The Anatomy of a Christian: The Stomach

I read a story of a woman whose fiancé was struggling
with the idea of marriage.  She told a friend, “I just don’t
think he has the stomach for it.”  Whether or not
someone has the stomach for something has to do with
whether or not they have the conviction to go through
with it.  If a person is not fully convinced in what they
are doing, they will not be greatly motivated to do it.

The term “conviction” can convey at least two ideas.
First, it can mean “the state of being found or proven
guilty.”  This concept is easily seen in the Bible with
regard to sin (cf. Jn. 8:9; Acts 2:37).  Yet the word
“conviction” is sometimes used (at least, in our
vernacular) to mean “the act or process of convincing;
the state of being convinced; a strong belief.”  When
someone says, “What does your gut tell you?” they are
really asking, “Deep down, what do you believe is
right?”

Yet the greater question is, “Who determines what is
right?”  God does.  You see biblical faith is not based
on what merely “feels right” to a person, it is based on
the evidence of divine truth (Heb. 11:1). “So then faith
comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”
(Rom. 10:17).  Since we know it is impossible for God
to lie (Tit. 1:2; Heb. 6:18), we are able to have “full
assurance of faith…for He who promised is faithful”
(Heb. 10:22-23).  It is no wonder that so many in the
Bible (such as Stephen, Paul, the other apostles, etc.)
suffered gladly for the cause of Christ (cf. Acts 5:41).
These ones not only believed the truth, they also had
the stomach to stand up for it; even to die for it, if need
be (cf. Dan. 3:13-23; Heb. 11:32-40).

To be sure, throughout history many people have died
for some religious belief, but the sad reality is that
unless that “belief” was according to the truth of God’s
word, they died for it in vain.  Nevertheless, even they
put to shame those who have the truth yet will not stand
up for it.  What a sad commentary that is.  Friends, the
Scriptures reveal that not only must we believe, speak,
and practice the truth (1 Cor. 1:10); we must also be
willing to defend it (Jude 3; 2 Tim. 4:2; 1 Pet. 3:15).
This is what it means to be a New Testament
Christian.  Do you have the stomach for it?

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The Anatomy of a Christian: The Backbone

Have you ever heard a person refer to someone as
not having a backbone?  Chances are they did not
mean so literally but figuratively (for it is typical that
humans have a spine).  One who is deemed a coward
is often referred to as “spineless.”  Thus, for one to
“have backbone” simply means that one has the
courage to face a very difficult or unnerving situation.
This is very important, for cowardice is sickening to
God (cf. Num. 13–14).

To be sure, we are not merely referring to a victim of
a kidnapping or hijacking, etc., but (more to the point)
the victim of persecution or oppression for the cause
of Christ (of truth and righteousness).  While a
Christian may not face persecution every day or to
the degree that other Christians elsewhere may
experience, the simple fact remains that “all who
desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer
persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12).  At such times the
Christian must be courageous for the Lord has made
it clear that the cowardly will not go to heaven (Rev.
21:8).

I realize that this may seem to be easier said than
done, but in Christ Jesus it can be done (Phil. 4:13).
One’s life may be threatened because he is a
Christian.  One may be harassed because he stands
for the truth against popular sin (such as we see in
the “political correctness” and open endorsement of
sexual perversion in our society today).  In the face of
persecution or ridicule one may be tempted to deny
his faith or even to deny Christ to save his own skin,
yet Jesus said, “whoever denies Me before men, him
I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven”
(Matt. 10:33).

Friends, when it comes to godly living and standing
for the truth, do you have backbone?  The Lord said,
‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’  So we may
boldly say: ‘The LORD is my helper; I will not fear.
What can man do to me?’” (Heb. 13:5-6).

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The Anatomy of a Christian: The Shoulders

Perhaps you have heard the expression, “shouldering
responsibility.”  Being responsible (in this sense) simply
means “to do what is your duty” or “to fulfill that which is
your obligation.”

Sometimes, due to neglect or laziness, a person throws
off the yoke of responsibility (or perhaps, never picks it up
to begin with), yet that does not change the fact that we
have much to answer for.  For example, we have a
responsibility to God in worship and service (Jn. 4:23-24;
Heb. 12:28).  Husbands and wives have responsibilities
toward each other (Eph. 5:22-28; 1 Cor. 7:3-5) and
toward their children (Eph. 6:4).  Likewise, children have
a responsibility toward their parents (vv. 1-3).  We all
have responsibilities as citizens to our government (Rom.
13:1-6).  Christians have responsibilities toward fellow
Christians (Eph. 4:16; Gal. 6:1-2) as well as toward those
who are not (v. 10).

