The Cool Christian
I was talking to a younger friend the other day. We were talking about someone that I would describe as being irrational in a nice manner (psychotic if I wanted to be blunt). My friend looked at me and said the irrational person wasn’t a cool Christian like we are. This concept of a cool Christian hit me.
From the context of our conversation, I assume a cool Christian is someone who has accepted Christ as his or her savior and is striving in their faith walk while realizing that they won’t be done until the day they get called home. A cool Christian also allows him or herself to enjoy life by laughing and worshiping God in a joyful manner.
But then that begs a question, what is a non-cool Christian? In our conversation, we were talking about a person who believed an animal told her critical information and her significant other had hidden millions of dollars from her. My question is why wasn’t there a psych evaluation ordered? But is a break from reality necessary to be a non-cool Christian?
What about the “Christian” who persecutes others for their sin while ignoring their own?
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.” - Matthew 7:1-6 ESV
What about the “Christian” that doesn’t use gentleness and respect when disciple making?
“Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.” - 1 Peter 3:13-17
I was flattered, at my age, that a young person categorized me in any cool group. I am not sure I was ever in a cool group. In this case, I believe a cool Christian really means loving God with all our heart and that was the best compliment possible.
“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. The wicked accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the ways of justice. The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth. A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him. To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness. Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.” - Proverbs 17:22-28
