Sunday, January 31, 2010

BONNIE AND CLYDE

Do you remember the 1967 movie about these police killing bank robbers, starring Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty? I happen to watch that movie this afternoon. As with most, if not all, “Real Life” movies, the accuracy of the movie to real events is questionable, particularly regarding the details.

Near the end of this movie, Bonnie Parker asks Clyde Barrow if they could miraculously get a new start with a clean slate; what he would do with his life. Clyde’s response appeared to surprise and disappoint Bonnie, he responded that they could move to a new state then only rob banks, continuing the criminal activities, in another state where there were not known; allowing them to return home unknown and unsuspected. Unfortunately, Clyde was not interested in a change of heart.

Shortly after this discussion, at least in the movie, Bonnie and Clyde are killed. Would a different response from Clyde allow them an opportunity to live longer? We will never know, assuming the quote is factual: Only God knows.

Whether the real Bonnie and Clyde had this discussion is unknown by this author and perhaps unknown by all. However, too often some Christians respond similarly when offered a clean slate through the forgiveness of Christ’s death and resurrection. Some may desire to live in the new state where our clean slate is accepted, but traveling out this area to live their same former life of ungodliness.

We act and speak in Christ like manner with a generous heart when in church or around other Christians, however we may return to our former vulgar jokes, drunkenness, laziness, selfish, ungenerous, stretching the truth, exaggerating, lying when away from this environment. We may believe once we return to our new environment no accountability follows.

Just as Bonnie sought a new, clean slate and heart; Clyde was only interested in changing his circumstances as opposed to his heart. When Christ offers us a new slate, one of forgiveness and mercy, he demands a changed heart: One that opposes intentional sinful behavior. The clean slate, whether in law of the land or our walk with Christ; demands a renewed heart.

Walk with Christ, Talk with Christ, Achieve with Christ!

Rick E. Meyer
www.rickemeyer.com

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