I remember many years ago as a new Christian and years proceeding that some people, especially those without a deep relationship with Christ thought being a Christian meant being timid, mild, weak. I remember these people saying that Christian’s were easily led, “brain washed”, or even children, as well as immature adults, use the word “sissy’.
However, don’t think for a moment that a Christian is weak, mild, timid, or simpletons. Some of the smartest, wisest, and toughest people I know are on fire, blood bought, wide eyed, sanctified strong Christians. Even in the bible, Kingdom work had to be accomplished and achieved by some of the most violent men of God that would make many men tremble these days.
Some if not many people see or think of Jesus as this soft, mild young man with feathered hair blowing in the wind while petting sheep, and telling stories to children. For those people, I am not sure if they read the same bible I do, understand the times of those days, and how Jesus truly spoke, taught, led, and loved.
Of course Jesus was humble, he loved well in not just words, but in actions and deeds. He had great empathy, and compassion. However, He also had great passion, strength, and was a carpenter’s son over 2000 years ago. Walked mostly wherever He went. Taught, led, and kept in line a bunch of men from varying backgrounds including tough, wild, and strong headed fishermen. He also spoke with great authority and called the Pharisees & Sadducee a descriptive name that fit well under that engagement he was having with them at that time, which was “Vipers”. He also threw over some tables and chased the greedy money changers with a whip. And there are not too many people, or any at all that I know that could have handled the beating, 39 lashes with a whip intertwined with sharp stone, shards, and glass, and the crucifix on the cross while telling our Heavenly Father to “forgive them for that know not what they do.”
Johnny Cash’s quote is much more profound than some may realize.
“Being a Christian isn’t for sissies. It takes a real man to live for God — a lot more man than to live for the devil.”
I know this to be true. Think about it. It’s easy to slip into the ways of the world. Be tempted by sin and fall into it. It’s easy to skip church, not attend a bible study, not read your bible. Not make time for prayer or think it is trivial. Basically not striving to seek a relationship with, or live for God, and not fulfill the Great Commission by making Disciples who make Disciples.
I have been ridiculed, called names, and at work, at one point I was given the name “Preacher Boy”, and “Alter Boy”, and called “Jesus Freak.” I was not invited to events, parties, and even passed up for several promotions in my younger days. I have also been called a Hypocrite, and a Heathen not just by those who didn’t know Christ, or wasn’t churched. This would happen by “churched folks” Yes, unfortunately in all of our humanity, some “Christians” and “churches” can have a tendency to “eat their own.”
Now I grew up in what people have called, “a rough part of town”, or “the other side of the tracks”. So I have been called many names, been in my fair share of self defensive fights, and developed a rather thick skin at a young age. So much of these words, or actions by others I treat as if I am a Bobble Head Duck. I simply nod, and let them roll off my back. Besides, I considered it an un-worthy honor to be even called a “Preacher Boy’, “Alter Boy”, or “Jesus Freak.”
However, if my life, livelihood, family, close friends, loved ones or humble abode is threatened, I am capable, well trained, and well equipped of unleashing some violence that has not been seen by many, maybe no one at all. I like much of what Jordan Peterson speaks upon, and this is one of my favorite quotes by him, “A harmless man is not a good man. A good man is a very dangerous man who has that under voluntary control”. Now this is biblical, and I have plenty of scripture to support it if you do not believe me.
Yes, being a Christian is not for sissies as Johnny Cash spoke. It takes more of a man to take a stand for what he believes in. To take a minority position for what is moral, sound, and true, verses what is popular, even by the majority. To strive to walk in a relationship with Christ every day, make disciples who make disciples. To be courageous in the midst of a world that ridicules him, discounts him, and passes him up, or tosses him aside for being foolish, timid, or brain washed…
However, although it isn’t easy, or “isn’t for sissies”. It is good. It is joy. It’s eternal salvation. It is blessings more than our minds may be able to comprehend, and sometimes may never, until we are home with the Creator, Father God Almighty. We were created for a relationship with God. It is our free will that chooses to or not.
And my answer to some whom may say it’s foolish, or fantasy. My answer is that I would rather be a fool, believing a fantasy while living a good life, with morals, integrity, and living by an admirable Code, and be wrong in my beliefs when I die; than believing contrary, or otherwise, and be wrong when I die. You see if I am wrong, I lose nothing when I die. If the other is wrong, they lose everything for eternity.
Personally, I like, and will take my odds, I love my life, and I love God, love people, and live on mission.
Shalom.
