In the 90s, a new name made the rounds in political settings. “RINO.” It stands for, “Republican In Name Only.” The phrase caught on, and people use it without batting an eye now, especially in campaigns. During the 2016 election, my friend Lauren and I were on the phone one day for about two hours. We talked about how much politics had changed since the 2002 campaign where she and I met. We also laughed about the term, RINO, and how weirdly accurate it is for some people.
I was thinking about my friend Lauren this morning. Lauren died last August, and we all miss her, terribly. Early last summer, I sent a link to a dress I liked and asked Lauren, “Could I pull this off?” She said, “Yes. If you were a foot taller. Sleeves like that will just look like you need a running start and a runway to takeoff!” Lauren had a wicked sense of humor, and she also had an incredibly big heart. She loved others with every ounce in her. She didn’t hold back on her funny, quick wit, and she didn’t hold back on her love, either.
As I sat there thinking about her this morning, I smiled. You just can’t think of anything bad to say about Lauren. If there was something bad, it would be something humorous, and she would have laughed at it. Lauren was funny but she was never mean.
I then found myself wondering what people will say about me when I die? Obviously, they will all laugh and talk about how hilarious I am. I mean, come on, how could they not? I’m sure there will be the circulating photo of the now infamous $8 gladiator sandals I bought. The ones my friend Lindsey said, “You paid too much” when I asked her opinion of my bargain find. This will certainly provide some great laughter. But what else will they say about me? Will they say I was genuine, or fake? Will they say I was a true believer, or a BINO; a Believer in Name Only?
I knew a couple who seemed to know the bible inside and out; backwards and forward, they knew scripture by heart. They can tell you chapter and verse when you bring up a story. But when I sat back and listened to them at a dinner event, their biblical wisdom did not seem applicable. In other words, they did not reflect Jesus. They very much reflected the world, in that there was a lot of anger and hate, even, in what they were saying. BINO came to mind. Certainly not my place to know what is in their hearts, but when many of us are busy saying one thing and doing another, we look like a BINO to the non-believers.
I was so disappointed in this couple I once admired. These two people had been such an inspiration to me for quite some time. But anytime we place our hopes in anyone other than Jesus, we will certainly be disappointed.
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up, in love, as each part does its work.” - Ephesians 4:15-16 (NIV)
I want to be known for speaking the truth in love, and therefore I will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up, in love, as each part does its work.
If I am living my life in a manner supporting this scripture, I will not be a, “BINO.” I will be a Believer who is justified, sanctified and glorified.
Pastor Steve Lawes taught us over and over; being justified is we are saved; just as if we never sinned. Being sanctified, we are being saved; the Holy Spirit is changing us and leading us. We are glorified; we will be saved. When Jesus comes back for us and when Heaven and Earth meet … this is when we will be glorified; we will be spending all of our eternity with God, dwelling among us.
I do not want to be known as a BINO. I want to be known as a Believer! Justified, Sanctified, Glorified.