What if my belief was my behavior.
What if my deeds were my doctrine.
Congregates can forgive a pastor if he is unattractive, if he is unacademic, if he is uncultured, if he is unfocused, even if he is unsympathetic. But one thing they cannot seem to forgive, is if he is untrustworthy, if his words don’t match his life, if he doesn’t walk the talk. Hypocrites soon get noticed in the Christian world.
Yet aren’t we all called to be God’s witness in this world, not just those in the so called ‘full-time’ ministry.
This is a thought that struck me as I was looking through Titus this week.
Listen to what Paul tells Titus when talking about such people.
“They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.”
You see more important than the passing out of tracts is the passing out of your life, the viewing of your days.
I believe this is part of what is meant by the phrase ‘living in the light.’ Having your life on show, don’t hide it in the darkness, let it shine.
A city on a hill, a lamp on a stand; so let your life shine to others.
Jesus is calling us to a life where we are not embarrassed or shameful about any-part of our life.
Why?
Because the mistakes we’ve made brings glory to Christ, in His death and forgiving sacrifice.
And the good we do glorifies Christ, in His resurrection and indwelling power.
To do Jesus’ will Jesus’ way is to live a transparent life.
Keep the curtains open, don’t delete your browsing history, tell people how your week has been, tell people how passionate you are about something, actually be honest, talk to your family the same way in public as in private, if God shows you something in His word tell your work mate not just your church mate, if your frustrated with God tell them too. People need to see that we’re in a real relationship with a real God, that includes all the joys and frustrations, hopes and concerns, but one that’s the best and leading to heaven.
We really need to live transparently with people.
Then they’ll be able to taste and see that the Lord is good. That our God gives real life and hope, real faith and love.
We should tell people, ‘live with me for a while and you’ll see what I believe.’ This should be our outreach program.
It’s not about the new way of telling the gospel using only 3 elastic bands and paper clip, it’s life on life, it’s relationship, a transparent one.
If we live in that light, how much more important is it to do good, as Paul goes on to say in Titus 2…
“so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Saviour attractive.”
God’s made it clear in Titus (as well as other books) that we must not and cannot, for Christ sake, preach and not live, the two go hand and hand, it’s the two wings of the plane.
I think this could be the main verse of Titus.
“This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.” 3:8
Behavior verifies Belief
Deeds confirm Doctrine
Hope this helps
Standing on Grace
andy lamberton 