Our actions truly speak louder than our words. Brennan Manning once said that "The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle." As believers, we're called to live above reproach. The Lord instructs us in Ephesians 4 "to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." Then in 1 Peter 2 we're reminded to "Keep our behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may on account of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation." My heart is grievous over the continual actions of Christians that live outside of Scripture. While this doesn't mean we won't sin, because we will, our day to day walk should follow the humility of Christ, showing growth and change, as we become more and more like Him.
"And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 5:2
I'm reminded of a story that I read about a missionary in India. This missionary was holding a bible study in her home to non believing Indians. At one point, one of the non believers got up in the middle of the study and left the room only to return later. At the end of the study, the missionary asked this woman why she left and then returned. Her reply was that as she was listening to the gospel, she was wondering if this missionary really lived as she preached. So she got up and went to speak to the maid that was employed by the missionary. A maid is the lowliest of the lowly in that country and typically the most mistreated. When the maid had nothing but praise towards the treatment she received by her employer, the missionary, the woman returned. She told the missionary that when she heard the words of the maid, she returned to the study, as she wanted to hear more about “this Jesus” that was being talked about. This woman did not just preach the Gospel, she lived her life in such a way as to be His light.
As followers of Christ, we need to ask the Lord for a teachable heart, a heart that is transparent and humble, a heart that can be transformed into the image of Christ as we continue to study the Word of God and seek to become more like Him. But when we ask for that transformation, we need to expect that the Lord will provide opportunities for us to exercise what we've asked Him for. I'm so thankful for the Spirit of God that abides within me, knowing that where I'm weak, He's strong, because in my own strength I'd be incapable of walking in His footsteps.
"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16
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