All talk and nothing to show for it ...

Brethren, be followers together of me and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example—Philippians 3:17

The older I get the better I understand that our lives are a greater testimony to who we are, and what we believe than anything we may possibly say. One nonbeliever was overheard to say, “I don’t know what religion that fellow has, but I do know that if I ever get religion, I want what that fellow has got.” So often this is not the case, we get the cart before the horse. We mope about, grumbling about everything from the weather to the critters in the Washington swamp, then wonder why people don’t respond to the gospel when we in all piety “witness” to them. 

Some of us have religion alright but not the kind that anyone really wants.

Paul said to young Titus,

“…in everything make yourself an example of good works with integrity and dignity in your teaching (2:7).”

Not bad advice, not just to young Titus but all of us as well. The kind of advice that will make us not just hearers of the word, but doers. 

Make no mistake, being a disciple is just an affirmative nod in the right direction—that is, touting an old fashioned Hell and brimstone, hallelujah, come to Jesus religion, but fleshing out that message as an example for others.

The truth of the matter, most people know that they are sinners and need help, no one need to rub it in their face. They sense it. Ask any Hindu or Buddhist, or Muslim and they will tell you that. Pharmaceuticals are making fortunes on trying to meet that need, yet for the most part, all the tranquilizers in the world are hardly more than mental Band-Aids covering up old wounds. What the sinner needs is a path forward that is free from sin. Forgiveness will, for the most part, take care of any guilt complex or spiritual emptiness that any of us has or will ever experience. Now, that is not to say that there are not people, Christians and non-believers alike, who have anxieties and sometimes serious psychological problems that need a good psychiatrist or counselor to guide them through tough times, mentally. Truth is, however, most don’t.

Mahatma Gandhi was reported to have said, “I would become a Christian if I could ever meet one.” May you and I strive to be that person. Gandhi is gone, but there are others.

My God give us the wisdom and courage to practice what we preach,

 JimR_/