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Fort Gibson

Discussion

October 28, 2009

Portray Christ in life with your actions

Barrett Vanlandinghan/Fort Faith

“And just who do we have here?” That is one of the most common questions kids are asked every year when they go trick or treating. In fact, I spoke to 175 Intermediate Elementary students at “Kids for Christ” last Wednesday, and they were all more than willing to tell me who they were planning to be for Halloween. The answers ranged from “Batgirl” to “something scary!”

I reminded them that even though it's fun to dress up in costume, we all have an image we are trying to portray in real life, too. As Christians, we are to imitate Jesus.

I told the students that people know who you are by the way you act, by the things you say, by the way you treat people, by the places you go, by the music you listen to, by the movies you watch, and by the video games you play. The same is true for adults, isn't it?

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “By their fruit you will recognize them … (Matthew 7:16)”

I gave out bracelets with words on them such as ASAP: Always Say A Prayer, Wrapped in His Love, God Keeps His Promises, Jesus Love Me, and PUSH: Pray Until Something Happens. Then, I explained the words and talked to them about the importance of not only wearing Christ-like messages on their clothes, but actually making those sayings a big part of who they are.

As children become adults, they learn to put on the face of who they want to be.

We all do that to an extent, don't we? We put on a good face and even wear clothes or jewelry with Christian messages. We do it because that's either who we want to be, or who we want people to think we are.

But like they say, “Sitting in a henhouse doesn't make you chicken” anymore than putting on a good front makes you a good Christian. I knew a guy a few years back who would “go to church” three times a week, and he didn't even believe in God. It was a social thing for him. Strangely enough, he loved God's family even though he wouldn't acknowledge God.

So what does this mean to you? It's healthy to ask yourself everyday, “Who am I?” And then ask, “What am I doing that will insure my actions match my label?”

This week, just remember we were all made in God's image.

What you do with that image is your choice and your destiny. God bless you as you turn away from Satan's tricks, and towards God's treats.



Reach Barrett Vanlandingham at Fort Gibson Church of Christ, 478-2222 or ftgcoc_barrett@sbcglobal.net.

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