Mr. T: Christian Faith Was 'Tested Like Job,' Answers 'Only to God'
Actor and pop-culture icon Mr. T has opened up about his deep Christian faith, revealing that his battle with cancer tested his faith "like Job" of the Bible.
"I answer only to God. I got so much, got gold ... Rolls Royce [but] I didn't forget God. Every day I pray," Mr. T told Fox News in an interview published on Thursday, ahead of his participation in season 24 of "Dancing with the Stars."
The actor, who starred in hits such as "Rocky III" in 1982, was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma cancer in 1995, but is now cancer-free following treatment.
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He compared his struggles with his faith at the time to Job of the Bible, who lost his family, his health, his possessions and everything he had, but remained true to God.
"My faith was tested like Job. That's the message I try to tell other people, just because you believe in God, serve God, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, people gotta realize, it don't mean things not gonna happen to you. ... I believed in God when cancer come to me. Now when I speak, I speak with authority because I've been there," Mr. T explained.
What is more, the star will be donating his entire "DWTS" salary to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Mr. T said the Bible has taught him the most important lessons in life.
"Stay humble and be concerned for the less fortunate. ... I take food down to the homeless. I don't call up the press and say, look at me! My mother told me, son, if nobody else know, God knows. I do it for His glory."
The 64-year-old actor said he remains devoted to God through everything he has been through.
"Mr. T. been to chemo, Mr. T been to radiation, hair fall out ... but he's back. Now I can give hope when I go to the hospital, see the sick kids with cancer, tell them, don't quit. ... I serve God," he said.
Mr. T previously elaborated on his Christian faith in an interview with BeliefNet, sharing that he was first baptized when he was 4 years old, but was later re-baptized at an older age when he was able to more properly understand the faith.
"As a Christian you forgive and you feed the hungry, and clothe the naked, and you visit the sick, and comfort the lonely. If I'm a true follower of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I got to do the things you're supposed to be doing. You just can't say, 'I believe in Jesus' and then don't forgive somebody [or] hold a grudge against somebody," he said at the time.
"Don't get me wrong, if somebody jumps me I'm gonna fight. But I don't send out hate vibes if I don't like that person or the way that they dress. That's negative energy. Then there is a contradiction to the God I serve, the God of love. He forgave me, and I should do good to the people who cross me."
