Today, I was thinking a bit about the idea of "going through the motions" that I discussed in
a recent post. As I was browsing through various Christian blogs, I encountered
one post that succinctly explains one way that we as Christians often "go through the motions." This lies in the difference between being a neat Christian guy (NCG), one who is all fluff and puts on a show of being devout and a "Godly man," one who devotes his life to his faith and, for lack of a better word -- is the "real deal." Of course, this concept applies to us ladies as well -- there are some of us out there who are merely neat Christian women (NCW's), while others have grown into Godly women (GW's).
Here's how this particular blogger defines the difference between these two acronyms:
1) A NCG is liked by everybody while a GM has offended someone because the GM hasn't wavered on the truth of Scripture. A GM has hills to die on and will follow through with standing on core theological truths.
2) A NCG will be pursued by the ladies (most of the time these women have a low view of what they are looking for in a man) while the GM pursues a woman because God has told him too. For the record - my pre-marriage performance falls into the NCG on this one....although my wife did know what she was looking for in a man.
3) A NCG is the guy who cries at summer camp every year while a GM repents and owns up to his sin as "his" fault.
4) A NCG carries his Bible (along with his highlighter and other items that make everyone think he knows what he is doing) or relies on the Scripture being up on the screen while the GM carries his Bible and actually reads it.
5) A NCG provides for his family financially and calls it a day. A GM provides for his family financially and realizes that it doesn't stop there. A GM most importanly, leads and pastors his family.
6) A NCG many times grew up in a "Christian" home and might not even really have a regenerated heart while a GM many times grew up with stories of grace - and can actually tell you about those stories.
7) And finally NCG's are bored dudes who see going to church as a duty - while GM become elders, pastors, deacons, and LEADERS in the church.
The goal is to be a "Godly Man" - that means in my mind responsibility, courage, accountability, and repentence. As I look back and as I examine parts of my life that would be classified as "neat and Christian" - I almost want to throw up. Our tendency at times is to:
-Want all the benefits of everything, but take NO responsibility
- Stand down and not fight for truth - at times we have NO courage
- Lie to ourselves and think we need no one around us to call us out - we want NO accountability
- Fail to say, "It is what it is" - and I am a dirty sinner - we NEVER repent and confess our sins
My prayer is that "Godly Men" would rise up and would lead. Women will follow, good husbands and good fathers will come about, and most importantly Jesus will be glorified as he made men to be men - not "neat" with potential.
As I see it, a neat Christian man (or woman) is more likely to regress into going through the motions, making themselves appear to be a religious or devout person, but they don't have any driving passion behind these actions and neglect to live out their faith.
I'll admit that I'm like this too sometimes. There are occasions that I will bow my head and fold my hands in church to appear as though I'm praying like everyone else, but I'm not making a true connection with God.
In other instances, sometimes I will let those who challenge my faith win in a dispute because a) I lack the courage and stamina to do so or b) like the above poster noted, I'm afraid to offend them.
Both of these fallbacks fit me into the category of an NCW. But I suppose a lot of us get stuck there sometimes. We must keep praying that God will renew our hearts and help as grow into the Godly men and women he calls us to be.
Do you ever feel like you are a neat Christian guy or woman, instead of the godly person God is calling you to be? In what situations do you feel this way? What extra steps do you think you have to take to become a Godly person?
Comments (20)
Wow! great post. I think you addressed some key issues. I know I see a lot of NCGs at my university, and what I really should be seeing is more GMs. So often we seek to appear as if we have it all together, causing the NCG/W...when true GM/W are open and honest about our sin.
Good post!
"Both of these fallbacks fit me into the category of an NCW. But I suppose a lot of us get stuck there sometimes. We must keep praying that God will renew our hearts and help as grow into the Godly men and women he calls us to be."
I agree wholeheartedly. I believe every devout Christian will go through hills and valleys - not just of joy and sorrow, but also of committed walk with Jesus. Being frail humans, we are prone to falling and prone to failing. Yet, like you said, we must keep praying that God will renew us! One of my favourite bloggers has been writing about revival in the church and revival among Christians. We must be praying that God will fill our hearts with a hunger and thirst for His Word - this hunger will keep us pointed towards Christ, thus a GM/W. And when we long for, and hunger for God, then our motives, and our attitudes will be more pure. "Let us keep in step with the Spirit"!
Yes. I don't witness like I should to my neighbors, I live in an apartment building with over 80 units. I know part of witnessing is listening and with my neighbors I mostly just talk about myself and not about what Jesus did. I know I'm a priest and I mostly approve of everything. I've read the Bible and I used to pray alot, every day. Recently I've been led to read Matthew again because I realised I couldn't think of hardly one thing Jesus taught. So for me it will be a new beginning. This is a great message, Thank you. I'm going to try. I know if it wasn't for those whom have prayed for me I might not have found Revelife with all the great help. God bless.
A very good post!
