I know your kind

“Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” (Titus 2:7-8 ESV)

“Oh, so you are a Christian. Yeah, I know your kind. You tell people what they should and should not do, then turn around and do what you told them they should not do.” Wow, have you ever heard something like that before. If you have heard something similar, it is because Paul in Titus was ignored by a Pastor who never preached, a church heard, or a so-called Christian disregarded the message. When people find out you are a Christian, they will put you under a microscope just waiting for you to be inconsistent, hypocritical, rude, or anything other than what a Christian should be, even if they do not know for sure what that is. Your actions, whether you realize it or not, can shape someone's perception of Christianity and even their faith. This is a weighty responsibility, but one that we are called to bear with integrity and truthfulness.

We are not just individuals, but mirrors for God. As the Sun reflects itself in a mirror, the Son reflects Himself through us. Sure, we all slip up. We cannot help our sinful nature but cannot go through life purposely sinning. If one does this, I must question where they are with God. Paul also wrote, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?  By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (Romans 6:1-2 ESV). Knowing that, when we profess our faith in public or when we teach, preach, or relay on the word of God, we must be careful about how it is done. Paul told us how, with dignity, integrity, and, above all, truthfully. We cannot think we can trick people into faith in Christ. We cannot lure them like those in Prosperity Gospel. We must speak the truth so God can do the work. It is not our words that save, but the words God gives us that are the seed or key to the door to the gospel being unlocked. Let us remember our role as mirrors of God and strive to reflect His truth and love in all that we do. 

Lastly, know this: yes, people watch you. People pay attention to what you are doing, but one even greater sees everything you do, EVERYTHING. As Aldo Leopold said, “Ethical behavior is doing the right thing when no one else is watching—even when doing the wrong thing is legal.” Except in the case of the Christian, there is someone is always watching. You cannot hide from the light because the light lives in you. This constant observation, both by others and by God, should not instill fear, but rather a sense of responsibility and a call to constant self-reflection and improvement. Let us strive to live our faith with integrity and truthfulness, knowing that our actions are always under scrutiny, and that we are always accountable to a higher power.

Grace and Peace!