I’m sure you have hear it said, “people aren’t opposed to Jesus, but to the people who represent him”. The Christian church and it’s people are witnesses against ourselves. Each of us bears this responsibility.
“Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:14-15
Then Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the LORD, to serve him.” And they said, “We are witnesses.” Joshua 24:22
The nation of Israel agreed with Joshua, but when they strayed away from God to follow after other gods, they judged themselves, by their own actions, as guilty of breaking the Law of God.
We have the same problem in the church today. There’s a word for Christians who say one thing and do another. The word is hypocrite. We need to walk, demonstrate and live out our beliefs and what Jesus taught us to do. Yes, of course I understand that we are still sinners and we will sin. BUT, we can’t let our sin be our main reference people have for us. That is what leads to this quote and others like it:
“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” Mahatma Gandhi
The apostle Peter says, “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation”. 1 Pet 2:11-12
Peter admonishes us to live for Christ in such a way that it would actually draw people to Christ. This is the exact opposite of what happened to Gandhi. Furthermore, this is the exact opposite of what happens so many times to people who are watching us as well.
It’s not so much that Christians have an image problem. It’s far more likely that we have an integrity problem. Carey Nieuwhof
Too many of those who claim to be Christians or Christ followers tend to be judgmental, hypocritical and cold or unfriendly. We do not reflect the unconditional love of Jesus. We judge ourselves by our actions of not doing what Jesus commanded us to do.
Matthew 22:35-40 sums it up nicely.
Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
You can’t judge someone and love them at the same time. Carey Nieuwhof
Whatever we believe, how we act will demonstrate it louder than our words. Don’t let your actions make you a witness against yourself.
Meandering Moose 