Life was simple when our offspring were children.

Especially at the department store. You bought a top and a bottom.

If the items were not on the same rack, they were near.

Even matching tops and bottoms. At dressing time in the morning,

moms had only one thing to figure out: which top and which bottom.

In one of its simplest expressions, Christianity is about a top and a bottom:

the top is heaven and bottom is hell. The choice of Jesus Christ

as Savior and Lord determines where you go: to the top or bottom out.

I believe it with all my heart. There's a heaven and a hell.

Jesus indicated we will know one another in heaven and not apart

from our earthly personality, but without its flaws.

John said there will be no sadness in heaven. No tears. The song sings,

'No more crying there.' I also believe in hell. Sherman said,

"War is hell." War can't compare to hell. Some soldiers

don't get wounded, don't see combat, and many make it safely home.

Not so in hell. In hell, there won't even be a buddy to give you a cigarette.

No parties even with your rowdy friends. A top and a bottom!

As you begin to grow into adolescence, your wardrobe becomes more involved.

What to wear becomes more than a simple decision as to which

top and which bottom. Which jewelry with which outfit? Which belt to wear?

Which shoes match? Matching socks? Yet, there are Christians who never grow

in their faith and for them Christianity remains a matter of a top

and a bottom. They believe they are bound for heaven. I'm not so sure.

Neither was Jesus. Speaking to those who had spoken in his name,

cast out demons in his name, and even performed miracles in his name,

Jesus said, "I never knew you. Depart from me, you who practice

lawlessness" (Matthew 7:22). Shouldn't our faith and faithful

following of God's laws grow in their many facets even as our wardrobe grows?

Shouldn't our testimony take on new aspects and new victories over

and beyond that once we decided to go to the top? Peter gives us a

direct command to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Grace is a beautiful garment to wear. It's appropriate for almost

all occasions. Not too many of us don't need a word from grace.

Knowledge of Jesus Christ - his preexistence, birth, life, death,

and meaning of all that - certainly would stand you and me well

in all circumstances. Grace and knowledge go together once we remember

that Jesus was full of grace. But what have we added to our spiritual

wardrobe since becoming a Christian? George Barna, church observing

specialist, says Christianity is a mile wide and an inch deep.

Indeed, we need more than a top and a bottom.

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