DO YOU LOOK DIFFERENT?

2 Cor. 5:17 “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” (NRSV)

A Christian, new or old (in faith not age) should not look like, act, or talk like, the rest of society. As society trends toward lawlessness, perversion, hatred, and conformity, the difference between “normal” behavior and the Christian lifestyle should become more and more noticeable. A wise old deacon once asked the question: “If you were put on trial for being a Christian, is there enough evidence in the medicine chest of your life to convict you?”

When we accept Jesus into our lives, we are called to repent of the things we did that offends God, but not society. That means we should be polite, but truthful. We are called as Christians to be the light not causers of darkness. As Toby Mac sings about we are called to “Speak Life” into the world. This definitely includes how we interact on social media. No matter what we are saying, or where we are saying it, God is always hearing it. We should be loving, but not necessarily accepting of all behaviors. We should be supportive, but not enabling. We should go out of our way to help those who need it, but still push people to improve their situation. We should be the ones neighbors know they can go to when they have a crisis in their lives, not hope the government can help.

If this is not the case in your life - please get with God. Ask God for help in growing closer to Him so you can reflect more of His love in your life. And find some fellow Christians who can help you put your faith into practice.

Our churches should be available to the community, to make a difference in the community. How are our congregations helping families with school aged children keep those students safe while mom or dad or other caregivers have to work? Are we making sure the kids have enough to eat? Have a safe space to learn? Are we providing other adults to talk to if they (caregivers or kids) are having an issue? Are we helping the people in our neighborhoods find work, or get the skills they need to be able to work? Are we a place of first resource instead of place of a place last resort?

If your congregation is not involved like this in your community, it is probably not growing. Ask for help! Pray as a congregation for God to show you how to serve. Or ask for some outside help (shameless plug- ask us!) to build up an outreach ministry.

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