Yet perhaps the greatest point we can make is that
sinners must take responsibility for their sins, for God will
require it of them (2 Cor. 5:10).  The one talent man tried
to justify himself (Mt. 25:24-25).  He was not justified (v.
26-30).  The tax collector said, “God be merciful to me
the sinner” (Lk. 18:13).  He was justified (v. 14).  King
Saul blamed the people for his error (1 Sam. 15:15, 21).
He was rejected (v. 23).  The prodigal son blamed himself
for his predicament (Lk. 15:21).  He was received (vv. 20-
24).  Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the devil for their
transgression (Gen. 3:12-13).  They were driven out.
David said, “I have sinned against the Lord” (2 Sam. 12:
13).  He was forgiven.

Sinners, “Arise, for this matter is your responsibility…”
(Ezra 10:4).

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The Anatomy of a Christian: The Mouth

Of all the parts of the human body, perhaps none is
more unique than the mouth.  With it we consume
food and drink for the body’s nourishment and
survival, and with it we verbally communicate the
thoughts of the mind.

Like so many things that were designed for a good
purpose, the mouth (more specifically, the tongue)
can be misused; and what’s worse, it can cause a lot
of unnecessary hurt (if one is not careful).
Concerning this fact, James makes it clear that one
has to control his or her own tongue at all times (Jas.
3:2-12). “But no one can tame the tongue” (v. 8);
rather, it must be bridled (Ps. 39:1).  It does not take
a rocket scientist to know whether or not a person
bridles (restrains) his or her own tongue.  The
evidence is obvious.  Gossip (1 Tim. 5:13), backbiting
(Ps. 15:1-3), slander (Prov. 10:18), lying (Prov. 12:
22), filthy language (Col. 3:8), dirty jokes (Eph. 5:3-
4), etc.; these are the types of things people engage
in when they do not restrain their own tongue.

This is a serious matter; it should not be taken
lightly.  Jesus said, “But I say to you that for every
idle word men may speak, they will give account of it
in the day of judgment.  For by your words you will
be justified, and by your words you will be
condemned” (Matt. 12:36-37).  Yet Peter offers this
encouragement: “He who would love life and see
good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and
his lips from speaking deceit…” (1 Pet. 3:10).

Friends, being that everything we say originates in
the heart (Matt. 12:34), it behooves us to keep our
hearts pure (Prov. 4:23).  Cleanse the inside, and the
outside will be clean also (Matt. 23:25-26).  Do you
get what I’m saying?

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The Anatomy of a Christian: The Ears

As with the eyes, the Bible speaks of the ears in both
a physical and a figurative sense.  I’m sure we are
familiar with the concept of literal/physical hearing
(even so, there is a difference between hearing of a
sound – Act 9:7 and comprehending what that sound
is – cf. 22:9).  Yet the Bible also refers to ears of
desire (Ps. 92:11), of self-perception (cf. Lk. 18:11-
12), and of understanding or enlightenment (cf. Prov.
1:5).

Sometimes the idea of “hearing” is actually a
reference to one receiving or embracing something
said or taught.  For example, Luke 16:29 says,
“…they have Moses and the prophets; let them hear
them.” Well, Moses and those prophets had been
long dead at the time this statement was made; thus
one could not literally “hear” them, but one could
embrace what they taught, which was written down.
When it comes to spiritual matters, what we hear and
how we hear are vitally important (Mk. 4:24; Lk.
8:18).

There are many things one may “hear” that are not
appropriate: such as dirty jokes (Eph. 5:3-5), filthy
language (Col. 3:8), gossip (1 Tim. 5:13), etc.  But
this is not the only concern the Christian should
have.  Paul said, “For the time will come when they
will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their
own desires, because they have itching ears, they
will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will
turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned
aside to fables” (2 Tim. 4:3-4).  In fact, many “stop
their ears” against the truth altogether (cf. Acts 7:57).

This is a salvation issue, friends. “He who has ears
to hear, let him hear” (Mk. 4:9).

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