Interesting Conversations at the Front Door

Lately it seems that more and more folks are showing up at my front door wanting to talk religion. Most of the time I am in agreement with the door-to-door witnesses and I thank them for being bold in their faith. But regardless of the circumstance, I try to be respectful, cordial, and brief. Recently a gentleman confronted me with an interesting question. He simply asked, “Are you a Christian?” I answered in the affirmative then proceeded to share with him about my church and my position as a deacon. He reminded me that being a deacon doesn’t make one a Christian- a statement I quickly expressed my agreement with. His observation got me to thinking. If you could be a deacon and not be a Christian, perhaps you could be a lot of other things without being a Christian. So I have compiled a list of things people say and do that make them look and feel like Christians, but don’t by themselves guarantee a spot on a page in the Book of Life. Being nice to old dogs, stray cats, and pet hamsters doesn’t make one a Christian. Neither does treating the elderly with respect or being courteous to telemarketers when they call you at suppertime. If I keep my yard mowed, my truck clean, and my room picked up, that doesn’t make me a Christian even though there is some merit to the saying “Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” (If that’s the case I stand on shaky ground.) Reading Billy Graham’s column in the paper and forwarding all those inspirational emails without deleting them doesn’t make one a Christian anymore than gluing wings on a frog makes him a bird. Just because I don’t covet my neighbor’s wife, his lawn mower, his fishing boat, and his power tools- doesn’t mean I’m a Christian- though it might be evidence that I’m a fairly decent neighbor. Even though it’s a real good thing to do, giving money to the Red Cross, the Salvation Army bell ringers, the church, and the homeless person on the street doesn’t guarantee anything. Neither does knowing all the words to the National Anthem, the Battle Hymn of the Republic, most Christmas carols, and the latest song by Steven Curtis Chapman. (He’s got some great stuff, by the way.) Maybe we’ve come to believe that obeying the speed limit, tipping waitresses, and crying at sad movies, religious songs, and high school graduations makes us Christians. Sorry, no dice. But what if I’m honest on my tax returns and tell the truth about my kid’s ages when I’m in line at McDonalds or the movie theatre. Doesn’t that count for something? Yes, but it still doesn’t mean I’m a Christian. These thoughts were racing through my mind as my witness friend continued to ask me how I knew I was a Christian. When it came my time to speak, all the Christmas carols, telemarketers, tax returns, and the deacon stuff all vanished from my mind and simplicity reigned. “It’s all about the cross,” I said, “And the amazing grace that I’ve been blessed with because of it.” There was more- but having heard what he wanted to hear- my traveling friend smiled and said, “Blessings to you Brother, I’ll be moving on now.”