There are many ideas of what a classic is. The dictionary meaning according to Webster is, "serving as a standard of excellence of recognized value". As I began delving into what makes a classic, I realized that striving to be a classic Christian person might be a good thing. We aren't cars that someone will drive in a parade someday or that may end up in a museum, but each of us can set a standard that our children, family, and friends can look up to. Our lives can have a recognized value in the way that we live it.
How would we know if we are classic....well lets see,
Do we have Heritage?
Classic cars, toys, and other things classic are mostly known by their maker or manufacturer. As a Christian we have a wonderful heritage. We are God's children.
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God; And if children, then heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." Romans 8:14-17
"Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." Galatians 4:7
If someone turned you over to reveal your maker, would you have the right mark of identification? Have you accepted Christ as your personal Savior?
Do we have Quality. ?
When we think of a classic, we usually think of something that has quality. We think of the effectiveness and the essential character that it has. As Christians what could be more fitting as our quality, than holiness, because we serve a holy God.
"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." I Peter 1:13-16
Do we have Value?
We normally hang a pretty high price tag on our classics. Think how much a classic car can range. In Christ, we have value too. It is nothing that we are on our own. In contrast, He gave us our value when He died on the cross to save our souls. What is more compelling to make us want to live our lives in His will and to reflect that value He has given us?
"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." I Corinthians 6:19,20
Are we Recognizable?
Classics of any type are easy to recognize. There's that little detailing that marks them as unique. How about us? When people look at us, do they know we are a Christian? Can they tell who our Maker is?
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John 13:34,35
Are we Timeless?
You all know those movies we consider classics, such as It's A Wonderful Life or a classic book, such as Little Women. The classics are ones we can watch over and over or read over and over again. How many of our lives would we want replayed? Are we living in a way that our actions and deeds are worthy of being a classic? Are we leaving an example for our children? Are we leaving a heritage that is worth remembering or is all we've made just a fad that fades away?
Conforming to the will of God and being in tune with Him in all aspects of our lives will help us live the life we should and make our lives worthy of remembering.
I trust that we'll all strive to be classic Christian people. If we are parents, we should strive even so much more because we have children that take our lives for their examples. We don't even have to be dead and gone to see what effect we have on our children. We can see it in them as they continue to grow from day to day. Our children should have wonderful strengths and qualities that come out in them by what they learned as a result of our examples. Christ was our ultimate example.
