What does a christian man look like?  Is there some kind of marking, clothing, or style of speach that sends up a flag or family crest that indicates some spiritual connection with Christ?  If there is… I’m needing someone to clue me in.

There was a time when I thought that wearing some type of cross indicated that an alignment with Jesus Christ existed.  As I have walked many miles in my faith, I have discovered that “cross” jewelry is no indication of faith.  Remember the WWJD bracelets?  I had one.  I wore it until it was frayed and kinda stinky… fearing that if I removed it, I would have no idea what Jesus would do, nor would anyone realize that I was a Christian man.

I am reminded of the teaching of Christ where he explained that you will know the condition of a man’s heart by the type of fruit he produces…good or rotten.  I’ve been around some pretty cool church guys who could say all the right things… but the product of their soul was rotten.  It’s not the show we put on… it’s how we act that tells the story.

If a man claims to follow Jesus Christ, then there will be evidence in his actions.  A man of faith isn’t perfect, he will make mistakes.  He won’t always look clean or be in the best place all the time, but when he’s down he will look up for Christ… and that’s the difference.  There is evidence in the acts.

Luke wrote about some pretty amazing guys in the book of Acts.  He shows us what a man of faith looks like.  He describes the normal, everyday joe and tells about his journey and the faith he carries.  The men of Acts weren’t polished, slick talking business men.  They weren’t supervisors.  They weren’t the poor and downtrodden.  These were ordinary guys living extraordinary lives.   They gave all they had to their faith and the church exploded because of them.

So how did you act yesterday?  Did your actions demonstrate that you believe that Jesus Christ has saved you from despair?  Are you carrying a grudge, bad talking people, using your mouth to cut people down and degrade them, cheating on your wife, being only concerned with yourself, neglecting to see the pain in the needy in your community? And the list goes on and on and on and on.

Claim your faith in Jesus Christ to more than just yourself.  Live a life that shows that He is the center.  Doing this will make you aware of some changes that need to take place.  It will also elevate the spirit of those brothers around you who are trying to figure out what a Christian Man looks like.

Hear this:  You will make mistakes.  You will kick out some rotten fruit from time to time.  Agree with yourself not to repeat those things, and challenge yourself to continually put out good fruit.  Bottom line… live like you believe in Jesus Christ… and you won’t need a cross pendant or a WWJD bracelet to prove it.

May you find peace in your struggle and may you reflect the teachings and the love of Christ on a daily basis.   This is what a christian man looks like… let’s act like it.

Peace,
Greg Arnold
Acts 4:31