A Genuine Christian

A FAIR DINKIM CHRISTIAN

Psalm26 “Judgeme,OLORD;forIhavewalkedinmineintegrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide. Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth. I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked. I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD: That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: In whose hands [is] mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes. But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me. My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.”

This Psalm is written by David. In it he is reiterating the kind of life he has tried to live for God and the kind of qualities he would like to emphasize in his life in the future. He highlights the qualities that please God and the characteristics that are necessary to demonstrate his convictions to the world around him. It is obvious that his primary purpose in pursuing such a definitive lifestyle is to illicit the approval and approbation of God. He wishes to be a God-pleaser rather than a man-pleaser.

If you could sum up David’s attitude you could surely say in contemporary Aussie idiom that David wished to be A FAIR DINKUM CHRISTIAN. He wanted to be seen as “dinki di”. He desired to be the genuine article. As we were prone to say in an earlier generation, he longed to be the real McCoy. His objective was to avoid the sham, shame or shabby pretence of the all too common hypocrisy that hinders the testimony of the Lord, and to present his life as an open book to the glory of God.

It seems the problem of hypocrisy and deceit spans every century and afflicts every generation. It was so in the day of David. Heinonesensewaslivingproofofthematter. Itwassointhe day of our Saviour. Being surrounded daily by the hypocritical Pharisee sect, He had perhaps as much to say on the subject as

any other. But this should be of no comfort or consolation to those who are always using hypocrisy among so-called Christians as an excuse for ignoring God and His claims. As someone has well said, “If a hypocrite is standing between you and God, he is closer to God than you are!”

Yes, the world is crying out for A FAIR DINKUM CHRISTIAN to show them the way of God and the way to God. We have plenty of the counterfeit kind. Admittedly, they are sometimes a bit difficult to detect. I am told some people can take a coin of the realm and submit it to the bite or bounce test and determine its genuineness. If it is made of the right alloy of metals it will make a certain sound and the truth about its value will be clearly shown and known. Even though it is difficult to know at a glance, ultimately A FAIR DINKUM CHRISTIAN will also make a “certain sound.” The lost world is listening for the sound of FAIR DINKUM CHRISTIANS.

I am also told that there are certain unique colours and patterns purposely woven into paper currency that make real genuine money difficult to duplicate. Ordinary fake currency can be detected at a glance or a touch by a real expert. David speaks of the unique characteristics and peculiar patterns of a FAIR DINKUM CHRISTIAN. It is extremely difficult to fake or counterfeit these in the longer term.

During a volunteer church construction project, a little boy was once standing and intently gazing at his pastor as he was busily driving nails. The pastor noticed his keen interest. Stopping, he turned and smiled at the little boy and asked, “Son, why are you watching me?” “Do you want to learn to be a good carpenter someday?” “No,” the little boy replied, “I just want to hear what a pastor says and see what he does when he smashes his thumb with a hammer!”

I think this old and familiar bit of oft-used verse speaks volumes on the subject:

“I’d rather see a sermon, than hear one any day.

I’d rather one would walk with me, then merely show the way. The eye’s a better pupil, and more willing than the ear.

Fine counsel if confusing, but example’s always clear.

And the best of all the preachers, are the ones who live their creed.