Before I got saved, I had this huge pet peeve about “Christian” people walking around constantly screaming “hallelujah,” or “GOD is good,” etc. While simultaneously, these same people were committing malicious acts like lying, stealing, cheating, and just living the opposite of GOD’s word. I wasn’t that into church at the time, but I knew that what their actions spoke, GOD would not be too proud of. Now, that I am saved (and learning about my virtue), I wonder how do people see me? Am I giving people Jesus or do they still see the old unsaved me? How do people see you? Do your actions line up with the scriptures that escape your tongue?
I know that one of the easiest ways to turn unsaved people away from GOD is being a hypocrite. Yes, it may sound harsh but it’s very true. I have learned that people searching for GOD are eager to see someone living for HIM rather than just memorizing his verses. From my own personal experiences, I know this to be true. I remember being surrounded by so many people who grilled me with bible verses, yet in the same breath would “sale” their soul to the devil in a heartbeat. “Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye” (Mat 7:5). I can’t express how confused and disgusted I was.
Because I’ve been there, I try to watch what I say and how I carry myself. I want my stride, my demeanor, my smile, my clothes, my dialogue, my job, my family, my friends, my church, and my decisions to speak Christ, “Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them” (Mat 7:20). In laymen terms, I want to practice what I preach! Of course this will not always happen because I am far from perfect. And no, I don’t mean walking around with my noise in the air acting as if I don't sin. But I want to show people, (including my enemies) love. When people see me, I want them to know that GOD resides in me instead of asking, “Who’s that girl?”
The next time I’m driving in my car and some random person cuts me off, I will skip the idea of retaliation, and substitute it with a nod and a smile, (it will take some practice). Once again, I want them to see GOD in me. You never know; it may be the only resemblance of GOD that they’ve seen in a long time. My prayer is that we all receive GOD’s word and implement it into our daily walk. Remember people are watching.
LOV,
KPA
Once raised by a Virtuous single mother, I am now a strong Virtuous Fashionista, who wants to be a GODLY example to others, who is able to forgive my enemies, who has high expectations of me, who has been created in GOD’s own image, who lovingly submits to my spouse, who understands GOD's love, has an intimate relationship with GOD, supports Breast Cancer Awareness, with a family who honors me, Virtuous friends who love me, and with a giving spirit.
Mrs KPA, ; )
ReplyDeleteOkay, just food for thought. I love this LOV (as I do the others of course), but just from my view, my primary reason for not liking "church folk" was because they came off as IF they did no wrong. As if one day they got saved and then just became this perfect, non sinful person, when in reality, as the bible says "All have sinned" (Romans 3:23). I think that sometimes once we get saved we forget the old "us" and that in turn turns ppl away from us who arent where we are now. (If that makes sense). So for me, it wasnt that I saw them quoting "Hallelujah" but more so that they couldnt meet me where I was, because they were so concerned with putting on the "Praise the Lord, God is good" masked facade. Cause while I know God is good, I wanted to know that those christians were human too. That they DO make mistakes, that they DO have human fleshly desires, but that they are yielding to their sinful nature not because of what they were doing (their works), but because of Christ. I admit that when I first committed my life to the Lord, learning that balance was really difficult, and can still be at times. I probably ran people off with my "bible toting, and scripture quoting" (lol) But as Im maturing, part of me doesnt ever wanna completely forget the "old me", because by remembering "her" I am reminded of Gods grace, mercy, and the nature of what Jesus put us here to do. To win souls, not by being *perfect* but by being *perfectly imperfect*.
So I just wanted to say that. :) We gotta make sure that in the midst of us living for God wholeheartedly and "Practicing what we preach" that we dont completely forget where we came from, or what the "lost" need to see in order to get to where we are (per say). Cause if we dont, we will be no different than the pharisees in the bible who were quick to show everyone how "righeous" they were, but werent willing to get "down and dirty" with the drunks, drug addicts, prostitues, etc... like Jesus did. ; )