The Best Example of a Christian

Let your light so shine before men… – Mat 5:16

Who is the best example of a Christian? A ready answer we all have is Jesus. “Yes, Jesus”, many will aver, “Is the best example of a Christian”.

But, in the strictest sense of the word, Jesus is not a Christian! To call Jesus a “Christian” would be as logically absurd as calling Jacob an Israelite. An “Israelite” is a descendant of Israel; therefore Jacob (Israel) cannot be a descendant of himself. In the same vein, since a “Christian” is a “follower of Christ”, Jesus cannot therefore be a follower of Himself.

Who then is the next best person to exemplify, typify and epitomize Christ?

The Apostle Paul would have been a perfect choice considering that he wrote most of the manual of Christianity. But he definitely has nothing on the Apostle John. John isn’t called “the Beloved” for nothing you know. Come to think of it, he’s actually the first human being to be saved after the Cross! That ought to count for something.

And speaking of accounting for something, we can’t ignore St. James, the blood brother of our Lord. Coming from the same womb that nurtured and nursed the Saviour surely cannot be without some significance; (and being a leader of the Early Church and author of a Bible book doesn’t hurt either).

And where does this all place Peter?

Clearly, finding the best example of a Christian is going futile...

But that’s because you’re looking at the question from a wrong perspective. The shocking truth of the matter is that you – yes, YOU – are the best example of a Christian!

Paul, John and James are nothing but intangible characters to your neighbours, co-workers and people around you. If one were to ask them how a Christian behaves, they’ll think of you; if they were asked if they had ever seen a Christian, they’ll respond in the affirmative, because they have seen YOU. In a way that may be uncomfortable to you, the sum total of your personality is the sum total of what people conclude as “Christian”.

I know you're thinking right now, "this can't be true." But that is EXACTLY what every other “Christian” reading this devotional is THINKING as well!

So, if all of us are thinking the same thing, who then is the “Christian” the people of the world are talking about?

This of course is not trying to make you responsible for the collective reputation of all of Christians today. This is only to remind us that how we live right now goes a long way to shape the understanding of people of what “Christian” really means.

AMEN.

More Blessings await you today; you’ll not miss them in Jesus’ Name.

GREG ELKAN