Luffy Gains Fellowship
Modeling life for those around us
Happy Friday, my fellow anime lovers!
How are all of my friends doing this fine week? I hope it's been an amazing one for you! I am pleased to share that I will be leaving soon for my first mission trip in Japan, which has me excited and nervous at the same time. The upcoming trip got me thinking, “How am I going to point people to Christ?” This is a question that’s just as applicable in daily life as it is to an overseas mission trip, so maybe you’ve asked yourself the same question. Let’s see what the Bible has to say on the matter:
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
- 1 Timothy 4:12 (ESV)
The idea of “setting an example” reminds me immediately of Monkey D. Luffy and his ability to gain friends and admirers. Watching One Piece made me realize that he had characteristics that drew people to him, which in turn made me think of Jesus’s ministry. Luffy and Jesus both possess unique qualities that make them stand apart.
In the case of Luffy, he is loud, flamboyant, and brutally honest. But more importantly, he’s loyal and comes through in times of need. Several members of his crew thought silly or crazy, a couple tried to bring him ill will. And generally, few of the Straw Hat members admired their captain straight from the get-go. But when their eyes were opened to what a true friend and ally Luffy was, their admiration grew, and their loyalty became unshakable.
We as Christians are drawn to the character of Christ. Like Luffy, he is often brutally honest, kind, and a true friend. But even more so, he tells us that He is God himself, comes down to love us and give Himself for us. He is the truest friend we can have and the exact one we all need.
After we come to know Christ, transformation starts to happen within us. The Holy Spirit works in our lives and changes our character to be more and more like him. Just as Luffy's crew exhibits characteristics like his, we do the same as our Savior, and people will see Christ in us. Stay loving, truthful, and forgiving, and the Holy Spirit will draw people to Christ with us as models.
Weekly Mission: Reflect on your life. Write down at least three key things you could change to demonstrate Christ-like behaviour, especially in a public setting.
Memory Verse: “…but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…” - 1 Peter 3:14 (ESV)
BtT in Review
“Pleasure” is a dirty word—or at least that may be the inference to you if you’re a Christian. Claire looks at the series, ‘Tis Time for “Torture,” Princess, and what it says about what pleasure really means for the Christian.
Check out the snippet of episode 23 of The Power of God and Anime podcast above—which is the first in a special series on Job, and listen to the whole episode on our website, Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen to podcasts!
Cozy up with a new manga and manhwa recommended on Reader’s Corner. Read about titles like A Star Brighter than the Sun and Mr. Villain’s Day Off.
Artists continue to produce outstanding pieces to show their love of works like Oshi no Ko and Steins;Gate.
See y’all next week! God bless!