37Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one. Matthew 5:37 NLT
22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. James 1:22-24 NLT
Most Christ Followers would like to believe that they’re living within the Will of GOD, and that whenever something goes sideways, that either GOD is trying to get our attention, or we simply fell out of alignment with His Word (aka sinned) and we’re suffering the consequences.
I want to challenge you today to go a tiny bit deeper. Are you with me?
If a mirror were to magically appear and accompanied you throughout your day, would the very words coming out of your mouth match up with your behavior?
My point is this: for many of the onlooking unsaved people of the world, those who don’t know of the love of Jesus, you and I are He with skin. We are all imago Dei (image bearer of GOD) ~ believer and not-yet believer alike. However, all the more so are we who know of the immeasurable love of GOD, are called to live out our true selves as imago Dei (because we are).
26 Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” Genesis 1:26 NLT
Incongruence is when things just don’t add up. And that’s what the outside world is screaming when they are eye witness to some of the chaos, craziness, upside down activity demonstrated by some of us within the Body of Christ. And yet we scratch our heads and wonder, “I just can’t understand why they won’t come to church with me!”
Are they seeing us drunk and disorderly on the streets on Saturday night, and hearing us preach to them a sermon that was from the pulpit on Sunday morning?
Do they see and hear us hollering profanities at our children’s soccer or football coaches, throwing trash at the referees, and then be cornered by us with a gospel tract with our foot inside their front door?
We are not Jesus, so we will sin (daily). We cannot aim for perfection but we can shoot for excellence of character. Can I get an amen?
With that excellence comes the transparency of being every bit of who we were designed to be. The essence of our true character ~ quips, quirks, giggles, and snorts. (Yes, I did just say that!) When GOD creates, He makes no mistakes, doesn’t have the cherubim fly over with an eraser, and He certainly doesn’t have a Plan B.
We, humans, are living in our earthly temples and in a fallen world. Perfection isn’t part of our persona until we meet up face-to-Face with Perfection Himself, and that takes place in paradise.
So, while we are eagerly trying to spread the news about how much GOD loves and adores those who aren’t familiar with His Presence, we’ve simply got to make sure our walk (our lifestyle and behavior) and our talk (words, words, words) align. Or we’ve pushed people further away from the Truth.
Let’s flip the seats for a moment, and say that we are the ones who don’t yet know Christ. Or, think back to your BC (before Christ) days. What kinds of things repelled you from Christianity?
Strange phrases, or concepts that sounded bizarre? Or maybe could not be explained in a manner where you could understand?
Rigid rules about clothing, entertainment, or leisure activities? Prohibition towards going to the movies, or saying that tattoos are prohibited, or wearing certain clothing meant you were less than.
Lack of empathy or judgmental attitudes or behavior? Condemnation for having very negative past experiences, causing you to feel shamed and unworthy.
Clique-ish practices or demonstration of camaraderie for those who already were ‘in-the-know?’ People who have seemingly lived life well with others but are not exuding an inviting or welcoming demeanor to ‘new kids on the block.’
These are just a few, and I’m sure you could add to the list from your own experiences. Nonetheless, I think that we need to do a deep inventory of how we’re living our faith out loud.
“Is our life aligned with our theology?”
If the answer to that is anything less than a firm ‘yes,’ then we owe it to the ones coming up behind us to find out where we’re not living out the truth we say we believe.
Our walk will scream volumes to an onlooking world about what where our faith originates. We all know that even a toddler will be able to figure out what doesn’t line up and call us out on it. How much more will an adult with a discerning mind push back from a lifestyle that doesn’t give evidence of the words that preceded it.
Without going into much detail, I can say that I’ve had my share of experiences with Christians who have defended their wonky behavior. In most instances, I was able to put on my best poker face and not let the body language leak through (I’m surprised I didn’t develop TMJ). A few times I did come close to doing the face (you know which one).
When we sin, we need to repent and go back to the witnesses and let them know we were in the wrong. Period. This will affirm that we are not any better than they, regardless of what side of the Cross they presently stand on. Letting them know that just because we embrace and follow Jesus doesn’t draw a barrier of immunity from sin, nor does it excuse it. But it will show that we, too, are just as vulnerable as they are, and that being a Christian doesn’t equal some kind of sinless state of being.
Ongoing transformation … that should be the continuum we are on. Knowing the truth doesn’t grant us a perfect walk, but it will be a constant reminder that we are equipped to do the best we can when we live out the truth, one step at a time.
Empathy, compassion, and willingness to be interrupted are keys to letting the unsaved world know that they are always welcomed by Jesus. People need to know they are seen, known, heard, and loved. It is our prayer that they, too, will be able to reflect back on their own BC (before Christ) days.
If you’re up for the challenge today, Girlfriend, let’s do this together. It’s time to get real with ourselves so that we can be our real selves, unashamed to let our walk match our talk and allowing Holy Spirit to check us as needed. Let’s do our part so others can see that Jesus isn’t a judgmental condescending ogre ready to devour. But that He is eagerly awaiting to have a relationship with them.
Let’s walk this out with intentionality … and as needed, ask a trusted fellow believer to help you see what you may not see so that the walk and the talk are all one and the same and point back to Jesus.
I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~
LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary
Titus Two 