Stylin' and Profilin'

I looked up the definition for "profiling" online:

profiling

noun

recording a person's behavior and analyzing psychological characteristics in order to predict or assess their ability in a certain sphere or to identify a particular group of people

Source: WordNet (r) 2.0



Today I've been thinking about "profiling" Christians. By profiling, I mean: How do we identify a person that is a Christian, without him/her telling me that he/she is one? What does a Christian look like?

I'm fairly certain that if I asked ten random people off of the street to describe a Muslim, a Hare Krishna or a Buddhist they could come up with a couple physical characteristics to describe what they think a follower of Allah, Krishna or Buddha looks like (I'm sure that some responses would be unfortunate stereotypes derived from the "average Joe's" limited desire to learn more about other cultures and religions). What would the answer be if I asked the same ten people to describe a Christian?

Personally, when I try to describe the physical attributes of a Christian the first thing that comes to mind is glasses. I think of heavy, black rimmed specs on a Christian male, and cats- eye frames on a Christian female. This probably comes from growing up in a Southern Baptist church, and all the corresponding religious art that was found in our weekly Sunday School lessons and bulletins, and that was thumb-tacked to the walls of our classrooms. As a kid, I thought everybody going to heaven looked like a 50's teenager--men had hair parted to the side and wore Buddy Holly specs, and the ladies had a bouffant or a beehive hairdo with glasses like Cat-Woman on the old Batman TV series. As I grew older, I thought that Christians looked more like Jerry Falwell, Jim and Tammy Faye Baker, or even Jan and Paul Crouch. Eventually, I came to realize that most people that call themselves Christians are actually not physically distinguishable from the rest of American society. They fit right in, and don't stand out at all. If asked to pick the average Christian out of a line-up of ten random men or women right off the street, it would be impossible.

As Christians, we are to be identified by our actions, not by our appearance. The question becomes, "Which actions?" What do you think our line-up of ten random people would do if we told them to act like a Christian? How many would start preaching or praying? How many would point their finger like they were disciplining someone, or accusing them of some wrong-doing?

How many would give another person a hug?

Ouch.

In my experience it seems that most people think it's easier to identify Christians by what they don't do: they don't drink, they don't cuss, most of them don't dance, don't socialize with unbelievers and they don't have fun.

I'm fine with someone not being able to identify me as a Christian by my appearance. What I don't like is the idea that they may try to identify me be what I don't do. It can't be a good thing to be identified by a long list of negatives. I'd much rather be identified as a Christian by the positive actions that I do take.

I do believe that there are certain actions that a Christian won't take. I know that in my last post I discussed that Christianity is not defined by the rules we do or don't keep. My circumcision or possible lack thereof does not make me a Christian. But, there is a progression to the Christian walk. Once I have accepted Christ as my savior and have subsequently been filled with the Holy Spirit, that same Spirit will lead me to live a life pleasing to God.


The book of Ephesians, and in particular chapter 5, gives some excellent insight from Paul in regards to living a Godly life. It start off with a little list of do's and dont's:

Do's

1. Do...Live a life filled with love for others. (Ephesians 5:2)
2. Do...Be thankful to God (verse 4)
   
3. Do...Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. (verse 10)
4. Do...Be careful to live as those who are wise (verse 15)
   
5. Do...do good every chance you get. (verse 16)
6. Do...Try to understand what the Lord wants you to do. (verse 17)

Don'ts

1. Don't...Live a life filled with sexual immorality, impurity or greed (verse 3)
2. Don't...Participate in obscene stories, foolish talk and coarse jokes (verse 4)
3. Don't...Take part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness (verse 11)
4. Don't...Live as a fool (verse 15)
   
5. Don't...Act thoughtlessly (verse 17)
6. Don't...Be drunk with wine (verse 18)
   

Then, the ultimate do...

Do...Let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. (verse 18)

Then the rest of the chapter speaks of the things we will do as a result of letting the Holy Spirit lead our lives:

We will:

1. Sing songs, and hymns and spiritual songs (make music to the Lord in our hearts) (verse 19)
   
2. Always give thanks to God for everything in the name of His son, Jesus (verse 20)
   
3. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (verse 21)
   
4. Wives will submit to husbands (verse 22)
   
5. Husbands will love their wives (verse 25)

All of the dos, don'ts and wills listed in Ephesians 5 result from our love for God, our love for our neighbors, and our willingness to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Thus, the book of Ephesians perfectly compliments the book of Galatians, instead of contradicting it. These actions are not required in order for us to become Christians. Rather, they are the outward signs of our Christianity. We perfect our walk as we follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit and exhibit Christ's love for the rest of the World to see.

They will know that we are Christians by our love.

God help me to show my love for you to the rest of the World. God give me the strength to love others as you have loved me. Thank you God, for your Spirit and the guidance He gives. Help me listen to His voice. Help me to progress in my Christian walk--to learn to do, don't and will in accordance with your Word. God, I know I am not perfect, but please work your perfect will in me.