Thought for the Month - October 2009

"Honest to God!" By Barry Adair

One of the main things that I aspire to and pray for is to be an 'honest to God' Christian.

To my knowledge, the rest of my family aren't Christians (Bible believing Christians). So if I am one of the few Christians around, then they should see something "different" in me. They should see a deep joy, caring attitude, total honesty, Godly patience, forgiving nature etc. (see Galatians 5:22-23). To my potential shame, the one area my Dad mentions that puts him off Christianity is the former dealings he has had with other Christians - or "so called Christians" as he calls them! OK, he hasn't mentioned me or my family directly but perhaps we have been less than 'fully upright' at all times around him.

Now I know that, this side of eternity, no born-again believer will become what our Creator wants us to become. However, we must watch our walk before our unbelieving family, friends and work colleagues. People do watch!

That reminds me of a story from my twenties. I used to help out at a Youth Club here in Belfast. Now they were a rough bunch of teenagers. There were problems with violence, drink, drugs and paramilitary involvement. Needless to say, their language wasn't exactly the Queens English! Anyway, I used to play football with a few of the older lads in the hall. On one occasion, after a heavy tackle, I swore loudly. Everything stopped! The noisy hall just stopped dead. I hadn't heard it that silent before with people in it. As a Christian, this was just not what was expected! Even weeks afterwards I was still being 'counselled' by the teenagers in the Club because of my foul language!

People do watch (and listen!) to everything we say and do. Remember what the Bible says about our responsibility in all of this…

So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. (Romans 14:12, NASB)

But what I really wanted to say is this…

To Christians: God is not finished with us yet. Just like in bringing up children, we will fail our Father often but maturity should bring us into a closer relationship with Him. This deepening relationship produces the desire in us to become more like Jesus. One in which we will serve Him as He ought to be served.

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6, NASB)

To Non Christians: Please do not expect to see perfection in any Christian or Christian church/organisation. To see perfection, look at Jesus. The only person ever to have lived a perfect life in this world and He ended up crucified to a Roman cross to pay for the sins of that world.

It is because I know that Jesus died for me, that I want to become an 'honest to God' Christian. And if you don't know Jesus as your own Saviour, please have a look at the link at the bottom of this page.

That's it for another month. I'll leave you with the words of a hymn that perfectly sum up this 'honest to God' Christian life…

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
Mould me and make me after thy will,
while I am waiting, yielded and still.

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Hold o'er my being absolute sway.
Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me!

Adelaide Addison Pollard (1862-1934)

Are you SURE that you have your place booked in Heaven? Read this if you're not!