[Superman]

Yep. Absolutely. I've mentioned here recently that the core requirements of Christianity are simple. Paul tells us in Romans that if we believe that Christ is the Son of God, and speak that truth, we are saved. It's a simple as that. But not really. I've also warned that if you really do believe He is God's Son, then your believe will necessarily have a powerful impact on your behavior.

Now Dan, you speak of the observed behavior of Christians, or at least people who say they are Christians. I am reminded that Christ asked us to love God with all our being, and also to love our neighbor as ourselves. And here comes the part that's both hard and easy: This is what "love" is. If you've ever really experienced love, you know it is the desire to make someone else happy. Love is an outward thing. It is the opposite of selfishness. All sins are acts of selfishness. So, the picture Christ tried to paint for us in terms of our corporeal behavior is one of giving. Selflessness. Generosity. Focusing on others.

Here's another interesting way of looking at it, and humbling for those who think they're scoring high marks with God. There is one person in this world who, no matter how terrible they have been, no matter how surly, no matter how selfish they consistently behave, you will continue to love with all your heart. Even when this person is cheating their partners, stealing, lying, etc., you want the best for them. You want them to have something delicious to eat. You want them to have a nice car and you hope everyone treats them with generosity.

That person is you. And that might be the only person you truly love.