Our behavior and actions say more about us than our mouths ever will. We often say one thing, yet we do the opposite of what we say. There are times our words and our actions do not line up, and that is such a detriment to those of us who claim to walk with Christ. It’s not just a detriment to us as individuals, but it’s a detriment to those around us who should be able to look to us as individuals and realize that there is hope in this life. People should be able to look at us as Christians and know there is something different about us. They should know we are Christians by more than what we say, but what we do.
Do we still have tough times? Are we going to face trials and tribulations? Are we going to suffer and not understand things that happen to us? Of course. That’s part of life. But we have to conduct ourselves in such a way that even when the waters rise and even when the storm comes that the light inside of us still shines. Even when people are rude to us, even when we don’t agree with someone, even when people hurt us, we still have to conduct ourselves in a way that points back to Jesus. He is our lifeline, and He’s the lifeline to those who do us wrong as well, and we have to show them.
I like the way Paul puts it in Romans 12:9-21 when he tells us how we should behave as Christians.
He says “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 hot coals of fire on his head.’
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”
You see, the way we conduct ourselves is key to our walk with Christ. We must show the world who He is. When we react and respond to issues in ways that are not exemplary of Him, then we are doing ourselves and others a disservice.
Yes we have standards to uphold.
Yes, we should be angry about sin and we should stand completely against it and be totally opposed to it, but there is a way to do it and still behave like a Christian.
I can tell you the way not to do it and I’m sure some of you know who I’m talking about. I don’t like to call out names, but they don’t seem to mind being the center of attention, but those at Westboro Baptist Church, is the example of what not to do. Do you see compassion, or love, or any of the character of Christ anywhere in the way they conduct themselves? It’s not there. They’re a hateful group of people that twist scripture and my heart hurts for them because they are deceived if they think they are doing the work of God.
There is a way to approach people. There is a way to help people. There is a way to show people and conduct yourself and show them who Jesus is and what He did for them.
Have you ever considered that the reason a lot of people struggle with coming to Jesus is because someone who professed to be about Him conducted themselves in a way that was not reflective of Jesus and that became a stumbling block for them?
We’re not here to be stumbling blocks.
We’re here to be stairs. We’re here to help lift people up and direct them to Jesus, to our Hope, to our joy.
If the joy of the Lord is really our strength, then let that be our strength, and let that radiate off of us so much that it pulls people in.
We are vessels of the Most High God. Those of us that have been filled with his Spirit, have the responsibility of being good stewards of our bodies and good examples of Him. We are to present ourselves to Him as a living sacrifice. That means that even if He asks us to do things we don’t want to do, or talk to people we don’t want to talk to or don’t necessarily like, we are responsible to listen to the urges and respond to His prodding of us.
We are here to lead more people to His kingdom; to lead more people to everlasting life.
Desire the gifts of the Spirit, but don’t desire them because of selfish ambition. Desire the gifts of the Spirit so you can be an example of Him to the world that is full of lost and hurting souls. The world that needs a savior.
Conduct yourselves in a way that people want to know our savior, not always running around and pointing out their wrongs. Trust me, a lot of the time people are already aware of their wrongdoings, and it’s our job to show them the Way. The only way to heaven, which is through Christ Jesus.
Without love, without our walk matching our talk, we are useless, and I hate to put it like that, but it’s the truth. If we don’t act like Christians should really act, then we’re messing it up for ourselves and a whole lot of other people. God will still find a way to reach people, He will find a willing vessel that will do what He asks even if we won’t. I just hope and pray that not only in my life, but in the rest of my family and friends lives that follow Jesus, that we conduct ourselves in a way that always always always points back to Him.
“Though I speak with other tongues of men and of angels but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing”
(1 Corinthians 13:1-3 NJKV)
Paul again reminds us, as we live our lives, if we don’t do things with love, if we’re doing things for ulterior motives or for selfish ambition, we are missing the mark.
If we remember correctly For God so loved us, He gave His only Son, so we wouldn’t perish but have everlasting life. There is no condemnation in the Cross or in Jesus Christ, therefore there should be no condemnation in us. We were once sinners, and still live in a sinful world and have a sinful nature in our carnal bodies. Our carnal mind is always at war with God and our inner man. If we say we are without sin we make Him a liar. We all need Jesus, saint and sinner. And how we treat others and what we do unto them, the least of us, is what we’re doing unto Jesus Himself.
If you took time to read this I thank you. If you have any comments, I’d love to read them. If you have questions on how to become a Christian or anything else about God for that matter email me (Christian.stokes@yahoo.com).
I love you all and God bless you all.
-Christian Stokes
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