You have tattoos…And you’re a Christian? YES!
You have body piercings…And you’re a Christian? YES!
You have blue hair…And you’re a Christian? YES!
You wear flip-flops to church…And you’re a Christian? YES!
You don’t go to church…And you’re a Christian? YES!
You’ve been divorced…And you’re a Christian? YES!
You had sex before marriage…And you’re a Christian? YES!
You are a sinner…And you’re a Christian? YES!
10 Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. 11And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
12 When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” – Matthew 9:9-13 (NKJV)
What is a Christian? A Christian is someone who believes the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. But we all have these preconceived notions of what Christians should be. Yes, we are new creatures when we give our heart to Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17); and, yes, we will make positive changes with the conviction of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13). But we don’t fit into this mold like a stamp-out surfboard (or any other item you think of). We all have different stories with different hurts and joys.
What does a Christian look like? This is something that I think people get trapped in believing that a Christian must look a certain way. How can a goth-looking rocker be a Christian? Do you only see a flowery-sundress-wearing Momma as a Christian (as I write this on Mother’s Day)? The point is that there is no defined way a Christian should look. Our heart defines us as Christians. The conviction of the Holy Spirit will help us turn our hearts outward through our words and actions.
I was sitting on the couch and looking at my tattoos (I have many). This was early on in my salvation when I was still reading the Bible from start to finish for the first time. Before giving my heart to the Lord, I had been working on a (tattoo) half-sleeve and it was close to being finished. I read scripture about nose rings, (Genesis 24:47, Ezekiel 16:12), but only one on tattoos. And it was related to tattooing for the dead (Leviticus 19:28), although this has been interpreted differently over the years. But I felt left with the question, Are tattoos against the Word?
As a believer, I try very much to obey God and what He has planned for my life. But I sat on the couch wondering about what Jesus really feels about tattoos. So, I asked Him the question, “What do You think about tattoos?” I didn’t receive the answer immediately, but a short time later (still on the couch), it was clear. I don’t care about your skin, only your heart. Wow! And this made perfect sense to me. Jesus doesn’t judge us by our skin or outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7).
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16:7 (NKJV)
I have been judged by many, and many more just because of my tattoos. My skin tells you nothing about who I am; at best you might learn I love art (which I do) because tattoos are an art form. But you would be very wrong if you think any of the tattoo stereotypes apply to me (e.g., military, biker, drugs, prison, etc.). But the world isn’t my vindicator, only Jesus!
As Christians, we are representing our Almighty. Judging others doesn’t get the unsaved to Jesus. It will likely drive them further away. We need to love everyone like Jesus loves us, flaws and all.
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for giving me so much love. A love that can never be replaced by another. Thank you for showing me how to love others the way you love me. Amen.