James 2:19 (NKJV)
19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!
So you don’t believe in God. That’s OK! He believes in you. But what about the fact that Satan’s demons believe in God? The heavens declare the glory of God. Why don’t you believe? Did you have some sort of bad experiences? Sometimes, the same person who waves to you real friendly in Church on Sunday gives you a different kind of wave when you cut him off in traffic on Monday and he is not telling you that you are number one. That is not setting the right example. I read the following quote from Brennan Manning and it really struck me. “The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians: who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.” ― Brennan Manning
How do you show the world what it means to follow a Risen Lord? How do you live? Is your life setting the example you want to set? Many of us are short tempered and can be downright nasty to others. A friend once said that some of the nastiest people he ever me were those who had attended many Bible studies. Do you think they learned what God really wanted them to know? In the Old Testament, God gave us the Law hoping we would follow it. That did not work out that well. Then, God sent Jesus to show us how to live the Spirit of the Law since we failed at the letter of the Law. Do you understand the Spirit of the Law? Love the Lord your God…..and love your neighbor as yourself. It is all about love and relationships. That is what God expects of you. He wants you to do justly and love mercy and walk humbly with Him (Micah 6:8). Can you do that? If you do, people will notice. They will want to see what these “Christians” are about. They will want to know more about relationships and how they can develop one with the Lord. Isn’t that the example we are supposed to set? Wouldn’t that be loving your neighbor as yourself? So today; wave to people with your Church wave with all the fingers together in the air. Oh yes, and smile too! Show them what it means to follow a Risen Lord!
Father, help us to follow You in a way that others will notice and admire. May we be examples of Your Son and show the Spirit of the Law. May we share the Good News with all those with whom we come in contact. Help us to shine Your light into all the dark places we encounter. In Your name we pray!
http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/27405.Brennan_Manning