A stressed-out woman was driving through heavy traffic, tailgating the person in front of her, laying on her horn, and screaming and gesturing wildly because she missed a yellow light.
Right in the middle of her rant, she was pulled over by a police officer. After questioning her, the officer said, “I’m very sorry for the mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you, and cussing up a storm.”
“Then I noticed the ‘What Would Jesus Do’ bumper sticker, the ‘Follow Me to Sunday School’ sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish on the trunk,” the officer continued. “Naturally, I assumed the car was stolen.”
It’s a cute joke and the first time I heard it, I laughed.
I think we all want to see others get what they deserve, it’s just human nature. But now, it makes me think. What’s my example? And honestly, I’ve yelled at drivers for not driving as I think they should. Thankfully, my window was up, so no one heard. Plus, here in Texas, a lot of drivers are armed and definitely dangerous, so I tend to err on the side of caution.
That said, when Paul told Timothy to “set an example, for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.” While it was directed at him, it applies to us. (1 Tim. 4:12 NIV) And in Colossians, when Paul told the believers that, “whatsoever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,” (Col. 3:17) ending in verse 24 with “it is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
It reminded me of the question that if you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you. And honestly, I have my doubts about a lot of so-called Christians. They may talk the talk, but they sure don’t walk the walk. Sad to say, even I have had days where my actions have spoken a lot louder than my faith in Christ.
I love a good quote!
Here’s one from Gandhi that hit home. “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” How sad is this? I mean, haven’t we all met people throughout our day that are members of the church right down the road, but we’d never have guessed by their actions or words? And I’m sure we’ve seen the cars with the “Jesus Loves You and So Do I” stickers that make us wonder what kind of love they mean.
Brennan Manning said, “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 with their lifestyle.” And while I’m not so sure about it being the greatest cause, I’ve heard so many people tell how the actions of people professing to be Christians have turned them away from the church.
But it’s not just the lukewarm or hypocrites that drive people away from Christ and the church. It’s the over-zealous and self-righteous individuals who think they are better than everyone else. If we as Christians act just like the world, why would anyone want to be a part of Christ? We must not only walk the walk, we must talk the talk.
What does our conduct portray at home, church, work, and in the world?
Do our words build up those we come into contact with? Are we showing love to those whom we deem unlovable, remembering that Christ died for them too? Do we live our faith for all the world to see, or do we set it aside during the week and just pull it out for church on Sunday?
Our consistent, daily actions are proof to the world of who we really are.
Proverbs 27:19 says, “As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.” (NIV)
As I said, I love a good quote so here’s another. “Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some person ever reads.” William Toms. Our character and actions are to be reflections of our faith to those who don’t or may never read a Bible.
Many years ago, way back when I was a kid, we had a next-door neighbor we’d never spoken to. And it wasn’t because he was unfriendly; we were kids, he was older, and mom worked, so she had little time to socialize. But one Sunday morning, he was waiting for us as we left for church. He was concerned because our car wasn’t home when it should have been (Mom changed work shifts, and he went to bed early). He knew we always went to church, though, and was just checking on us. Turns out he went to a different church than us, which is why he knew we went too. But it stuck with me as a sixteen-year-old kid. We were just living our lives, but he was watching.
And people are watching us today, too.
Our speech must build up others instead of tearing them down. A pleasant word can make the day for someone going through a hard time. Kindness to a stranger can make an impression that lasts. Not long ago, while waiting in a checkout line, the lady ahead of me was having issues. She and the cashier apologized, but I just said it was no big deal, that I wasn’t in a hurry, and to do what you need to do. They both thanked me for my patience and kindness. An extra moment meant nothing to me, I wasn’t in a rush, but this happened in a Christian bookstore. If I’d blown up and gotten angry, it definitely would have left a bad impression.
People are more influenced by what they see than what they hear us preach. Paul told Titus, “In everything set them an example by doing what is good.” (Titus 2:7 NIV) so that “those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” (vs. 8) This is another one of those exhortations that applies to each of us.
By choosing to give grace, we are sharing God’s love. When we practice empathy, we let others know their feelings and perspectives are valued. If our lives point to the goodness of God, we are pointing the way for others to come to Him.
Here’s the thing, though. We all have fallen short. Remember Romans 3:23? “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (NIV) We are all going to make mistakes. We are all going to do things that bring dishonor on God. Things we’ll have to ask forgiveness for.
And just as God is faithful to forgive our transgressions, we must forgive others for their slights against us. (1 John 1:9) One thing I learned a while back is that we don’t know what the person who angers us is going through. Maybe they are rushing to the hospital for a few last moments with a loved one when they cut you off. Or maybe it’s a sick kid at school that needs a pickup. We just don’t know.
Known by our love.
In John 13:34, 35, Jesus tells His disciples to love one another as He has loved them, and that by this, the loving of each other, men will know they are His disciples. This applies to us also. Some days it’s easy to love everyone. On other days, some people are hard to love. We must remember Christ loves even those hard to love and died for them too. It’s our job to show that love to them.
John Wooden said, “If I were ever prosecuted for my religion, I truly hope there is enough evidence to convict me.” This is my hope also.
Well said.