It is almost a standing rule among many business owners to shy away from those who during their “pitch” openly flaunt their religious beliefs. I hate to admit it, but recently I’ve been duped by some folks who made a big deal out of letting me know (and making me believe) that they were “Christians” in our early meetings; this in spite of my being wary of those situations.
I think this is among the most unfortunate of situations. The Bible tells us in Matt. 5;16: In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Instead of glorifying him these folks do horrible damage to the Father.
Recently I teased my grandsons ages 6 and 4 by telling them that they were ugly. They told me that I was ugly and we chided each other back and forth until their dad and mom came into the room just in time to hear one of them tell me I was ugly.
Uh oh . . .
My son was livid and ranted for ten minutes about it. Initially it made me mad at him and I told him that we were just playing a stupid game and to lighten up already. And then he told me something very poignant; he said that those boys repeated everything they heard and would take that diatribe to school and call their classmates ugly.
Oops . . .
I didn’t think about that. And most Christians probably don’t realize how their behavior impacts the non-Christians around them. If we cuss, fuss, lust, rip people off with dirty business deals, get drunk, act like infidels and hellions, and otherwise act like pagans, pray tell what is the difference between us? In fact perhaps we might should check and see if we really are born again believers . . .
More importantly what does that kind of behavior say to others about our God that we claim to represent? Ghandi is attributed to having said: “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
Why would he say such a thing? – Most likely because he never met any Christ-like people in this world, in spite of having lived on several continents. How many folks are turned away from Christianity because those who claim to represent our loving, non-violent, sinless, compassionate, merciful, honest, high integrity, and honorable Lord live the opposite lifestyle as He lived and desires for us?
Just know that when we act like idiots it does not glorify God’s name, it undeservedly shames Him.
Sigh . . . Right here and right now I pray to God and ask forgiveness for my moments of stupidity and hypocrisy and for letting my Savior down and I repent of those sins.
We should all strive to do better in this area. Selah . . .
Have a great weekend and go to Honey Lake Church this weekend. We have a great service planned. By the way if you’ve never heard how God transformed my life, (or have heard it and want to hear it again), then make plans to attend the October 26th service at Honey Lake Church when I will be giving my complete testimony. Services begin at 11 and Sunday school begins at 9:30 across the street from the church in the Gathering Hall.
Matt. 7:21
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
September 26, 2014 – Click here to listen