Be a true Christian - live the outlaw life

I've been thinking lately about Christianity and how it lines up with the motorcycle madness I've experienced lately. I believe I've finally made some sense out of the whole thing.

You see, it appears that at least part of the lure of riding a big V-Twin down the two-lane blacktop comes from sensing the rumble and roar under you as the asphalt whizzes past just inches form your heels. And there's also the thrill of being out there in the elements without a roll cage, windshield and power-lock doors. You've just got to put your faith in the machine your sitting on.

I have to admit that there are motorcycle riders, and then there are real bikers -- hard-core types who "live to ride and ride to live." The differences aren't that hard to see.

Real bikers are easy to notice in their weathered leathers and sleeveless denim shirts.

Motorcycle riders may not own leathers (jackets, chaps, gloves, and other protective items) and if they do, they still have creases. Most of them wear Harley shirts with collars, don't ride in the rain, stop 30 miles from Sturgis to unload their bikes for the ride in, and have special pockets in their saddle bags for cell phones or laptop computers.

The more I thought about it, the more I saw that real bikers have adopted a very radical lifestyle.

Then I saw the similarities between bikers and Christians. Jesus came to call us to a radical lifestyle. The problem is, although we are called to radical Christianity, many of us have settled for what one pastor called "pastel" Christianity and have lost sight of the original vision of Christ. We're more like sunny day weekend riders than the gang of radicals Jesus referred to when he prayed: "I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world."

You see, if you believe the New Testament, Jesus really has called us to be outlaws -- to live outside the laws of this world and inside the law of God's grace. He's called us to be citizens of another world; a breed apart; a counterculture kingdom of truth. When that happens, we will see lives changed; followers will become true disciples; our faith will become evident become it will work itself out in our day to day lives; and we will share His love with the world.

Real bikers love to slip into their worn black leather and ride off into the wind, looking for another Sturgis or Daytona. Real Christian need to be willing to strap on the leathers of a counterculture spiritual life and ride off into the winds of this world, looking for opportunities to share the Good News.