Good Morning Friends,
“You who brag about the law, do you dishonor
God by breaking the law? As it is written: ‘God’s name is blasphemed among the
Gentiles because of you.’” (Romans 2:23-24)
The statement above by Paul was made in
reference to the Jews. When the Gentiles looked at the way the Jews lived it
did not draw them toward God, it repelled them from God. By the way they lived
the Jews did not provide a compelling testimony of the value of following God. It’s
not that God is not worth following, but it was that the Jews did not provide a
good testimony to Him and so many Gentiles didn’t even give God the chance.
I’m challenged by Paul’s statement – not
because of how the Jews lived and the testimony their lives provided for God,
but because there are times when the same statement could be made about me and
about many who bear the name of Jesus. Sometimes – perhaps often – the way I live
my life does not provide a positive testimony of the value of following God. In
fact, there are times when the way I live my life might repel more people from
God than it would draw people toward Him.
Some time ago I heard about a march in
Washington, D.C. that was designed to promote a radical homosexual agenda.
Alongside the road as the marchers passed there were protesters. They were
spewing hatred toward those who were marching and doing it in the name of
Christ. The actions of those protesters certainly would not draw anyone toward
Jesus if they believed those protesters were accurately reflecting His heart.
That’s an obvious example, but I wonder how many much subtler actions of my own
have the same impact on people?
Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men,
that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew
5:16) Peter affirmed that same message, “Live such good lives among the pagans
that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and
glorify God on the day he visits us.” (1 Peter 2:12)
God desires that the way we live our lives
should draw others toward Him … not repel others from Him.
His, by Grace,
Steve
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