President Ronald Reagan enjoyed enormous popularity during his two terms in office. Though an arms-for-hostage scheme marred his last years, he left the White House in 1989 with the highest approval ratings of any US president since Franklin Roosevelt.
A young Democratic congresswoman noted a similarity between the president and the pan holding her children’s breakfast eggs. Patricia Schroeder, representative from Colorado, remarked, “After carefully watching Ronald Reagan, I can see he’s attempting a great breakthrough in political technology. He has been perfecting the Teflon-coated presidency. He sees to it that nothing sticks to him. He is responsible for nothing.”
The one thing that did stick to President Reagan was Schroeder’s metaphor. He became known as the first Teflon president.
What an enviable place to be, wouldn’t you say? The leader of the free world, the mouthpiece of democracy and responsible for protecting the liberties of millions…and blame could not attach itself to Ronald Reagan.
Now, it’s likely that you aren’t and won’t ever be in a place of such power, but even in your own circumstances, wouldn’t it be wonderful to be freed from blame? Can you even imagine facing charges and having them slide off you? Would it be possible to stand up to complaints and accusations without a string of explanations to back you up?
Of course you know that if you have accepted Jesus Christ as Savoir you are without fault. Every atrocity you’ve ever committed has been wiped away. You’re kind of a Teflon-Christian. The accusations may fly, but nothing will stick to you.
Nothing sticks, but is the life you’re living pleasing to God? You’re free from blame and accusation, but are you honoring God with the things you do? As a Christian, what do your actions say about the God who saved your life?
Though you are without blame, the day will come when you face Jesus to give an account of your life as a Believer. Much of our Christian theology is grounded in the belief that Jesus will return one day. He promised it; we therefore believe it. Jesus said, “Be ready.” He told us to be looking for it. Though we won’t know beforehand, we will see signs of His approach.
When He arrives He will appear in bodily form so that we can see Him and touch Him. And unlike His first time on earth, Jesus will return to judge the world. Believers and non-believers will stand before Him. What will stick to you when He asks, “What did you do with what I gave you?” Will you continue to stand as a Teflon-Believer?
It’s hard to comprehend, but God desires that we would stand before Him blameless, without fault—even on the day when Jesus rules with judgment. Paul said, For this is the will of God, your sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:3). Sanctification--that’s one of those difficult church-words. It means holy, set apart, different from the world around you. God’s will is that we become a holy people, set apart from the world’s desires, and dedicated to His purposes.
Paul offered the Thessalonians sensible suggestions on how to fulfill God’s will:
Live in peace with one another. We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:13 – 18)
God’s will for you in Christ Jesus is that you would be made holy. That increasingly you would become like Jesus. That more and more, in what you say and what you do, you would reflect Jesus to the world.
God’s calls all His children to seek holiness for that Last Day—that day of judgment. His will is that you are able to stand holy and blameless and beyond reproach (Colossians 1:22), without spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27). When the time comes to face Christ’s judgment, nothing will stick to the true Teflon-Christian.
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