home, in our own countries, states, cities, towns and own church congregations some of these things aren’t readily available to all.

These needs don’t go unnoticed. Countless groups led by Atheists, Humanists, Pagan Churches, Billionaire Investment firms, Hippies, Tree-Huggers, Muslims, Buddhists, and even the LGBT community organize themselves to at least TRY to help their fellow man. Some to better results than others.

Sadly, no such organization of abilities, funds, and goods exists among the Church of God. That’s a really sad thing to me.

When I was young, I wanted very badly to be a hands-on part of The Work, and I know many others who have felt the same. However, the idea of a “pray and pay” Christian has taken hold of a large part of the church to the extent that, by our lack of works in general we declare that our only job in this life is to “pray and pay”. God the Father and Jesus Christ have NEVER intended that to be the case. From cover to cover the Bible plainly states that there are WORKS:

James 2:14-17 

¹⁴ What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? ¹⁷ Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

1 John 3:16-23 

¹⁶ By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. ¹⁷ But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

¹⁸ My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. ¹⁹ And by this we ^[a]know that we are of the truth, and shall ^[b]assure our hearts before Him. ²⁰ For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. ²¹ Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. ²² And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. ²³ And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave ^[c]us commandment.

Acts 20:35

I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’

Deuteronomy 14:28-29

At the end of every third year you shall bring out the tithe of your produce of that year and store it up within your gates. ²⁹ And the Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are within your gates, may come and eat and be satisfied, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.

Isaiah 58:7-11

Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

⁸ Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward.

Matthew 25:35-40 

for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; ³⁶ I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? ³⁸ When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? ³⁹ Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ ⁴⁰ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

James 1:27 

Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

Psalm 82:1-4

God stands in the congregation of the mighty;

He judges among the gods.

How long will you judge unjustly,

And show partiality to the wicked? Selah

Defend the poor and fatherless;

Do justice to the afflicted and needy.

Deliver the poor and needy;

Free them from the hand of the wicked.

Proverbs 14:31

Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker,

    but he who is generous to the needy honors him.

Proverbs 22:9

Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed,

    for he shares his bread with the poor.

Proverbs 19:17

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord,

    and he will repay him for his deed.

These are all examples from your own Bible, these are the things that we, as the body of Christ must be doing.

And what about Miracles?

3. That they might Glorify your Father in heaven

Many church people lament the lack of healings and miracles present in the church of God today. We read from Christ’s own words that at the end time, which we believe we are, regular people like you and me will do EVEN GREATER miracles than He. 

Could it be our fault that we don’t have miracles? We are admonished many times over to stay in a state of self-evaluation so let’s consider our condition.

First, we should look at what exactly it was that Christ DID. We know that Christ “preached the Gospel”, that was long before prophesied. In what way though, did He preach? The answer is Many, He preached in many places and ways, but I want to emphasize one way that doesn’t get too much press, and I believe nearly ALL of Christs preaching was done this way. Through ACTS OF SERVICE.

Consider all the healings, all the miraculous feedings, making water into wine for a host that was panicking, even physically removing animals and people from the Temple. Throughout the entire physical life of our savior He DID things. In a very literal sense, He brought the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to the world BY performing tasks that were needed.

It is certainly true that divine miracles of healings, and raising the dead aren’t commonplace at the moment. Perhaps we should try to emulate our Elder Brother. I started by asking what a Christian “looks like”, by definition we should “look like Christ”. We should be a group of people out doing the things that Christ did. I submit to you that the miracles will come.

Matthew 25: 14-30 (The Parable of the Talents) Christ closes the parable with some very powerful thoughts (vs 28-30)

²⁸ So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. ²⁹ For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. ³⁰ And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

This makes me think of my own business, if I have an employee who for whatever reason is not willing, doesn’t care, is not concerned with, doesn’t understand the necessity of  “little things” like cleaning the floor after making a mess, or putting tools back into the right spots, would I send that guy out as a journeyman?

We may not be able to feed 5000 people by miracle, but we CAN buy groceries for a person who’s hungry. We may not be able to raise the dead, but we can help a suffering family by taking care of their physical needs while they grieve. We may not be able to heal the sick, but we can help with the medical costs. We may not be able to cause a giant plant to grow to shade someone, but we can help fix their house. Who’s to say that those miracles that WILL BE DONE before Christs return won’t end up happening by the very hands of those men and women who are doing all these “little” things and wishing, hoping and praying that God gives them the ability to help more?

In the Church of God we are aware that coming soon, a distinction will be made in heaven that will have very dire consequences. In Matthew 24 and 25 Christ goes into great detail about this separation of sheep and goats, or two men in a field, or 10 virgins. We know at some point God will divide those that aren’t and those that ARE DOING his will. 

Matthew 25:5 Is a very powerful verse to me, and I truly believe this is the exact point in time that we are now. “But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept” It has indeed been much long than we all expected, our personal lives are pretty comfortable. We’re not personally in a great deal of danger, I think were asleep. I also hope this letter will be a type of Vs.6 where He Says “But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’.

Verses 10-13 should really make us shiver, because there is a tremendous consequence for not being ready.

And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

¹¹ “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ ¹² But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

¹³ “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

My hope is that by reading this letter and studying the topic for yourself that we can organize ourselves together. Start small, by yourself, take care of a small need and taste the blessings God offers to those that DO his commandments (Proverbs 19:17). Then get a friend or two and take on a bigger need and fill it. Then get your congregation involved and take on a mountain of a need. There are such small groups scattered around, I know because I’m a part of one, and I can tell you from personal experience in trying to practice this way of life a few things to help you get started.

1.                   It’s not convenient, for a long time my wife and I said things like “when we get the money”, or “when we have time”, these are just excuses. I had to learn from experience that you JUST DO IT. You will never have the time or the money, but God will provide.

2.                   It’s expensive. Romans 12:1 says that we should present ourselves as Living sacrifices. In order to fill other’s needs, it will cost you some of your own time/goods/money/energy.

3.                   There are uncountable blessings. Mr. Richard Ames has said for decades that God’s promises have to be “claimed” and that has certainly been true in my experience. I encourage you to read through all these scriptures and see the promises God offers for doing His work and get on your knees and boldly claim them.

4.                   Pray for more ability, our little, but growing group of people has been able to tackle some rather large

projects not because we’re rich, or smart, or even talented but because we all pray God gives us the ability to make a difference and fill specific needs.

5.                   Make use of church announcements and social media to get help, explain the need, make a plan to fill it and don’t be shy about recruiting.

6.                   Needs and help don’t HAVE to be within the Church of God. There are many needs within the Church, and they should certainly be met, but consider the context of the Parable of the Good Samaritan, the entire world is “our brethren”. One of the most profound moments in my experience has been explaining needs and plans to fill them to non-church people and having unconverted people volunteer their service.

We are all looking for the same ending. We all want the same thing, but we can’t have it just by wanting it, we must Live a life of service to our fellow man. I assure you once you start, you’ll have a much better grasp of “narrow is the way and difficult is the path..” but the ownership of the Gospel is worth so much more than the difficulty. There is a profound validating peace that comes from doing God’s work that I wish we could all feel. If you share my feeling of wanting to be a hands-on part of preaching the Gospel, please, try this and prove to yourself what it is that Christians should look like.

Revelation 19:7

^“ Let us rejoice and exult

    and give him the glory,

for the marriage of the Lamb has come,

    and his Bride has made herself ready;”

-Seth Forrestier , July ‘19