Making Jesus look good
2022-02-15Matthew 5:13-14 NKJV
If you didn’t tell them, would the people around you realise that you’re a follower of Christ just from what they see of your actions and attitude? If you’re not sure, have an honest think about how you’d answer these questions:
1) What’s your attitude like towards people in authority, such as your parents, a tutor, a boss or team leader? Do you resent their status or respect their authority?
2) How do you treat people who are younger, not as skilled, or less experienced than you? Are you critical towards them, or do you try to encourage them?
3) How’s your timekeeping? Do you do your best to meet deadlines and arrive on time, or do you find punctuality isn’t really a priority?
4) Do you try to do everything with a spirit of excellence, or do you tend to have a ‘that’s good enough’ attitude?
The way we deal with all of these things can tell us a lot about how we’re demonstrating Christ in our everyday lives. Of course, there’s much more to it than just those things, but they are all things that people around us will take notice of, whether we’re at home, university, work or church.
Jesus said: ‘You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavours of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness?…You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill…I’ve put you…on a hilltop, on a light stand – shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God’ (Matthew 5:13-16 MSG).