Imagine yourself a director of the NBC show Saturday Night Live.  The skit you need to prepare for is called “Christian Conversation” – and it involves 3 Christian couples going out to eat at Cracker Barrel after their church service.  Now, my one big question for you (the director) is… what clothes will you have your cast wear to represent these Christian couples.

I began to wonder why – almost without fail – the SNL cast would likely be wearing outdated sport coats, outdated hairdos, and other attire that would look straight out of the 1970’s… or even the 1870’s. Yes, we’re talking about parody, but that’s still an exaggerated expression of real impressions.

You will probably never see Christians portrayed on SNL wearing a spiked hairdo, a Fender guitar t-shirt, modern dark-rimmed glasses, or (heaven forbid) a tattoo.  In the world of parody and stereotypes, why is a Christian almost never allowed to look… normal?!

Let’s take it a step further.  What are the stereotypes of how a Christian speaks, acts, votes, uses technology, cares, helps, loves?  Is it just a bad rap?  Is it the big, bad “liberal media”?  Or are Christians too often leaving a bad taste in people’s mouths?

The other day, I was reading in the book of Colossians about another kind of fashion statement – not so much what’s on the outside, but still what will leave a lasting impression.  Here’s Colossians 3:12-15 from The Message:

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.  Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off & doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness.

I underlined all the words that should define a life changed by the Gospel.  This is the overall impression the world should have of Believers.

On this week’s Under The Radar, I’m playing a song by Above The Golden State that also shares how the love that Christ Followers share can truly change the world.  As the above passage says in the NIV, “…over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”  It’s easy to point the finger.  Let’s start with ourselves.  I can’t say my wardrobe comes close to those underlined words.  Yes, I am too often a part of the problem.  My prayer is that over time, my life will more and more reflect a Gospel-changed life.  How about you?