We are called to be witnesses for Christ and His Church. Are we credible witnesses? Do our lives show others that we love God?
In the Gospel of John chapter 10 we read:
So the Jews gathered around him and said to him,
“How long are you going to keep us in suspense?
If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe.
The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me."
"The works I do in my Father's name testify to me."
What works did Jesus do that testified for him? He fed the hungry, cared for the widows, preached the good news of the kingdom of heaven, cast out demons, cured the sick and gave His life because it was God's will that He do so.
What works do we do that testify for us to the world that we are Christians?
Do we love our neighbor as ourselves? Do we feed the hungry? Take care of the widow and the orphan?
More simply, do we not speak poorly of our neighbor? Do we take care of our aging parents? Do we set a good example with our words and actions?
Whether we know it or not (or believe it or not) all of our actions are being watched by someone. Others who do not know God, but may be searching, are watching us to see how we behave differently than others who do not claim to be Christians.
There is a story that I cannot take credit for nor give credit for because I only remember it, I don't remember who told it to me. It goes something like this:
A young man, looking for a place to stay for a while, came to the home of a couple who claimed to be Christian. He stayed with them for six months. He took note of how they lived and learned from them. After six months he told them he needed to leave. They asked him where he would go, knowing that he did not have the money to pay for an apartment. He told them that he was now going to spend six months with a non-Christian and see which way of life he liked better.
If that young man had come to stay with you, would you have felt that he saw true Christianity in action when he was in your home? Would you have been thrilled to find out that that was what he was searching for or would you have wished that you had done a better job being a credible witness?
"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they will see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matt. 5:16)
What works did Jesus do that testified for him? He fed the hungry, cared for the widows, preached the good news of the kingdom of heaven, cast out demons, cured the sick and gave His life because it was God's will that He do so.
What works do we do that testify for us to the world that we are Christians?
Do we love our neighbor as ourselves? Do we feed the hungry? Take care of the widow and the orphan?
More simply, do we not speak poorly of our neighbor? Do we take care of our aging parents? Do we set a good example with our words and actions?
Whether we know it or not (or believe it or not) all of our actions are being watched by someone. Others who do not know God, but may be searching, are watching us to see how we behave differently than others who do not claim to be Christians.
There is a story that I cannot take credit for nor give credit for because I only remember it, I don't remember who told it to me. It goes something like this:
A young man, looking for a place to stay for a while, came to the home of a couple who claimed to be Christian. He stayed with them for six months. He took note of how they lived and learned from them. After six months he told them he needed to leave. They asked him where he would go, knowing that he did not have the money to pay for an apartment. He told them that he was now going to spend six months with a non-Christian and see which way of life he liked better.
If that young man had come to stay with you, would you have felt that he saw true Christianity in action when he was in your home? Would you have been thrilled to find out that that was what he was searching for or would you have wished that you had done a better job being a credible witness?
"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they will see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matt. 5:16)
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