Pastor Mark Dippre’s Reflection

What Kind of Christian Do I Want to Be?

This morning, I was asked a very powerful question that I spent lots of time reflecting and praying about. The question was, “In a world that is so filled with division and hate — where so many of our family and friends are living with depression and losing their faith — what kind of Christian are you going to be?”

What kind of Christian am I? That question is both personal and searching. It asks not only what I believe, but how I live. It presses beyond labels and denominations and examines whether my life reflects the heart of Christ. It is a question that when truthfully answered will change the very direction of your life. What follows would be a heartfelt response to how I hope to be a Christian in our world today.

I desire to be the kind of Christian who follows the example of Jesus Christ not only in word, but in action. Jesus spoke with authority, but He also lived with integrity. In the Sermon on the Mount, He taught, “Let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’, and your ‘no’, ‘no’.” (Matthew 5:37).

This verse reminds me that authenticity matters deeply. A faithful Christian should not hide behind empty words, exaggerated promises, or religious performance. My commitment to God must be honest and consistent. When I say I love, I must love. When I say I forgive, I must forgive. When I speak truth, it must be without hypocrisy.

Speaking up when I see injustice is part of living out that integrity. Scripture tells us in Micah 6:8, “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

To act justly means I cannot remain silent when others are mistreated or oppressed. Jesus Himself defended the marginalized and confronted religious hypocrisy. He challenged systems that burdened people without offering grace. If I claim to follow Him, I must be willing to speak with courage, yet with humility and love.

Compassion, mercy, and forgiveness are central to my faith. Jesus did not reserve compassion for the deserving; He extended it to sinners, outcasts, and even those who crucified Him. On the cross He prayed, “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34). That level of mercy is challenging, but it sets the standard. Being a Christian means choosing forgiveness over resentment and mercy over judgment. It means loving not only friends, but enemies. It means remembering how much grace I have received and offering that same grace to others.

Challenging others to turn from harmful or sinful ways must also be done carefully. Jesus called people to repentance, but He did so with compassion. In John 8, He told the woman caught in adultery, “Neither do I condemn you… Go now and leave your life of sin.”

Truth and grace walked together. If I correct someone harshly without love, I misrepresent Christ. If I ignore sin entirely, I also fail to reflect Him. True Christian character holds both conviction and kindness.

Am I willing to open my door to strangers and heal the brokenhearted? Hebrews 13:2 encourages believers not to forget hospitality, and Psalm 147:3 reminds us that God “heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

To be Christlike is to create space for others—emotionally, spiritually, and even physically. Hospitality is not just about a home; it is about a heart that welcomes.

Ultimately, the kind of Christian I strive to be is sincere, courageous, compassionate, and humble. Not perfect, but faithful. One whose “yes” truly means yes, whose life aligns with Christ’s teachings, and whose actions reflect the transforming love of God in a world that desperately needs it. That is the Christian I strive to be.