"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13 verses 34-35
We are called to represent Jesus, we are His ambassadors, and the way we live could determine the eternity of friends, family and strangers.
I have met countless numbers of people who have been turned away from Christianity because of their experience with Christians. I also recognise the sad truth behind common statements towards the people who attend our churches.
"It just seems to me that Christians are mad at the world and mad at each other. They are so negative that they seem unhappy. I have no desire to be like them and stay upset all the time." (www.christianpost.com)
"I really can't tell what a Christian believes because he doesn't seem much different than other people I know…" (www.christianpost.com)
It's time to make a difference in the lives of the people around us! We have been equipped with the power of God, the very power that raised Christ from death! Ephesians 1 verse 19-20. The victory is ours, to be grasped and lived.
We must be on guard against the plans of Satan to distract and tempt us from this purpose. We must spend time daily with God in order to be led by the Spirit, not our flesh. We must willingly open ourselves to change as weaknesses are exposed.
Attending Church is important but if you appear at Church on Sundays with a hangover each weekend, don't respect people's property, get angry at your kids all the time or … how effective are you really going to be in drawing others to faith?
How to be noticeably a follower of Jesus
I've been challenged in some of these areas. In particular, I want to be noticeably different than other parents in the way I relate to my children and I want to respect other people's fickleness even if it seem pointless to me.
In reality however, ALL my actions and words will either reflect or reject my faith and it could be the seemingly insignificant things I do and say that make a difference in someone's life.
One example, that I witnessed, was at a road closure due to a marathon being held in the city. A car approached the road block and the passenger of the vehicle proceeded to express their anger to a volunteer that the traffic disruptions meant they were late for Church. The volunteer later remarked how ironic it was that a church goer was so angry at an incident like this.
Unfortunately I didn't think quickly enough to respond with a comeback comment of worth but I did realise how easy it is to slip into a poor representation of Christ through one short conversation.
As we are each on a different journey of faith we will have areas in our lives that need to be 'worked on' more than others. The important point is not how much we need to change but whether we are seriously ready to take the challenge of making changes and attempting (with the help of our very gracious, merciful and powerful God) to reflect and glorify the Lord in all we do.
Will you make a commitment towards Christlikeness and show your friends, family, work colleagues and the stranger down the street who He is?
Will you spend time daily with God reading His word and praying?
Will you ask other people you respect how you can better represent God?
Will you address issues when they arise?
Will you be on the alert and combat a sense of frustration, anger, lust, selfishness and pride or allow it to control you?
These aren't decisions others can make, they can support you, but the final decision rests on your shoulders and it will impact eternity.
Choose, as I also attempt to, Christlikeness. Choose a life that is noticeably different. Choose to show the world through your words and actions who Jesus is and the incredible gift He has given us through His life and death.
Tim Wilson is married with two children who served with YWAM for five years in Brisbane and now serving in mission in Canada.
Tim Wilson's archive of articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/tim-wilson.html