Warren Wiersbe tells a
brief but powerful story in one of his books that illustrates the need for consistent daily conduct in our lives. He wrote:
“In
the summer of 1805, a number of Indian chiefs and warriors met in council at
Buffalo Creek, NY to hear a presentation of the Christian message by Rev. Cram
from the Boston Missionary Society. After the sermon, a response was given by
Red Jacket, one of the leading chiefs. Among other things the chief said:
‘Brother, we are told that you have been preaching to the
white people in this place. These people are our neighbors. We are acquainted
with them. We will wait a little while and see what effect your preaching has
upon them. If we find it does them good, makes them honest and less disposed to
cheat us, we will then consider again what you have said.’”[1]
The Christian life is a
fishbowl. Your co-workers are listening to hear if you use salty language when
you are at the watercooler. Your boss is taking note of your work ethic, to see
if you are the kind to cut corners. Your children are watching to see if you
are the same person at home as you are at church. As the old saying goes, “Most
people are more impacted by seeing a sermon than hearing one.”
Listen to the Apostle
Peter on this, “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when
they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify
God on the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:12).
“The day of visitation,” is
a reference for the Second Coming of Christ. That day will bring everything to
light. Some unbelievers will see Christ in us and will become believers as a
result of our testimony and good works. They will join us in joyfully
glorifying God when Christ returns. Others will watch us but will not believe
the gospel. Nevertheless, we are to live in such a way that the unbelievers who
face Christ as their Judge will have not have the excuse of saying that we were
poor witnesses of the Gospel.
The world should look at
the lives of Christians and admit, even if they don’t accept Christ or the
Bible, that we are people of integrity, humility and genuine compassion. There
are five Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and you. The problem is that most
people will not read the first four before they read you. We need to ask
ourselves, “As God’s children, what are we teaching the world about the
character of our Heavenly Father by our daily conduct?”
[1]
Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary:
New Testament (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2007), 905.
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