As I write this, a movie is just coming out starring Mandy Moore called, "Saved." I understand Mandy plays a "Holier than thou Christian" attending a Christian High School. Her character spends a lot of time celebrating her saved status and telling others how lost they are. She is proud of herself for being "Christian" in all of her conduct.

Do you know anyone like her? Do you know anyone who is so caught up in looking "Christian" that he or she doesn't understand what it means to be like Christ?

Paul warned the Christians in Rom. 11:13-24 to be careful about being proud of the fact that they were saved and the Jews weren't. For Paul it wasn't a matter of just the Gentiles or the Jews being saved. Paul was called to preach to the Gentiles, but his deepest desire was to see the Jews accept Jesus as Messiah. In Rom. 11, Paul reminded Gentiles that they were spliced into the family tree. As Gentiles, those of us who are not of the Jewish heritage are the adopted children. Paul prayed that one day the Jewish people would return to their roots of following God with all of their hearts. Paul pointed to the celebration that will break out when the people of Israel embrace Jesus as Lord and Messiah.

So how are we to live? We should walk humbly with God, rather than strutting our Christian stuff. When we take this passage seriously, we will work harder at being Christ-like than at appearing "Christian." We will establish rapport with non-Christians in order to share God's grace with them. We will live transparent authentic lives that celebrate God's grace, not our Christian conduct.