If that’s who God is, then I’m all in.

Real Dudes,
I had a conversation with someone recently and we were talking about the qualities of a healthy church. His comment was this, “If that’s who God is, then I’m all in.” This person got it – he understood that the Church is a representation of who God is. If the Church is following after Christ, then people will want to be all in. But if the Church is full of hypocrites, then others will receive an incorrect image of God and want nothing to do with Him. That’s how powerful our representation of Him really is. 
In 2 Corinthians 5:20 (CSB) the Apostle Paul reminds us that “we are ambassadors for Christ.” We are messengers of His truths, along with a picture of who He is. What message are others receiving from you and or your church?
I recently watched a documentary on Gary Coleman. I was able to find a quote from the documentary on-line…it stated that “Diff'rent Strokes hairstylist Joann Stafford Chaney recalls that once Coleman's father Willie started accompanying his son to set, ‘Gary went from being cute to ugly.’ She saw the actor ‘[pick] up all the ugliness of his dad…’” Gary was known for getting all of his dad’s ugly. Gary might have started off as adorable and innocent, but the attention and fame led him and his father to be remembered as having an ugly personality. Willie Coleman’s true colors came out and his son Gary imitated him. 
How do others view you and or your church? As ugly? Is that a clear representation of who God is? Willie’s character was absorbed by his son. What characteristics have you absorbed and picked up from God? Are others getting a correct perspective of who God truly is? What needs to change, if anything? Something to think about and pray about. 
Practicing His Presence,
Nate

Link to the quote above…
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/diffrent-strokes-star-gary-coleman-123000964.html ​