JOHN 13:35
"By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples: if ye have love for one for another.”
If you're on the job or in front of people at an important event, you make sure you are on your best behavior, that you come across correctly, knowing all eyes are on you - especially if you represent your company or a group of others who are counting on you to be "the face" of the organization. I had to do this as a receptionist, and doing national sales. If you are the first person from your job with whom people come into contact, they may judge the entire company based on their interaction with you.
Far more important is how we represent Christianity, the Church, and Christ Himself, especially in these politically tumultuous times, when there are many who have had negative experiences with people who call themselves Christians but don't model Christ-like Love, and thus have preconceived notions about what that means. Check your motivation too - do we want to represent Christianity well so that we look correct and righteous, or is it because we truly want others to come to know Christ so they can be saved?
Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet sought to please men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Someone's very salvation might depend on YOU! You might be the only Christian they ever come into contact with, or maybe they were struggling and it was you - a Christian - who reached out and lovingly touched them. Once while working at a restaurant, one of my fellow servers said to me, "You know, there's something different about you. You're so...nice? Why?" "Well, I'm a Christian." I said, which rolled off my tongue, but seemed bold in retrospect. But how blessed I was to have that opportunity! Thank Jesus that I had been representing him well!
This should not be seen as a duty or moral obligation, but as a joy - as a gift to desire fanning the flame and spread the Holy Spirit to others. It may be difficult and intimidating - out of our comfort zone as a human - but if we are walking with Christ, HE is our comfort. And if we are truly what we confess to be - an imitator of Christ - the love we need to share with the world should pour out of us naturally - it should be our default mode. How Much has God Loved US! That he sent his Son to die for us! It's the LEAST we can do, brothers and sisters, to share that Love.
Don't think you've got what it takes? Even Moses didn't think he was able to represent God.
Exodus 3: 11 But Moses said to God, “I am nobody. How can I go to the king and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”
12 God answered, “I will be with you, and when you bring the people out of Egypt, you will worship me on this mountain. That will be the proof that I have sent you.”
God will provide the PROOF that what you do and say comes from Him. And look at Paul - who used to persecute Christians!:
Galatians 1:13 For ye have heard of my participation in times past in the Jews’ religion, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and wasted it...15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace...6 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen...
Galatians 2:7 ... when they saw that I had been intrusted with the [g]gospel... 9 and when they perceived the grace that was given unto me, [i]James and Cephas and John, they who [j]were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, that we should go unto the Gentiles...
The Truth Paul received and was speaking was perceived by others, despite himself. The Bible shows us examples of this time and time again; if God calls you - which he has if you are a Christian - then he will equip you for the job!
When I first read today's verse, I immediately started humming the song, "They Will Know We are Christians." I've attached a great version below.
I've also attached a video by my favorite online ministry right now, Philia. In perfect alignment with today's verse, this video was just released today (March 22). It's about stepping out into the world and proclaiming our Christianity for all to see - despite how awkward it might feel at first. This video is a powerful challenge!
In a world of deception, in which even the name Christianity carries false teaching and the church of tares, people WILL recognize the truth, the True Believers, the True Church. How? By our Love, given to us by God. They will Know.
Be contagious today!