A teenage boy had just passed his driving test and inquired of his father as to when they could discuss his use of the car.

His father said he’d make a deal with his son, “You bring your grades up from a C to a B average, study your Bible a little, and get your hair cut. Then we’ll talk about the car.”

The boy thought about that for a moment, decided he’d settle for the offer, and they agreed on it.

After about six weeks his father said, “Son, you’ve brought your grades up and I’ve observed that you have been studying your Bible, but I’m disappointed you haven’t had your hair cut”.

The boy said, “You know, Dad, I’ve been thinking about that, and I’ve noticed in my studies of the Bible that Samson had long hair, John the Baptist had long hair, Moses had long hair, and there’s even strong evidence that Jesus had long hair”.

Dad’s reply? “Did you also notice they all walked everywhere they went?”

The point? The purpose of the word of God is not to be twisted or pulled apart merely to support our own particular way of life – the Word is the foundation of our faith. It is not to be bent according to our own purposes but it is to form us and shape us into the image of God … with or without long hair!

I’m not sure where this poem comes from but the words hold true.

You are writing a Gospel
A chapter a day
By the deeds that you do
And the words that you say
People read what you write
If it’s false or it’s true
Now what is the Gospel
According to you?