Comic Book Christianity?
Some Christians are like Superman. Superman puts on a disguise and pretends to be Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for the Daily Planet. Like Superman, some Christians put on a disguise to hide the fact that they are Christians in the eyes of the world around them.
Some Christians are like Batman. Bruce Wayne, millionaire philanthropist by day, puts on a costume by night in order to appear as Batman, striking fear in the hearts of evil-doers. Like Batman, some people put on a mask of Christianity in public to make others believe that they are good Christians, but in private they do not behave like Christians.
We know that God wants us to be Christians both inside and out, day and night, every day of the week, every week of the year. Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." But becoming a Christian both inside and out takes practice.
There is a saying in martial arts that it takes ten thousand repetitions for the body to learn to respond automatically. In the same way, Sanctification takes practice. The Bible does not assume that we are instantly mature Christians the moment we are baptised. It teaches us that we have to continue to practice doing good until we are truly good, both inside and out.
We read, "applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in moral excellence, knowledge; and in knowledge, self-control, and in self-control, perseverance, and in perseverance, godliness; and in godliness, brotherly kindness, and in brotherly kindness, love. ... for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble. (2 Pet. 1:5-7,10b)
So, when we wake up in the morning, if the first thing we do is "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ," (Rom. 13:14), we should also remember that we have already "put on the new self," (Eph. 4:24), the night before. There should be no time of the day that we are not practicing the love of God.
Logan Cowart
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