When I was a child my parents would go to auctions, and they would take me. I like auctions, and occasionally I still go.
I remember going to one auction and taking a look before it started. Some of the merchandise was dirty, and some was rusted. I did not have a lot of confidence in the equipment being sold that day.
Appearance was everything to me.
The poor presentation of the merchandise made an impression on me. Beneath the dirt and rust there was once a functioning piece of equipment. It may have still functioned, but I wasn’t sure. It may have come clean with a good scrub, but I was not sure of that either. I was leery of what they were offering. I decided to pass.
They say you can’t judge a book by its cover. That is true to some degree. Have you ever picked up a book that you knew was old by the way it looked and felt? Have you ever picked up a book and knew it was read many times by the way it looked? That could be an indication that someone thought it was a good book. You can tell a lot by observation.
What should a Christian look like? Sound like?
You cannot tell if someone is a Christian simply by the way they look, what they say, and how they act. Being good and looking good is not what it’s all about. Many non-Christians can do as well, and we all fall short of the mark. It really is the heart that counts.
Would someone looking at and listening to you suspect you are a Christian? Much like the outward appearance of an old book can reflect it being old or someone’s favorite, our outward presentation reflects what’s inside of us.
Christians are not guaranteed a wonderful fun-filled life. They are not guaranteed riches and nice things. They are not guaranteed they won’t have problems.
They are guaranteed that God will never leave them, and the grace to see them through.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Philippians 4:6
A Christian’s attitude is a window into their spiritual state and beliefs. What they believe about God and their circumstances is easily observed.
When a non-Christian sees a Christian whining, moaning, and complaining all the time, there are only a few conclusions that the non-Christian can reach. They may think the Christian’s faith is wanting, God is not capable, or the person is not really a Christian.
We all have times we struggle. At those times when you lose focus, seek the Lord and seek out the counsel of a Christian. They’ll help you get your focus back.
LIFE APPLICATION
Key Focal Verse:
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
James 3:17-18
Today’s challenge is to ask God to show you what other folks see when they look at you. Do they see a Christian full of faith? Do they see a believer with problems, but one that takes them to the Lord? Do they hear edification and joy? Do they see Jesus in you?