Truth, Justice, and the Christian Way

June, 2004

by: Walt Bertelsen

Want to be a model?

Those of us who grew up in 1950’s and 60’s America remember the image: the “man of steel,” standing strong and ready, feet planted firmly apart, hands on hips, confident yet gentle look, cape snapping in the breeze, American flag in the background.

He was, to us, the genuine hero: ready at a moment's notice to lead the fight for “truth, justice, and the American way.” Then came a morning in 1959: “Superman found dead; man of steel felled by self–inflicted gun–shot wound.” Suicide? Superman? It must be wrong!

To the generation destined to get lost in the jungles of Southeast Asia, the heroes fell with devastating repercussion: a promiscuous President, the “Great Society” run aground on the shoals of race hatred and snipers' bullets, American ideals tied up in body bags. Even sports heroes said, “Lady, don't make me a role model for your kid.”

Is there anyone to look up to anymore? Christians have One they can look to without fear of ever being let down: “Looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb 12:2). Men will let us down. “The heart is deceitful… and desperately wicked” (Jer 17:9).

What to look for in a model discipler

So how can I find someone that I can trust to guide me in growing in my Christian walk? Paul wrote a great truth that we must remember first off: “Be imitators of me as I imitate Christ.” (1 Cor 11:1) You follow the Christ–likeness manifested in a man — not the man.

On another occasion, Paul wrote about the character of the servant of Christ. You can look for, and expect to find a discipler growing in these areas (2 Cor 4:2-18):

• “We have renounced… underhanded ways.” You will find the man you want to imitate to be honestly holy, above–board, transparent, refusing to compromise truth.
• “We refuse to tamper with God's Word.” He handles God's Word fairly, without compromise, unvarnished — you will find him applying the Word in every area of life.
• “We commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.” His consistent, truthful and righteous dealings in spiritual and worldly matters leave no red flags waving in your thinking. There is an internal witness to your conscience. You will find this manifested in on–going contact over time.
• The Gospel is not “veiled.” (v 3) He is concerned that you have right understanding of a relationship with God, and of the way to the knowledge of the Holy One.
• “We proclaim not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves your servants.” (v 5) He has a heart to serve you, not pushing his own agenda.
• His heart “gives the light of the knowledge of the glory of God.” (v 6) He seeks no honor for himself, but only for God.
• “We have this treasure in jars of clay” (v 7). He recognizes his own weakness and desperate need for dependence on God in all things. The humility is real.
• “Always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.” (v 10) Trials reveal his servant–hood, his abiding joy, and the reality of Christ in his life.
• “So death is at work in us, but life in you.” (v 12) He conveys an abiding attitude that his sacrifices for you are for your spiritual benefit and bring him joy.
• “We look not at the things that are seen, but to the things that are unseen.” (v 18) He has an eternal perspective on events around him and the circumstances in his life.

You will not find any man who perfectly fits these criteria. But it is God who makes men competent to be his servants (2 Cor 3:5-6). “Follow me as I follow Christ.”