I’m married to an ordained minister and I
taught Sunday School and chapel for many years. A relative referred to my
husband and I as Rev Rick and Bible Barbie—and not in a loving way. So, when I
noticed a sitcom on TV called “Living Biblically,” I thought the media was
bashing Christians same as my relative.
After watching a few episodes of this new
show to see how people of faith were portrayed, I was pleasantly surprised. The
sitcom was humorous at times and not an all-out slam of Christianity. BUT…the
show concentrates on a man trying to follow the rules in the Bible, and totally
misses the relationship believers have with Jesus.
Chip, the main character in this sitcom,
is going to have a tough time trying to live a perfect life. Romans 3:23 tells
us, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Even the best-intentioned
Christians blow it at times. I know, I am one of them.
The Apostle Paul sets everyone straight
about living Biblically in Ephesians 2:8-10. Paul states, “For it is by grace
you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift
of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us
to do.”
We need God’s grace (God’s Riches At
Christ’s Expense) because we are going to blow it. We need forgiveness when we
break God’s commandments and only Jesus can forgive us and make us right with
God. As Believers in Jesus, we also have the Holy Spirit living inside of us.
The Spirit gives us wisdom and helps us display the fruits of the Spirit
(Galatians 5:22). Television writers can try and make a rule following “Christian”
perfect for an entire season, but that’s not reality. Chip needs Jesus in his
life, not a set of rules.
Chip’s good works are honorable, but they
are not flowing from a love of God. He is trying to earn his way into heaven. Spoiler
alert--we all know how that will work out. Chip needs Jesus for an eternal life
that begins immediately.
How awesome this TV sitcom would be if it
truly showed people living in a loving relationship with Jesus. Life gets hard
at times and it isn’t always fun. Rules don’t get you through the valleys of
life, but a relationship with Jesus strengthens us during difficult times. One
of my favorite verses is Nehemiah 8:10b, “Do not grieve, for the joy of the
Lord is your strength.”
May we remember during our busy lives to
thank God for His grace and strength. May we remember Jesus’ redemptive work on
the cross and how it sets us free from sin and death. And may we listen to the
convictions of the Holy Spirit.
Having a relationship with Jesus is the
best way to live Biblically.
Barbara M. Britton was born and raised in
the San Francisco Bay Area, but currently lives in Southeast Wisconsin and
loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches. Barb writes romantic
adventures for teens and adults. She is published in Biblical fiction and
enjoys bringing little known Bible characters to light in her stories. Barb is
a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the Society of Children’s
Book Writers and Illustrators, Romance Writers of America and Wisconsin Romance
Writers of America. Barb has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but
loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate.
When Adah bat Shallum finds the governor of Judah weeping over the crumbling
wall of Jerusalem, she learns the reason for Nehemiah’s unexpected visit—God
has called him to rebuild the wall around the City of David.
Nehemiah challenges the men of Jerusalem to
labor on the wall and in return, the names of their fathers will be written in
the annals for future generations to cherish. But Adah has one sister and no
brothers. Should her father who rules a half-district of Jerusalem be forgotten
forever?
Adah bravely vows to rebuild her city’s
wall, though she soon discovers that Jerusalem not only has enemies outside of
the city, but also within. Can Adah, her sister, and the men they love, honor
God’s call? Or will their mission be crushed by the same rocks they hope to
raise.
