Do You Look Like a Christian to the World?
Ephesians 4:6 therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.
Paul, speaking to the Church of Ephesus, was telling them that they must be above reproach in their lives, that they must maintain depth of knowledge, be wise in the teachings of Christ, and live accordingly.
What this world doesn’t need, and honestly should have never seen, is Christians living a worldly lifestyle, speaking with worldly language, and then spewing Scripture like the venom from a spitting cobra! Personally, there is nothing less appealing than an individual that proclaims to be a follower of Jesus Christ acting like a lost person—cursing, drinking, and being obscene.
Just last week I was talking with a man that professes to be a strong Christian and is in fact involved in mission efforts and teaches a Sunday school class. While we were talking, I heard him quote a Scripture and in the next sentence out of his mouth drop the F-bomb referring to a certain group of people being —ing idiots.
Folks, I don’t care how frustrated we get. We cannot succumb to such outbursts! Not only does it ruin our witness to our brothers and sisters, but it makes us look like fools and jerks to the lost. It’s hard to stomach secular Christians portraying a pompous attitude to others as if somehow they were above the rest of the world.
There are saved people today voting for ultra-left-wing non-believers who are promoting the slaughter of innocent babies through abortion just because their grandparents or parents voted for that particular party or because of some perceived hatred toward the other candidate.
I wonder how these people will attempt to justify this complicity to Jesus when He asks them why they participated in the unprovoked murder of his children?
As a Christian, my duty to my Savior is to appear to the world as Christlike as humanly possible in all situations! I, along with all other Christians, was given a commission to “go teach, baptize, and teach the Gospel to all the world”.
We cannot get that done if we are living like the lost. We are told to be separate from this world and the lost must see that! We cannot allow ourselves to be frustrated and angry with people that are lost or lack knowledge of the Word of God, because it is not the people that are the problem.
Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
This is fact! We are not dealing with people, we are in fact fighting a spiritual battle with the influences of the darkness. The devil seeks to confuse and lie to deceive people into believing God does not exist, so those people must see Christ in us!
1 Timothy 1:18 This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight,
Just as Paul directed Timothy in this passage, we must always fight the good fight and stay vigilant in our efforts to remain Christlike in appearance and above reproach in the eyes of the world. 2 Corinthians 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight
If we are earnestly walking by faith we will project Christ Jesus to all those we come in contact with. I believe there has never been a time when the true faith of believers needs to be seen by the world more than this time we are living in today. Paul said in 2 Timothy that he had stayed the course and fought the good fight.
(Some of you might be thinking that this is just a rant with some scriptures added, NOT TRUE! This is a wake-up call to all Christians!) We are seeing Bible prophecies play out in real time; these are the last days before Christ calls up His own into the sky and it can happen at any moment! Revelation 22:12 “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to reward each one as his work deserves.
There has never been more people that need to experience the love of Christ than there are today, and they must experience His love through His people! Colossians 3:12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also. 14 In addition to all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. We are told in the Scripture to “be not conformed of this world but be yet transformed by the renewing of your mind”. This can only be accomplished by knowing and understanding the Word of God!
I believe we are living the beginning of the end time—that time when we as Christians will be caught up to the presence of Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit is coming with us, allowing evil free reign over the earth.
The Bible says as in the days of Noah, people will be going about their daily lives doing every normal thing when Christ returns. We cannot be focused on worldly things. It is written, Matthew 6:19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Colossians 3:3 Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
We the people of Christ must be patient, loving, caring, and compassionate people. We must have the heart of Christ and show love and be considerate. No matter how some might frustrate us and even if they begin to anger us, we must practice what is commanded in the Scripture.
Proverbs 14:29 One who is slow to anger has great understanding;
But one who is quick-tempered exalts foolishness.
Many today know Christ as their Savior but don’t know Him as Lord. Is Jesus the Lord of your life? If so then you will have a deep desire to serve Him through obedience and action! We cannot allow ourselves to be lukewarm!
Kenneth Kellar
A Man Called by God to Teach and Disciple