BE WHO YOU ARE

      My four-year old great-nephew likes clothes, costumes, toys, and other items associated with popular “super heroes” such as Batman, Spiderman, and Super Man. Currently, Spiderman appears to be his favorite inasmuch as he wore a Spidey costume at his birthday party a few weeks ago.     

      While having a conversation with this smart and perceptive young man recently, I suggested that I wanted to be a particular super hero. While indicating rather emphatically that my choice was not acceptable, he proceeded to lay claim to that particular character. I asked, “Well, who can I be?” When he responded “You can be Batman,” I replied that I did not want to be Batman. He then offered, “You can be Spiderman.” Although I realized that he was making a pretty big concession by allowing me to take on the persona of his favorite super hero, I responded “I don’t want to be Spiderman.” I continued by asking “Who can I be?” My wise and rather grown-up 4-year old great-nephew simply stated, “Just be who you are.”

      Reflecting on this charge from the “mouth of babes” led me to ask “Who am I?” According to Scripture, I am a lot of things. As a Christian, therefore, I offer the following summary both as a response to this question and as a reminder to myself and to others. Specifically, I am…

 

• Created by God in his image as the crowning work of His creation (Genesis 1:1; 1:26-27; 1:31);
• A new creation in Christ and reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:17-18);
• Holy and blameless in God’s sight (Ephesians 1:4; Philippians 2:15);
• Adopted as a child of God and a joint-heir with Jesus (Ephesians. 1:5; Romans 8:16-17; John 1:12);
• Redeemed and forgiven by the blood of the Lamb (Ephesians 1:7; John 1:29);
• Saved by grace, through faith, from sin, for service (Eph. 2:8-10; Hebrews 9:14);
• Sealed and empowered by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13; Acts 1:8);
• Blessed by God (Genesis 1:28; Psalm 84:5; John 12:13; James 1:12; Ephesians 1:3);
• An overcomer (1 John 5:4-5);
• A witness for God to the world (Acts 1:8);
• An ambassador for Christ charged with delivering a message of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19-20);
• A disciple of the Lord and a disciple-maker for Him (Matthew 28:18-20);

      While the biblical characteristics of a Christian noted above may not be recognized as qualities of a “super hero” in the eyes of a sinful world, I am confident that Christians who “live a life worthy of the calling that you have received” (Ephesians 4:1) will be known as Christ’s disciples by the love exhibited (John 13:35). When you live as a “super hero” for Christ, the contrast between your actions, attitude, words, and deeds with those of contemporary society will surely cause amazement leading others to take note that you have been with Jesus (Acts 4:13). With the great “Let Others See Jesus in You,” B.B. McKinney presented a snapshot of being who you are in Christ when he wrote:

            While passing thro’ this world of sin, And others your life shall view;

            Be clean and pure without, within, Let others see Jesus in you.

            Your life’s a book before their eyes, They’re reading it thro’ and thro’,

            Say, does it point them to the skies, Do others see Jesus in you?

            Let others see Jesus in you, Let others see Jesus in you;

            Keep telling the story, be faithful and true, Let others see Jesus in you.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for saving my soul! Thank you Lord for making me whole! Thank you Lord for giving to me, Thy great salvation so rich and free! May I represent you well as I champion the gospel to a lost world. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you. May others see Jesus in me and may I strive continually to introduce others to you. Amen.

                                    Daniel