Gal 5:22 is the outpouring of a "GM's" heart. There are great battles out there to be faught with compassion, understanding, patience, and love; in so doing the GM will certainly find a lot of resistance because first and foremost the GM is merely a messenger of God-- he does not have his own message to speak, he has God's message on His heart. I think perhaps that is why the GM is most often found taking refuge in what Hebrews 4 speaks about-- Gods "Sabbath" rest.
I'm encourage to here of others that are seeking to be GM/GW.
Good post, although I don't think #7 is really fair. We tend to glorify people who came to Christ in the midst of a troubled background, and are "bored" with the stories of people who grew up in the church. I had a friend who once commented on that and suggested that it's because in some way, it shows that we still value sin instead of really hating it. What greater testimony is there than to say "I've known Christ since I was a child, and in all my years I still haven't found anything greater." Why would we want to look at someone suspiciously for being committed to Christ their whole life?
Some people just won't sell out to Christ. They only want to give their lives to Him under certain conditions. I've been there, done that. He has all of me and I pray that I stay that way and not only on limited terms.
This was a good post - it's always good to examine ourselves and our various levels of hypocrisy. As far as the list of ways to tell a NCG vs a GM goes, I would be careful putting people into boxes. There ARE stereotypes and there are ways to tell if someone is only going through the motions (lack of fruit, etc) but there are always exceptions and you can't always see every part of a person's life.
As far as a guide for watching yourself and your own heart, it was good. :)
@Theophilus166@xanga - That is so true! I'm one of those who came to Christ from a troubled background, and I am friends with many people who grew up in the church and have remained committed to Christ. I know stories like mine get more attention, but I truly admire those who grew up knowing Christ and have remained with Him.
This is great! I am blessed to be married to a wonderful, truly godly man. I am still growing into a godly woman. I'm a fairly new Christian, so it's easy to fall into the trap of just being the "neat Christian woman." Being a godly woman seems daunting at times, but what greater calling can there be?!
@Theophilus166@xanga - I think you make a good point about that. I've heard lots of people tell others "You have a great testimony". But I only hear it applied to the people who were saved in the midst of drug addiction, prostitution, people who came out of cults, people who were abused, etc. and while those are amazing, people should be given props for sticking with Christ, too.
I have a feeling they only say that because of the demographic those people can reach. There are plenty of people who think that grace and forgiveness is beyond them. They say things like "God could never forgive me, I've done too much bad stuff. I've done ". But when they can talk with people who have these so-called great testimonies, I think it makes it easier for them to believe that God can give them grace and mercy and forgiveness....because he gave it to those people, too.
At least I HOPE that's why they say that....but to be honest, any testimony is a great testimony. If you were blind and now see...well that's amazing, regardless of the circumstances it took for you to see.
NCW here.
I think I am a NCW and hoping to look forward...... I also feel like in some cases you cannot truly become a GW or GM until you've been a NCW/NCG.
Read (or at least read about) the book Hero by Fred Stoeker.
@Theophilus166@xanga - I don't agree with you- how many people can relate to those who grew up in a good Christian home? I didn't and I'm so envious, but I like learning about other kinds of testimonies because I can relate to them, and it shows that God can pull us out of any evil, no matter how deep in we think we are. Sure, the longer you are a Christian, the better, but not everyone starts out in that kind of environment, and people that break free from guilts, drugs, a life of crime, depression, or a life of violence etc would have had to go through alot more trials to become a Christian, and if they were in certain groups of people faced alot more persecution. In places like China, or the Middle East people have had to die because of their faith. Following God even if it means death for you is the greatest testimony there is. I like testimonies from anywhere, but the ones of people who have been Christians their whole lives tend to be the same. I didnt become a Christian until I was 17 and I had a tough road up till then.
@xsteph_ox@xanga - I'm not sure what you disagree with me about, because the things you said really don't have much to do with the point I was making. I'm simply saying that it's silly to suggest that certain testimonies are "better" than others, as the author of this post did. Of course some people might relate to some testimonies more than others, but to suggest that people who grew up in the church are less likely to have a regenerated heart than those who didn't is wrong. There is no glory in being a greater "sinner" before coming to Christ, despite the fact that it might make a more interesting story.
@Theophilus166@xanga - Point well made. Whenever I hear testimonies of people's pasts, my heart grieves for how their actions grieved the heart of God and wounded the people in their lives when they were doing what they did, just as I know my own rebellious years and sins grieved the heart of God and wounded many. I am grateful to hear of how God has rescued them, but I am also always grateful to hear (on rare occasion) of how someone has been spared the agony and sea of regret that comes with recognizing how ones life and lifestyle have wounded the heart of God and others.
I know that no one is perfect, and all have sinned and fallen short, and that this grieves the heart of God, but the cry of my redeemed heart is to warn any who will listen -- including, hopefully, my 3 children -- to avoid the high cost of selfish living.
@Winds_of_Change@revelife - great post, thanks for writing it.
Neat Christian Guy: Wavers in faith when it comes to burning the seven year-old "witch".
Godly Man: Lights the fire himself.
I'm sorry, but considering all the wonderful examples of godly men throughout the ages, I've decided I shall forever remain "lukewarm".