See if you know
the answer to this question about clowns – Q: What material do you use to make
a clown outfit? A: Poly-jester! When we think of a clown we think of . . .
well, a clown. You know – a man or woman who “clowns around!” They wear funny
costumes and have funny faces covered in make-up. They wear a funny, red nose
and do funny stuff designed to make us laugh. Clowns are comic performers and
as such are the last group of people on earth we might think of taking
seriously. But that would be a mistake, and I’m not joking! A number of months
ago I stumbled upon an article on the internet @ www.clown-ministry.com, entitled
“Clown Code of Ethics – the eight clown commandments.” This code proved to be
very interesting, and revealed that sincere clowns are committed to honoring a
code of ethics and behavior that reflects well upon the profession of clowning.
Consider, for example, Commandment #4 – “I will remove my make-up and change
into my street clothes as soon as possible following my appearance, so that I
cannot be associated with any incident that may be detrimental to the good name
of clowning. I will conduct myself as a gentleman / lady at all times.” And
Commandment
#6 – “I will do my very best to maintain the best clown
standards of makeup, costuming, properties, and comedy.” Wow! Who would have
guessed clowns could be so serious?!
Many who
profess to be Christians could learn a
lesson from clowns. Like clowns, Christians ought to conduct themselves
according to a high code of ethics. Christians should avoid attitudes and
actions that would reflect badly on the name of Christ. Authentic Christians
seek to maintain the highest standards of Christian living. Men and women often
dishonor the name of Jesus and behave in ways detrimental to it. But God has
“highly exalted Him [Jesus] and given Him the name which is above every name”
(Philippians 2:9). Colossians 3:1ff is one of many New Testament passages that
clearly state the standard Christians are called to maintain. In that passage
the apostle Paul declares that those who are “raised with Christ” (after dying
to sin and being buried with Him in baptism – 2:20, 12) must be careful to “put
off” sinful actions and attitudes, including “sexual immorality, greed, anger,
malice, slander, filthy language, and lying.” The passage makes clear those who
are serious about Christian character will be equally careful to “put on the
new man.”
The code of ethics Paul describes calls us to “holy” and
to act like “the elect (i.e. chosen) of God,” to “put on tender mercies,
kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with one another, and
forgiving one another . . . . But above all these things put on love.” Clowns
take clowning seriously. And the Bible is clear true Christians don’t clown
around when it comes to following Jesus. Think about it.
--Dan Gulley
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