What does a Christian look like?

We have a good Christian friend who was taking a class at the U, who reported to us that her instructor had made a comment something to the effect, “Watch out for those Christians, you can’t trust them.”

Our friend’s responded, “Can you tell who they are?” To which the teacher replied, “Oh yes, you can.”

I believe that, as Christians it is possible that the world sometimes misunderstands our Christian faith and beliefs. For example you may hear someone say, “Those Christians are just a bunch of hypocrites.” To which I would answer, “Indeed I am. I wish it were not so. I wish I could be more like Christ. I wish I never failed him, yet I know I do.”

Well, aside from someone telling me they are a Christian, I would say that Christians (all too often) look pretty much like everyone else. I recently read the following poem which perhaps best describes what I mean:

“When I say that ‘I am a Christian,’ I am not saying that ‘I am clean living.’ I’m whispering ‘I was lost, but now I’m found and forgiven.’

When I say ‘I am a Christian,’ I don’t speak of this with pride. I’m confessing that I stumble, and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say ‘I am a Christian,’ I’m not trying to be strong. I’m professing that I’m weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say ‘I am a Christian,’ I’m not bragging of success. I’m admitting I have failed and need God to clean up my mess.

When I say ‘I am a Christian,’ I’m not claiming to be perfect. My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I’m worth it.

When I say ‘I am a Christian,’ I still feel the sting of pain. I still have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say, ‘I am a Christian,’ I’m not holier than thou. I’m just a simple sinner who received God’s grace somehow.”

Perhaps Ephesians 2:8,9 reveals some of the nature of a believer in Christ: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not of yourselves, it is a gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Indeed, though we are forgiven, we must not use that as an excuse to sin, but recognize our sins, repent of them and strive daily to do better.

We are called to “Be in the world but not of the world.” Sometimes this is easier said than done.