Defining the Good Christian
Colossians 2:20-23
“To be a Christian does not mean to be religious in a particular way, to cultivate some particular form of asceticism … but to be a man.”
—LETTERS AND PAPERS FROM PRISON
It is always easy to attempt to typify a Christian as a person who has certain religious habits and commitments. Depending on which group the Christian belongs to, this behavior will be differently defined. Some groups cast spirituality in world-denying terms. Others, rightly, emphasize a world-engaging perspective. But the problem underlying both approaches is that we set up a checklist for determining who is a good Christian. Such lists are inevitably too constricting and eventually lead to a narrow legalism. It is doubtful if Jesus Himself would make it on some of the spiritual checklists we have created.
Meditation
Out of the central commitment of faith in Jesus Christ, different men and women will work out their commitment in very different ways. In this diversity, they will reflect something of the fullness of Christ.
What is your prayer thought for today’s lesson?