the gate

To put it right out front, American Christians in general have put their relationship with Christ in terms of mental or internal spiritual assent rather than as part of their personal character. In reading through some of the surveys from www.barna.org I get the impression that what people agree as being part of their faith doesn’t relate to their daily actions. (Barna reported that 85% of Americans identify themselves as Christian and 13% believe the Bible guides them in their behavior, while 30% of Americans act on whatever feels comfortable in a given situation). What is called for is a theology of character. This is a theology of personal character that says that only by growing in Christ will my actions be completely true.

I guess the real impact of difference came home when I went to India for a visit. During my visit I had the chance to meet some followers of Christ and see how they connected with Jesus. I was confronted by the simplicity yet complete depth of their faith, the impacted emotion and commitment made by their declaration. I contrast this with what I have seen over the last twenty-five years of ministry care. Many Indian Christians are challenged physically. They are often alone in a community antagonistic toward them, hungry to encounter God with other believers, while being very grace giving and sacrificial in their meager abundance. At the same time, American believers are rarely noticed in their outward cultural behavior, satiated with books, conferences, and Christianize trinkets. Dare I say that too many American Christians are not convinced that they need to act out what has changed in their heart because of the spirit of God?

During my India travels in one of the larger cities, I met a widow who had recently lost her husband because of being believers. She was determined to return to the village where this happened. Why would a young mother with a four year old daughter want to return to the village where her husband was murdered? What makes a person to have such depth of character that they would place themselves in harms way? How did that determination come about? It can’t be the typical American mental assent that can be blasted away by clever words or logic. Is it in the relationship with God that expresses the Christ like character that desires to see those she loves come to the real realities of this life and the next that makes her live?

Anyone who doesn't breathe is dead, and faith that doesn't do anything is just as dead! (James 2:26 CEV)

Are you willing to answer the question with me? I must put the living character of Christ in me and then express that character through my actions. Lord, help those willing to grow into an active ‘character’ for Christ.

Daniel Forman
© 2005