WHAT DO THEY SEE?

A friend of mine, who recently opened the door to a personal relationship with Jesus, wrote of an experience she had as a young lady in High School with a teacher who was supposed to be a Christian. She had been physically and emotionally abused by this teacher, who was somehow able to turn the tables on this young lady, and have her thrown out of school. I’m sure that my friend had something to do with the behavior, but she did not do anything to warrant the physical mistreatment she received, ending up with pretty serious bruises on her face, as the teacher squeezed so hard to "catch her attention."

She didn’t know it, but through this experience with someone who professed to be a “Christian” and didn’t live the Christian lifestyle, her view of God was permanently distorted. This distortion led to a false misrepresentation of what God was really like. Somewhere deep on the inside she believed that since this person claimed to represent God that she didn’t want anything to do with a God like that.

Paul states in 2 Corinthians 3:2 that we are an “epistle….known and read of all men.” Hebrews 1:3 says that Jesus was the “brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person.” As Christians we are also responsible to reflect the character and nature of God, our Father. In Matthew 5:16 Jesus says that we should let our lights (lifestyle, character, temperament, etc.) “so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

What portrayal of the Lord do people see in your life? What is being reflected concerning His Character and Nature in your lifestyle? Deuteronomy 28: 10 says that “all the people of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the LORD," when you live right.

That kind of experience in a "religious" environment can sure leave a bad taste in a young ladies life. Who would want to serve a God whose servants act like that? As a result of experiences like these and the ungodly actions of other professing so-called "Christians" God gets a very bad reputation. It is easy to see why the world calls most Christians hypocrites, because sadly we do not reflect the love, character and nature of the God within us.

As with any title that is bestowed upon people, just because you have a title, does not mean you are what the title states. Many professing Christians aren't Christians at all, just living under a false pretense. Jesus said "Not every one that says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity." Matthew 7:23

I know many professing "Christians" who do not appear to have any relationship with the Lord at all. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why it took so long for Him to establish Lordship over her life. You'd be amazed by how many people are affected by actions of those who claim to represent God, yet don't even know Him personally. Anyone who openly claims the Lordship of Jesus over their lives, walks in obedience to His Word and Spirit, and reflects the appropriate fruit of that relationship in their lives, are the one's who can rightfully lay claim to the title Christian. Matthew 7:18-20.

Forgive those who have hurt you and like Paul says in Phillipians 3:13-14 "I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven."

Take a long look into the mirror tonight!
WHAT DO YOU SEE?
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?