What Example Do You Show Others

When are Christian folks going to remember that every time you call yourself a Christian, you invoke the name of God, and that if you then walk a walk that does not reflect the presence of Christ in your life, cast a vote that does not reflect the presence of Christ in your life, then you are taking the name of the Lord your God in vain?  Alan Keyes

A real Christian is a person who can give his pet parrot to the town gossip.  Billy Graham

I had a conversation with someone recently who gave me a picture of how other people see Christians.  It wasn’t pretty.  Sometimes we tarnish the Christian example we are supposed to be. 

Have you figured out that when you claim the title of Christian; you will be scrutinized more and your actions will sometimes mean the difference in someone coming to know Christ or never knowing Him. Your actions will be under close scrutiny and if you are like me, you will often fall far short of the name.

This particular individual who was talking to me made a statement that didn’t surprise me but it did remind me of how hard it is to be a Christ like Christian.  She was talking about a family member who goes to church every week multiple times; but she doesn’t reflect the behavior of what non-Christians expect of a Christian.  They got into an argument and she made this statement to the other person who claims to be a Christian; “You’re the reason I don’t go to church.  You go to church every Wednesday evening and Sunday pretending to be a Christian; but your actions are just the opposite.”     

If we claim the title of Christian we need to live it.  We can’t go to church on Sunday and act the part and then as soon as we walk out the door we take on our other persona.  If we are ever going to be a light in this dark world; we need to be different.  Different means you don’t walk out of the church doors and yell at your wife, husband or kids.  It means you take time to love and help others.  It means you are the same person when you walk through the church doors as when you walk through your office doors or the front door of your home. 

If we are going to take on the battle of a dark world, we must first work on us.  If church is a hospital for sinners then you and I should be the ambulance that gets them there.  Take this job seriously because God certainly does.    

   

Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, more often than not I am a bad example of what a Christian should be.  I fail over and over again and I don’t always reflect who You are or do a good job of showing others what an amazing Father You are.  Thank you for reminding me that I always need to be working on me so that when I claim the title Christian; I will live up to the name. 

      

Scripture: Behave Like a Christian

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.  Romans 12:9-21