CHRISTIANS INCOGNITO!
Sunday’s Monday
It seems to be more apparent with each passing day, that many Christians are willfully accepting the world’s views toward personal convenience. Many are picking and choosing what they accept as right and wrong without consulting God. For example, as a child in Vacation Bible School, I was taught to always carry my bible to every spiritual meeting. The teacher reasoned that if you were a carpenter, you’d have a hammer or a brick mason, you’d have a trowel, or an electrician may have a screwdriver or a voltmeter. Why? They were always prepared for the task of their profession. The teacher went on to say, it is usually easy when gazing into a crowd to pick out the construction workers, office staff, executives, health care workers, and so on, because of the tools they carry or the way they’re dressed. But you can’t always look into that same crowd and tell who serves Jesus unless they’re carrying God’s word (the bible) and being kind to others. Jesus said in John 13:35 (ESV), By this, all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
In today’s society, Christians are traveling light as many have given up carrying the badge of God (so to speak) and opted to carry the bible on their smartphone. There is no harm in that because they still have access to God’s word; however, now no one can see that bible. I guess one could say they serve God as undercover ambassadors. Then there is the opposite extreme, I recently witnessed a local news broadcast where Christians were gathered all dressed in jackets and shirts covered with embroidered crosses, crowns, scriptures, and such. They looked great, but their words and actions did not match their attire. Is it any wonder people doubt? We seriously need to revert to square one and sync our outward physical appearance with our inward Jesus loving heart. Christians are publicly seen and judged by their fruit as is written in Matthew 7:20 (ESV), Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
I guess it’s human nature or the very evil that resides in man to see all the things around us that could use some adjusting. Our eyes are always focused outward finding fault and/or judging everything as good in our sight or displeasing for whatever reason. I catch myself in this trap much more than I’m comfortable with. I don’t mean to be judgmental but that is exactly what it is and there is no better tag for it. I know God is and has been dealing with me on this as He often has me turn the tables from what I find wrong in others to see if it’s one of my problems as well. If so, I am to rush before Him for the revelation of His fix and apply it immediately to my life, as it is written in Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV), 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me and lead me in the way everlasting!
Sadly, people most always know only what we openly show. The average Joe on the street doesn’t know me and truth be told doesn’t care to know me, with or without my difficulties. They are absorbed with the pain of their own and focused only on stopping that pain, whatever the cost. Unless I’m exhibiting compassion, kindness, helpfulness, and joy, why would they want to know me? I’m no different from the non-Christians without the fruits of God and who needs another friend in the same shape as them. It is a sad fact that the world is doing a much better job at marketing pain, pity, and poverty as comfortable than the Christians are at joy, unity, and the love of Jesus as the ultimate best. Far too many Christians are traveling incognito! People don’t know they are a child of God because they are not living and enjoying God’s love to its fullest. Many Christians today live without believing John 10:10 (ESV), 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. God’s promises will only carry the power in our personal lives that we allow, as they are designed that way. We act according to our beliefs!
Lord, I boldly step before your thrown today on behalf of we your children, especially those who need your boost today. Teach us to enjoy what you’ve given us to the point of which we’re unable to not enjoy the blessings you shower upon us. Help us to be that living billboard that entices those in need to desire to meet you. Have us become a catalyst for your righteousness, goodness, and glory feeding not only the lost but the troubled believer or the weary warriors. Dear God, have each of us awaken each day with Psalm 118:24 (ESV), 24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Grant us a clear and vivid vision of who Jesus is and bathe us in the unconditional love only you have for us. Amen
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK BY BEING A BLESSING TO OTHERS!
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