“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9) Words, words, words. They are an intricate part of life. Neither relationships, business, teaching, or coaching can take place apart from them. Words are not limited to human speech. Our actions produce words, as do our attitudes. You may be grinning like a mule eating saw briars, but it will be obvious to others that your mouth is uncomfortable!
We can say the same thing about our faith. We may claim that we are a Christians, but if our actions are not reflecting the fruit of the Holy Spirit, we are that old mule just trying to smile while our gums and lips are in pain. The life of Jesus in and through believers is more than empty words coming from an empty profession. Christianity is more than signing a membership card and getting baptized in a tub of water. A man can never meet the Jesus of the Bible and remain unchanged. Every man will either bow down before the Lord and confess his sins, or he will eventually rise up in hostile rebellion against God’s claim for his life.
Too many people seem uncomfortable in our society discussing the truths of Jesus. Some, legitimately so, do not want to be associated with the money charlatans we see on religious television. They say, “I don’t want to discuss faith lest someone thinks I am one of them.” After forty years of following Christ, I can say this with absolute certainty: the Holy Spirit does not turn believers into wild-eyed fools and religious show outs!
One of the weirdest things I remember from my youth was watching “Donkey Basketball Games” in the old Stonewall gym. They were usually for a good cause, but they sure were a heaping mess (no pun intended) of confusion and stupidity. A donkey is an excellent animal to have around as a beast of burden for farm work, but I am convinced you’ll never convert one to become Michael Jordan or Larry Bird. My friends tried to get me to join them by riding a donkey in the game. Well, I would rather tie a bologna sandwich on my back and run through a den of lions than to try a left-handed layup while riding a donkey.
What do you look like when others ask about your faith? Does your head bend low, your face grow flush, or you get happy feet and suddenly need to leave?
Those are all signs that you may be a donkey trying to look like a basketball player. Ultimately, our words will not matter, as genuine faith comes from a heart surrendered to Jesus Christ. I cringe to think of all the people who can speak with religious platitudes and appear God-fearing, but have never allowed Christ to change their lives.
Don’t be fooled. Don’t deceive your own heart. Get real with Jesus. Repent and surrender to Him. Do it now and… Don’t be a Donkey!
