What Are You Prepared To Do?

In the film "The Untouchables" released in 1987, Sean Connery, in the role that earned him the Best Supporting Actor Oscar, delivered what probably is one of the more memorable lines in recent film history. While in the throes of death in the arms of Kevin Costner's character Elliot Ness, Connery's character asked him in the face of the war being waged against Capone, "What are you prepared to do?"

I've been reflecting on that piece of cinematic dialogue for a while now in the context of my faith and belief in the One, True God. And the more I think about this question the more convinced I get that in everything that I do, I am sadly lacking in my commitment to the Lord.

So I ask myself, what am I prepared to do? Am I prepared to stand up for God's truth when confronted by the ways of the world? How about in the name of "grace"? Graciousness is a disappearing character trait in today's society filled with the "gimme, gimme, gimme" mentality of materialism and the love of the almighty (in my case) dollar.

And then there's "tolerance" and "acceptance". Ideally, these two should go hand in hand for how can you have one without the other. How can each stand apart from the other? And let's not forget "Rebuke". How far am I willing to make myself unpopular and "uncool" and act upon what I know is right instead of giving in to peer pressure or worst, censorship. How about "forgiveness"? Do we even know what that truly means or the sacrifice it entails?

Then there's the frustration that we experience daily. Some comes from the battles we've lost to the flesh. Others stem from observations, and yes judgments, of the motives of other brothers and sisters in Christ. And while we're at it, how much of this frustration is really all about the stoking of our all-important egos.

From the standpoint of a small group leader's spouse, how important are the "numbers" in terms of members, attendees, lessons learned, lessons unlearned, etc? Are these "numbers" an indication of the success or failure of the task at hand? Or are the "numbers" just another ego-assuaging indicator more akin to fame, popularity and the unconscious desire to be likable in the mistaken impression that likability is a factor in becoming an effective teacher or imparter of the Gospel.

Then there's my whining the last few posts alluding to my personal feelings of uselessness in the Body of Christ. I defined as the a "spiritual twiddling of thumbs." Shelved, I believe, was the word I threw out there to describe what I now believe to be a feeling of exclusion from the activities swirling around me.

Well no more. In the last few days, I realized that "Christian" activity is not, and will never be a substitute for the true faith. God re-opened my eyes and re-aligned my heart towards His purpose. I may live in this world but I don't have to be a part of it. And though there will be times that the flesh will win battles, I refuse to surrender to my sins and my inequities.

Beginning today, I'm starting a series of posts thoughts, reflections and Bible-based beliefs on the different aspects of life and faith and the extent to which I am prepared (or in some cases need to prepare) to serve My Lord and Master, in the Name of our Most Holy God.

I close with the often quoted passage in Ephesians on donning the Armor of God and I bid those who stumble across this post and those succeeding it, let us engage in conversation without compromising the Truth and with love, honor and respect.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; In addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints" (Ephesians 6: 10-18 NASB)