What Does A Christian Look Like?

 I’ve been studying the Sermon on the Mount and reading a lot of Superman comics. Superman is a symbol. Christians are to be examples, salt, and light. 

What is a Christian supposed to be and look like?

What am I supposed to look like? 

The Beatitudes reflect what we’re supposed to be internally. 

We’re supposed to be aware of our spiritual bankruptcy, which causes us to mourn. However, we’ll get to see the Kingdom of God and be comforted.

Our strength is supposed to be controlled. That’s what meek means. We are to hunger and thirst for righteousness and right-standing with God. 

We are to be merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers. Not peacekeepers, but makers. Which is hard. It’s active, not passive. 

The Fruit of the Spirit is what the world should see. What would you think if you saw someone concerned for you, joyful, at peace, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and has self-control? (Galatians 5:22-23)

I would like to tell you I can check all those boxes. The boxes I can check are only due to the Holy Spirit indwelling me. He gives me my superpowers. 

That’s why these are called the fruit of the Spirit. We can’t pull it off on our own for very long. 

We could be the ultimate eagle scout, but then it’s nothing if we do good without love. It’s the motivator. It’s a special kind of love. 

What if you met someone patient and kind. They were never jealous, boastful, or prideful, or rude. In fact, they put others first and aren’t easily provoked. They didn’t keep track of the times they were wronged.

They rejoiced when right and truth won out over injustice. This person never gave up, never loses faith, was always hopeful, and endured through every circumstance. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

Jesus commands us to love and unselfishly seek the best for one another. (John 15:12) 

When we do this, we become a light in the world. 

We hide our light by: 

1. Being quiet when we should speak (after getting all sides).
2. Going along with the crowd.
3. Denying Jesus.
4. Letting sin dim our light.
5. Not explaining our light to others (it’s Jesus in me).
6. Ignoring the needs of others.

Like Superman is a beacon of hope and light in the comics, every one of us Christ-followers should be light in the real world.