It’s a pretty disgusting, disengaging, depressing view of the world. But one that I think a lot of people live with. And for Christians, it’s something that has to be redeemed and recreated in us through the power of salvation (but that’s a different thought altogether). However, for the person who has not begun a relationship with Christ yet, it is a most natural state. And it has been a natural state for a long time. Christians are supposed to live by faith, but we are not supposed to ask people who aren’t Christians to live by faith. If you don’t believe in Christ or Christianity, then you are allowed to say, “I’ll believe it when I see it.” And we, as Christians, can’t say, “Don’t judge me,” or, “I’m only human.” We have to be willing to back up the message of the Gospel with tangible evidence.
I am reminded that Jesus said that people would know we are His disciples by our love for each other. And, if people can’t see that love, then they are allowed to question our Christianity. We have to live in such a way to lend credibility to the Gospel. We have to live in such a way that our lives make the Gospel attractive.
Over the past could of days, I have been confronted with this thought, and I think there are several other things besides love that gives our message credibility.
Service gives credibility to the Gospel. Service outside of your church, but also service inside your church. If you are willing to give your time and energy in service, people will ask why. The cynic will say, “The church is using you. That’s why you volunteer. They have manipulated you.” But we can say, “I serve because I believe.” The Gospel is not empty, it’s backed up by life in service.
Tithing gives credibility to the Gospel. If you give you’re money to something, it’s because you believe in it. Giving 10% may seem absurd to those outside Christianity, but to those who have been transformed by the power of Christ and the Holy Spirit giving 10% of your income is natural. People will notice when you give. Don’t be ashamed of your giving; don’t stop your giving. Giving your money gives credibility to the Gospel.
Power gives credibility to the Gospel. If the message of Christ is that salvation can change your life, then we should exemplify that with power. Healings, miracles, prophecy, signs and wonders should be a regular part of our lives. The Holy Spirit must be working in us and through us, powerfully. Power gives credibility to the Gospel.
So the question for myself, and for all Christians, is “What can I point to in my life so that people will believe it when they see it?”
gah! i am such a fool for this, its insane. the whole “i’m only going to let you see and know what i want you to see and know”. im slowly finding out that i am a compulsive liar, mainly because i find it funny. i have a sick sense of humor. with people that i meet for the first time or know that im never going to meet ever again is when i really shine. at the end of the night i always say “wow, i kind of feel bad for lying so much”, only the people that are closest to me know who i really am. then i think, well if i can lie and be deceitful to others, then why cant they do the same to me? which in the end makes me question everyones intentions. its hard to always let people know what im thinking or feeling, im a terribly emotional creature and the things that im thinking always seem to piss someone off, so its better if i just dont.
i cant say how many times i have heard the whole “they are using you for your talents”, and if i actually listen to them, sometimes i feel that way, when i know in my heart thats not even close to the truth. if i use my talents in church, its simply because i want to, its the only thing that i have to offer, its the only thing i have to give. my talents are the only commission i have to give to God.