When I was a teenager it bothered me greatly the number of "hypocrites" in the church. What disturbed me even more was how sinful we believers were even after salvation. I yearned to be totally sanctified (without dying, of course). I didn't get the whole point of the war with our spiritual and fleshly being, thinking that salvation should not only wash us clean but keep us that way as well. (Yes, I know that's not even possible with clothes, but I'm just telling you some of my thoughts from a few decades ago.)
So imagine my surprise when I get to chapter three of the book being read by the CBC Ladies' Book Club. (Because He Loves Me by Elyse Fitzpatrick) The thought of us stealing Christ's identity was both a surprise and enlightening. On the one hand, it's both neat and exciting that we identify with Christ enough for people to call us "little Christs" (what the word Christian actually means), but at the same time it explains why people get so disgusted when we mess up...they really want Christ. And while we can model our lives after him (or steal, borrow, use, or imitate his identity, if you will), the reality is: we are not him. Perhaps that is why the word hypocrite is thrown so loosely and freely at the church. People are seeing traces of Christ, and mistakenly think they are actually seeing him. When our true broken nature comes out, they are disappointed. It makes you want to hide, which is also a new concept for me.
Hiding is something children do. The very idea of hiding behind someone or something seems cowardly and childish. And yet that is what we are supposed to do with Christ...hide ourselves in Him. It's a very different image from what we're taught as children. Songs such as "Onward Christian Soldiers" come to mind...images of bravely pushing onward despite of everything around you. The prophets of old taking on thousands of unbelievers...but we're supposed to hide?
Books that challenge our focal points aren't easily found. Fitzpatrick has a way of expressing things that is forcing me to re-evaluate some basic principles and assumptions, which isn't a bad thing. How cool would it be if at the end of a year or two of reading and devouring the contents of this book, our personalities were so radically altered that others would think we had a new identity?
So imagine my surprise when I get to chapter three of the book being read by the CBC Ladies' Book Club. (Because He Loves Me by Elyse Fitzpatrick) The thought of us stealing Christ's identity was both a surprise and enlightening. On the one hand, it's both neat and exciting that we identify with Christ enough for people to call us "little Christs" (what the word Christian actually means), but at the same time it explains why people get so disgusted when we mess up...they really want Christ. And while we can model our lives after him (or steal, borrow, use, or imitate his identity, if you will), the reality is: we are not him. Perhaps that is why the word hypocrite is thrown so loosely and freely at the church. People are seeing traces of Christ, and mistakenly think they are actually seeing him. When our true broken nature comes out, they are disappointed. It makes you want to hide, which is also a new concept for me.
Hiding is something children do. The very idea of hiding behind someone or something seems cowardly and childish. And yet that is what we are supposed to do with Christ...hide ourselves in Him. It's a very different image from what we're taught as children. Songs such as "Onward Christian Soldiers" come to mind...images of bravely pushing onward despite of everything around you. The prophets of old taking on thousands of unbelievers...but we're supposed to hide?
Books that challenge our focal points aren't easily found. Fitzpatrick has a way of expressing things that is forcing me to re-evaluate some basic principles and assumptions, which isn't a bad thing. How cool would it be if at the end of a year or two of reading and devouring the contents of this book, our personalities were so radically altered that others would think we had a new identity?
Comments
I tried commenting on your last post but it didn't go through- anyway- maybe you can start selling eggs:) Seriously, if you start getting a lot, I'd buy some from you:)