Recently someone ‘Listed’ me on Twitter as ‘churchy’. I’m pretty sure it was not a compliment. Today’s post will likely seal my fate as ‘churchy’.
It seems that every week I hear news of Christians behaving in ways that are definitely un-Christian. One person walks out on their spouse and children and moves in with someone else. Another person is arrested for drunk driving. Yet another arrested for child molestation. Someone embezzles money from their employer, while another commits fraud in their business. Lying, cheating, stealing, shacking up and all manner of bad behavior. Really? What in the sam-hill are they thinking?
Before you leave me a comment or send me an email accusing me of acting
high and mighty like I’ve never done anything wrong,
let me set the record straight.
I’ve been the worst of offenders in regard to sexual promiscuity. I’m sure I have taken a pens or notepads from an employer at some time in the past. In my twenties I drove when I was too drunk to be behind the wheel. I am not angel and I think that is why I get so frustrated with bad behavior. I know how easy it is to try to justify bad behavior. I’ve done it and there is no justification for it.
We are not surprised when those who don’t know Jesus act like a person who doesn’t know Jesus, but when a Christian acts like a person who doesn’t know Jesus…well, it can be devastating. When I was writing the Legacy Bible study, I came across a verse of Scripture from Titus 2 that is frequently used to encourage older men and women to mentor younger men and women in their Christian walk. Have you ever read it in The Message? Ya’ll, it slayed me. Stopped me dead in my tracks. Take a minute and read it from The Message:
1 Your job is to speak outon the things that make for solid doctrine.2 Guide older men into lives of temperance,dignity, and wisdom, into healthy faith, love, and endurance.3 Guide older women into lives of reverenceso they end up as neither gossips nor drunks,but models of goodness.4 By looking at them, the younger womenwill know how to love their husbands and children,5 be virtuous and pure, keep a good house,be good wives.
We don’t want anyone looking downon God’s Message because of their behavior. (emphasis, mine)6 Also, guide the young men to live disciplined lives.7 But mostly, show them all this by doing it yourself,incorruptible in your teaching,8 your words solid and sane.Then anyone who is dead set against us,when he finds nothing weird or misguided, might eventually come around.
Right there in verse 5 is where I got the wind knocked out of me. “We don’t want anyone looking down on God’s Message because of their behavior”. Oh, no!! Have I, by my behavior, caused others to look down on or disdain God’s Word? Oh my word, I’m sure I have. Lord, please forgive me for causing another to stumble or pass up the opportunity to have Jesus as their best friend.
Think, people! Think before you act in a way that you know is wrong.
You could be the reason a lost person walks away from Jesus. Everything you do and say is part of your LEGACY. Think, my friend, before you act.MEDITATION MOMENT:
Do you want to be the reason someone looks down on the gospel?
Is your momentary pleasure worth risking someone else’s eternal future?
Do you want to be the reason someone looks down on the gospel?
Is your momentary pleasure worth risking someone else’s eternal future?
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