Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Do You Walk the Talk?


“We try to live in such a way that no one will ever be offended or kept back from finding the Lord by the way we act, so that no one can find fault with us and blame it on the Lord. In fact, in everything we do we try to show that we are true ministers of God.” 2 Corinthians 6:1-4

Our lives are living testimonies of our faith. The way we act, our speech, our attitude, our level of patience and understanding, our reaction to persecution, trials and problems are a witness to others of what we truly believe. We can claim to be Christians to those around us, but do our lives reflect true faith and submission to the Word of God? What influence are we really having on those around us?

How we live will either draw people to the Lord or keep them from finding Him. If unbelievers find fault with our lives then they will blame it on the Lord and reject the message of the Gospel. I know from personal experience that there are those people who will always try to find fault in us. However, we are still to prove ourselves to be true Christians by living blameless lives, knowing the Word of God, and staying true to the Lord even through persecution. Read what Paul says below.

“We have proved ourselves to be what we claim by our wholesome lives and by our understanding of the Gospel and by our patience. We have been kind and truly loving and filled with the Holy Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 6:6

“We stand true to the Lord whether others honor us or despise us, whether they criticize us or commend us. We are honest, but they call us liars. The world ignores us, but we are known to God” 2 Corinthians 6:8-9

Witnessing to others is more than just passing out tracks and going out in groups to share the Gospel. We are witnessing all the time to those around us with the way we live our lives and conduct our business. That is why it is imperative that we “Walk the Talk” being doers of the Word, not just hearers. If we are living daily to please God by obeying His Word and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us, others around us will notice. They will see the love of God in us and the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control). We become living testimonies to everyone around us of the power of God.

Paul’s life was proof to those that he ministered to that his message was truly from God. When Paul brought the Good News to the Thessalonians, it was not just meaningless chatter to them, no, they listened with great interest. What he told them produced a powerful effect upon them because the Holy Spirit gave them full assurance that what he said was true. Paul’s life was further proof to them of the truth of the message. So they also became followers of the Lord, becoming living examples to all the other Christians and unbelievers in Greece. (1 Thessalonians 1:4-10)

When our friends, family, and co-workers see our wholesome lives they will be more willing to receive our message from the Holy Spirit. We may even be the one who gets to reap the harvest of leading them to the Lord. Let us all walk the talk and prove ourselves to be what we claim to be, followers of Christ Jesus

2 comments:

lynnmosher said...

This must be God's theme lately. I have read a few on this topic and I just wrote one. Very different from yours yet still the same.

Lisa C. aka Trophy of Grace said...

lol..I love when I write something and I find it some where else too or my pastor will preach on the same or similar subject. It encourages me and reminds me that I am his conduit. It's so humbling and awesome to be used by God!

I will go to your site and search for your article.

Thanks for the comment..

My God is Faithful!

My God is Faithful!
Psalm 40:1-3 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.He lifted me out of the slimy pit,out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.