Thursday, December 15, 2011

Reflect Jesus Outward

“You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’” -- Matthew 15:7-9

The question was from his heart. He wanted to know what we’re supposed to say when an nonbeliever questions a God who does such awful things. Excuse me? Not my God!

But I understood where he was coming from. There are many awful, tragic things done in God’s name. Wars have been fought in His name. Governments are overthrown in His name. Mass suicides are organized in His name. Mothers murder their children in His name.

Anyone can claim to do something in God’s name, by God’s direction. That doesn’t make it true. And that’s what we need to tell people who question a God they think approves of such awful actions.

God is loving and kind. Does He punish those are do evil? Absolutely. Does He punish His children who stray? Without a doubt. But all He does comes from a place of love. He is fair and just. And He forgives those who repent. He restores those who stray.

Of course, most Christians -- or those who claim to be believers -- don’t start wars or murder people. It doesn’t mean we live our lives as we always should. We stumble and fall. We treat people unkindly. We argue. We get snippy with the store clerk. We cut off other drivers in traffic. We fail Jesus every day.

We are called to live our lives to a higher standard than others. We are called to reflect Jesus’ light outward and to view the world through His eyes. And sometimes we don’t. Our actions can cause others to turn away from God. Our behavior leads others to blame Him for our choices.

If you were the only Christian someone would ever see, what would that person think being a Christian means? If you were the only Christian someone would every know, what would that person learn?

Everyday “Christians” go about their hypocritical lives, giving nonbelievers excuses to never hear what God has to say. You can help negate that by living your life so that others see Jesus’ light reflected outward from your heart to the world.