(The following is the June 16 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Romans 2 and pay close attention to verses 17-24.)
Christian actions can impact others’ understanding of Christ, the Christian faith, and the church. As people charged with reflecting the character of Christ, we should be mindful of attitudes, words, and deeds that misrepresent our Lord and are contrary to the teaching of God’s Word. We must avoid behavior that causes others to see us as hypocrites.
If we claim to know Christ, people are watching us. Unbelievers will readily notice any hint of hypocrisy and may excuse their continued unbelief partially because of our behavior. How tragic it would be for any Christian’s example to be why a lost sinner continues to reject Christ. Our Great Commission from Jesus is to go and make disciples of all nations. Being a reason for another’s unbelief is the opposite of that purpose.
Paul recognized this problem in Romans 2 when he noted how some people were strong on knowing God’s Word and speaking it but whose actions were the opposite of what they proclaimed. “You then, who teach another, don’t you teach yourself? You who preach, ‘You must not steal’ – do you steal? You who say, ‘You must not commit adultery’ – do you commit adultery? You who detest idols, do you rob their temples? You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?” (vv. 21-23). He references Isaiah 52:5 when he adds in verse 24, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
We should always be aware of our potential impact on others – for good and bad – especially if we claim to know Christ.
Next Step:
Reflect on your interactions with others this past week. Did you do or say anything in their presence that failed to reflect Christ properly? What can you do to remedy that situation?
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