It's not who I am... but what I ‘do’...

In the movie “Batman Begins” the Batman’s nemesis, Henri Ducard aka “Ra's al Ghul” has tricked the police into closing off the Narrows which helps him as he prepares his assault on Gotham City.  Now the Narrows is an island in the middle of the Gotham River, situated between Midtown and Downtown Gotham City.  It is hoe to a poor, decaying and rundown neighborhood, it is also the place in which the infamous Arkham Asylum is located.  Once the island has been isolated from access, Ra's al Ghul and his followers began to release a psychotropic hallucinogen into the air.  This hallucinogen will cause the people in the narrows to act out in a panic-inducing state.  His starting point is the escaping patients of the Arkham Asylum and then the panic will soon overcome the residents of the Narrows as the gas engulfs the town as a fog.

In the midst of all of this is the Batman.  He is there to battle Ra’s al Ghul in an attempt to thwart his evil plan for Gotham City.  In the beginning of the attack Batman rescues Rachel Dawes and a small boy from a surrounding mob, by taking them off the streets and lifting them onto a nearby roof top where they should be safe.  Before the Batman can leave he is confronted by Rachel.  It is here that Rachel calls out, “Wait!  You could die.  At least tell me your name.  After a short pause, the Batman answers her “It's not who I am underneath... but what I ‘do’... that defines me.”  Rachel is noticeably stunned by his answer and calls out, “Bruce?”  Just as the Batman turns and leaps off the roof.

This scene from the movie “Batman Begins” has always been one of my favorites of the Christopher Nolan “Batman” Trilogy because it gives us a glimpse of the Batman that we have not seen before, it gives us Batman’s definition of himself.  I believe that this one line from the movie is a line that we as believers should learn from.  “It's not who I am underneath... but what I ‘do’... that defines me.”  I say this because it somewhat parallels a passage of Scripture in which Jesus taught in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  It is the good works that we do that glorifies the Father.  It is our good works that we do that should define the relationship with the Lord that we have.  Our good works should outshine all that we are and all that we do.  But this is not so, especially in the common Christian community.  Sadly, all too often it is the selfishness of man “I did this” that over shadows the good works that are done for Christ. 

When it comes to the Christian walk many fail to understand that it is to be a way of life it is to be one that is constantly representing the Lord Jesus here on earth.  While writing his second epistle to the Corinthians, we find that Paul compares his own calling to that of an ambassador.  With that being said, he urges all Believers to consider the fact that they too, are ambassadors for Christ.  Note what he says in 2 Corinthians 5:20, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.”  The apostle was referring to his role of ministry in general but we can see that the application to all is evident.  He is encouraging all believers to do the same.  When we identified our lives with Christ we died to self and were made alive in Him.  As believers our role and responsibility to those around us is to present Christ to them.  We are to do so in both word and deed.  Others should see a difference in both the works that we do and in that which proceeds out of our mouths. 

When we are around others, no matter where we are they should see a difference, not just a veneer that we put on for show but an actual difference that Christ has made within us.  If there is anything that this world teaches us it is that a server of self is opposite of what the Word teaches.  We are called to serve others first (Galatians 5:13-14, “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.  (14)  For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” NKJV).  One thing that I have observed over the years is that the average church is at best comprised of mostly church attenders.  They are not interested in serving, but they are quite prominent in noticing when they are not properly served.  They have heard that surrendering to Christ is important but are not willing to fully surrender to Him.  It is as if they are always weighing their options if you will.  The truth is that with Jesus it is all or nothing; He is an option that we can take or leave on a whim’s notice. 

Once again the Batman said, “It's not who I am underneath... but what I ‘do’... that defines me.”  And this is what I see as relevant for believers.  It's not who I am underneath (this is the “old” me underneath, it is the old sinful nature that waits for every opportunity to come out.  I do not want others to see that side of me.)  but what I ‘do’ (I want others to see in my actions that I am an ambassador for Christ.  I would like for others to experience that I am a servant of Christ.)  that defines me”  (and this is what should really defines me).  For this to be real in my life there needs to be a change and that change has to be drastic, the same is true of and for all believers.

The most common thread that runs throughout the church today is the thread or theme of selfishness.  The common cry, the drastic plea within the church is for its people to step up and serve other church members.  We are to step up and serve the “church.”  If I were to honestly look at the church in the light of the Batman’s statement I would have to say shame on us all.  For that which is underneath is still defining us if the church does not have enough people to serve.  Nowhere in the Scriptures do we find the commandment that calls us to sit back and be served.  If believers today would grasp a hold of Christ as He has of them life in the church would be radically different.  I am greatly disappointed in the church today as the majority of believers have a “me first,” “serve me” or worse yet, an “I did this” attitude.  This is evident in every church bulletin you find the leadership pleading for more volunteers. 

Serving in the church is not a gift, it is not a call it is a definition of who we are.  Matthew 23:11-12, “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. (12) And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”  If this is true with you then you can clearly say, “It's not who I am underneath... but what I ‘do’... that defines me.”