Batman

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 

2 Timothy 2:15

I have a seven-year-old son. There’s a lot of “superhero” behavior going on – jumping, throwing, running, etc. He also has a favorite hero - Batman. I’m not sure why my son has picked Batman to be his favorite, but I know why Batman is my favorite.

As I understand it, Batman does not have “powers,” he just wears some cool accessories, which as women, we can appreciate. Batman saw injustice in the world, especially Gotham City, and he desired to make things right.

My husband and I watched one of the more recent Batman movies the other day. A quote in the movie really stood out to me. When his childhood sweetheart, Rachel, asks for Batman’s name, he replies, “It's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me.” At that, Rachel knew Batman’s true identity.

We know that we are not saved by the good works that we do. Isaiah 64:6 reminds us that our righteous acts are like filthy rags. And Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, for it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.

Yet, we are also commanded to honor God in our actions. 1 Corinthians 10:31 states,  . . . whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Though we have Christ underneath, what actions are we exhibiting on the outside? Our actions are communicated to others – and those actions sometimes speak loud and clear. Is your behavior any different than someone who does not know the Lord? Do your actions define you as a follower of Christ?

We are Christians, which translated from the early church in Acts, means Little Christs or Christ-ones. Our actions need to define us as Christians. It is a mystery – a true miracle – that our Lord would choose to live inside us. So . . . let’s act like the Savior of the World resides inside – let your actions define you as a follower of Jesus, a Christ-one.

Julie Smith