The book about the Vietnam War POW, Jim Shively, contains a tribute from a friend and a former POW cellmate. This tribute concerns the character of Shively; the fact that even in the North Vietnamese prison he showed those he was around how to live. [1]
Should not the goal of every Christian be to have that tribute engraved on their tombstone: “He (or she) taught us how to live”? Does not Jesus tell us: “. . .let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 ESV)
Yes, we know we all are sinful creatures and do not always live up to the ideals expressed in the Bible. However, I see such a lack of emphasis in Christianity of the person we are to become. Yes, the Bible teaches God loves us. Yes, the Bible teaches God sent his son to die for our sins. But the Bible also teaches he wants us to become like him; to be holy as he is holy. If we become the person God wants us to be, then we will show those around us how to live. Just as Jesus did.
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[1] Amy Shively Hawk. Six Years in the Hanoi Hilton. Washington, DC: Regnery History, 2017, p. 189.
