In light of Paul's story, and the other points made about personal change, what is a mark of authenticity that indicates real change in a person's life once he or she begins to follow Christ? In other words, what's an indicator that a person is truly serious about living the Christian life and not just treating it like a hobby?
(Maybe consider Jesus' descriptions of the different types of soil in the parable of the sower and the seed in Matthew 13)
MM
3 comments:
Although outward signs may be noticeable as we are changed by Christ, especially to those closest to us, I think we need to be careful not to judge the authenticity of others' walk. It may look like a hobby or not taken seriously but how can we know for sure...at least most of the time? The parable in Matthew 13 has a point and of course the seed in good soil has the best chance of growing well, but in reality we know there is more to it than good soil. To be simplistic, there is water, fresh air, sunlight, etc. Even a sincere Christian, growing in the good soil may have times of over watering or lack of sunlight. If we met them at this point in their journey would we judge them unfairly? I don't mean to belittle the wonderful changes we do see in those who have begun to live a Christian life because it is awesome to see. I am just not certain about we as imperfect humans putting labels on those we think may not be "real".
Kelly,
Maybe a lot of times our conclusions about people are more trustworthy in the positive than the negative. For example, it's usually a sign of genuine rebirth, (and great cause for rejoicing) when a person who's lived most of his/her life in ignorance of Jesus, and who has habitually lived in ways Jesus tells us not to, comes to profess faith in Christ and shows a changed lifestyle to match. In such a case, I think we are safe in concluding this person has become a Christian.
On the other hand, if someone is purposefully, continually behaving in a way that's contrary to Christianity--and, obviously, if he says he doesn't believe--then we know this person is not a Christian. But we don't know that he will never be, or if, in some unseen way, he is even now in the process becoming one.
The chapter called "Morality and Psychoanalysis" in C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity gives a lot of clarity on this topic. Here's a great quote:
"Human beings judge one another by their external actions. God judges them by their moral choices...When a man who has been perverted from his youth and taught that cruelty is the right thing, does some tiny little kindness, or refrains from some cruelty he might have committed, and thereby, perhaps, risks being sneered at by his companions, he may, in God's eyes, be doing more than you and I would do if we gave up life itself for a friend."
I agree totally. We certainly don't want to miss rejoicing for those who have lived without Christ and have found him. Having read Mere Christianity, (loved it) I remember that quote. So true. We do judge each other by our actions and I constantly have to stop myself from judging too harshly, reminding myself of my own imperfections and trying to remember that even those whose actions are not
consistent with Christian teaching are not loved any less by God. He wants them too and rejoices in every step taken towards him. Pretty awesome.
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